ClassInfo

DC 227 Film Philosophy

Ronald Eltanal

Office: CDM 501
Spring 2013-2014
Class number: 30299
Section number: 301
W 1:00PM - 4:15PM
STDCT R0330 Lincoln Park Campus

Summary

An introduction to philosophy, using film as a lens through which philosophical ideas are examined. In discussion and writing, students analyze narrative or documentary films (classic or contemporary) on enduring philosophical questions such as: what is truth; what is right; or what is the meaning of life.



Texts

Required: Litch, Mary. Philosophy Through Film. Routledge, 2nd edition, 2010.

Recommended (Optional): Falzon, Christopher. Philosophy Goes to the Movies. Routledge. Second Edition. 2010.

Course Management System: This course will be managed on CDM's COLWeb.


Grading

Grading Scale
A: 93-100, A-: 90-92, B+: 87-89, B: 83-86, B-: 80-82, C+: 77-79, C: 73-76, C-: 70-72, D+: 67-69, D: 63-66, D-: 60-62
Discussion Questions and Class Participation: 40 %
Midterm Exam: 25%
Final Paper: 35%


Prerequisites

None


Assignments:

LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Discussion Question Response Papers:
After each film, a set of discussion questions will be posted under "Assignments." Write a minimum one-page (250 words total for ALL questions, and I will check word count) response paper, and upload the .doc or .pdf to "Assignments." There will be a total of eight of these assignments in the course. You will be graded with a + for excellent response, X for satisfactory response, or 0 for unsatisfactory or no response. One assignment will be submitted for revision.

Discussion question responses are due on the class after they are assigned.

Midterm Exam:
There will be a midterm exam. Online students will have the option of attending the midterm in the regularly scheduled class, or will need to schedule a proctored midterm (an e-mail with details on the midterm for online students will be forthcoming). Please let me know if you need any exam accommodations (for example, if you are a PLUS student), as soon as possible. Makeups will only be allowed for excused absences.

Research Paper:
In lieu of a final, you will write a research paper, 5-7 pages long. Citations and a short bibliography must be included for each paper. All papers must be submitted using TurnItIn.com.

Topic: Meaning of Life
* Choose an existential position.
* Research the primary or non-textbook secondary sources that articulate this position (you cannot use ANY textbook as a source, and you cannot use online only sources, like Wikipedia).
* Find any two films that deal with or illustrate this existential position (you cannot use a film that was shown in class or is discussed in the textbook).

In the paper:
* Briefly describe the chosen existential position (be sure to cite primary and non-textbook secondary sources to support your summary).
* Analyze the two films and describe how the film illustrates or deals with this existential position.
* Compare and contrast how this existential position and the films' treatments of that position relate to your own articulation of the "meaning of life." Through this comparison, you should be able to articulate your own personal meaning of life.


Learning Domain Description:

DC 227 Film Philosophy is included in the Liberal Studies program as a course with credit in the Philosophical Inquiry domain. Philosophical Inquiry examines the most basic questions of human existence. It considers the fundamental beliefs and convictions that shape what it means to be human, our relationships with others, and the nature of the world itself. Its aim is to develop our critical, imaginative, and analytical abilities, and it enables students to understand various kinds of important intellectual problems from a variety of perspectives and approaches, interpret and assess historical and contemporary texts concerned with these issues, and articulate reasoned judgments about these most basic concerns of human life. Philosophical inquiry is thus committed to the task of reflecting on the ideas and events that make up the cultures, societies, and traditions within which we live and to enhancing our understanding of their significance and complexity. Courses in Philosophical Inquiry support the mission of the Liberal Studies Program by fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of the worlds of meaning and of value and of the enterprise of intellectual inquiry and social dialogue.

Learning Outcomes
1. Using multiple perspectives, students will be able to address, critically think about, and analyze philosophical questions and problems.
2. Students will be able to evaluate philosophical questions, issues and/or problems using informed judgment. Students will be able to analyze and interpret the methods used by philosophers in addressing philosophical questions, issues, and/or problems.
3. Students will be able to develop an understanding of the historical context of philosophical topics, figures, and texts.
4. Students will be able to write an analytic essay treating a philosophical question, issue and/or problem that forwards an identifiable thesis, argument, and conclusion.
5. Students will be able to address, critically think about, and analyze ethical issues, applying philosophical tools drawn from various ethical traditions to concrete cases pertinent to a variety of subject matters.

How Learning Outcomes Will Be Met
1. Through the assignment of screenings of multiple films, students will be provided multiple perspectives, and begin with a common text from which they can address, think critically about, and analyze philosophical questions and problems.
2. Through the assignment of multiple response papers, students will evaluate philosophical questions, issues and/or problems using informed judgment. In these papers, students will analyze and interpret the methods used by philosophers in addressing philosophical questions, issues, and/or problems.
3. Through the assignment of readings from the required textbook, students will be able to develop an understanding of the historical context of philosophical topics, figures, and texts.
4. Through the assignment of a larger, final paper, students will write an analytic essay treating a philosophical question, issue and/or problem that forward an identifiable thesis, argument, and conclusion.
5. In one particular assigned reading, film screening, and response paper, students will address, critically think about, and analyze ethical issues, applying philosophical tools drawn from various ethical traditions to concrete cases pertinent to a variety of subject matters.

Writing Expectations:
Students will be expected to complete a minimum of 10 pages of writing for this course. This writing may take the form of essays, response papers, reading journals, take-home essay exams, critical analyses, etc. At least one assignment should involve revision, which may count (but only once, not twice) towards the 10-page minimum.

How Writing Expectations Will Be Met
1. Students will write eight, one-page response papers on assigned readings and films, based on discussion question prompts.
2. Students will write one, five- to seven-page final research paper.
3. One response paper will be revised.
4. Total pages written for the course equals 13 to 15 pages (30 to 50 percent higher than the minimum requirement for the learning domain).


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296