COURSE OUTLINE FILM-260 Film and Philosophy 3 Semester Hours HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE Description An exploration and comparison of philosophical approaches explored within the art form of film. Focus is on major theories of reality (metaphysics), knowledge (epistemology) and value (axiology) and on the canons of film studies. Prerequisite: Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121. (3 hours weekly) NOTE: Also listed as PHIL-260. Statement on General Education and Liberal Learning A liberal education prepares students to lead ethical, productive, and creative lives and to understand how the pursuit of lifelong learning and critical thinking fosters good citizenship. General education courses form the core of a liberal education within the higher education curriculum and provide a coherent intellectual experience for all students by introducing the fundamental concepts and methods of inquiry in the areas of mathematics, the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences, the arts and the humanities, and composition. This course is part of the general education core experience at Howard Community College. Overall Course Objectives At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Explore the power of film to raise profound philosophical questions and analyze their impact on the living of a human life. 2. Analyze the ability of a film to raise and explore questions about the true metaphysical nature of reality. 3. Evaluate the question of what constitutes human nature, by exploring film portrayals of androids. 4. Explore cinematic depictions of the afterlife. 5. Analyze theories of epistemology as explored in film. 6. Explore cinematic portrayals of philosophical tests for truth. 7. Explore the philosophical relationship between truth and beauty. 8. Analyze philosophical theories of the relationship between the individual and the state. 9. Analyze questions of justice, as portrayed philosophically in film. 10. Analyze ethical decision making, as explored cinematically. 11. Explore the Buddhist worldview, including metaphysics, epistemology, axiology. 12. Explore indigenous worldviews. 13. Analyze films that are overtly and self-consciously philosophical.Major Topics I. Philosophical views of human nature as shown in film: essentialist, existentialist, protean views, Asian and African views of Personhood. II. Cosmological and ontological views of reality as shown in film: materialism, idealism, pragmatism, existentialism, Buddhist, Taoist, African worldviews. III. Philosophical views of Ultimate Reality (God, Tao, Oneness, e.g.) as depicted in film. IV. Epistemology as depicted in film: sources of reliable knowledge, tests for truth, value of aesthetic experience. V. Questions of value as explored in film: the individual versus the state, justice, personal moral decision-making. Course Requirements Grading/exams: Grading procedures will be determined by the individual faculty member. Other Course Information This course is an Arts and Sciences, Fine Arts and Humanities