Course Syllabus

Instructor: Allen Ray

Email: allenfrazerray@gmail.com

Office Hours: by appointment

Mail: mailbox in Newcomb 105

 

PHIL 2930- 01: Philosophy and Film

Summer 2018, Tulane University

MW 6:00pm-8:50pm

Newcomb Hall 18

 

Course Description

In this course we will view six great films and examine them with a view to the philosophical problems they raise. 

 

Course Objectives

Watch, analyze, and interpret six classic films

Gain a basic understanding of the philosophical problems contained within those films

Gain acquaintance with some of the fundamental questions, positions, and arguments philosophers have made about the nature of art, and the relation between art, morality, and human nature.

Address the motives, methods, and goals of philosophy and of film

Produce rigorously argued critical-analytical writing on the issues raised in the class

 

Program Outcomes

Pursuit of fundamental questions regarding the nature of art, knowledge, morality, and politics.

Acquaintance with classics of film and with fundamental texts that contribute to further study in philosophy or in general liberal arts education

Cultivation of analytic and interpretive thinking skills

Cultivation of a clear and effective writing style

 

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, the student should be better able to:

Interpret films and parse difficult texts and complex arguments with greater clarity and rigor.

Construct coherent arguments and support them with evidence

Better understand the history of film    

Proceed in the study of philosophy with greater appreciation and understanding of central philosophical questions, concepts, and arguments.

 

Office Hours

Students are invited and encouraged to seek out individual help and instruction. Office hours are by appointment. Email is the most efficient way to contact your instructor.

 

Course Requirements

I. Film Viewing (in class) and Seminar Participation

There will be six film viewings. Students are expected to attend all sessions, read the required texts, and participate in discussion, and submit a weekly short reading response to facilitate discussion. Participation constitutes 20% of final grade. 

II. Short Interpretive Essays

Student will be assigned weekly essays of 2-5 pages. Each essay is equally weighted. Constitutes 80% of final grade. 

Submission of Papers

Papers may be submitted via hardcopy or by email. Papers are due in class or prior to class on the day of the assigned deadline. Papers received after class time are counted as “late”. Late papers will be penalized by a third of a letter grade per day after the deadline with a maximum late penalty of 2 whole letter grades (eg, a paper that would have otherwise received an A will not receive less than a C due to lateness). If a paper is not submitted, the student will receive a grade of 0% on that paper. It is therefore to your advantage to submit a very late paper rather than not submit one at all. Reading responses cannot be turned in late.

 

No Texting, No Laptops, or other use of technology permitted during class

All cell phones must be turned off and put away. Use of a cell phone in class will result in a reduction of the student’s “Participation and Attendance”. Students who use cell phones in class may be asked to leave that day’s class session. Laptop computers must be closed and put away. The use of electronic copies of course reading is not permitted during class. Individual students may be allowed the use of a laptop if given express permission in response to a documented disability.

 

Tentative Schedule

The following schedule is tentative and will be revised as necessary. Each day I will specify the reading to be covered in the following class discussion. It is your responsibility to stay abreast of the reading assignments, including any alterations to the schedule. If, for whatever reason, you happen to miss a class, please email me or one of your classmates in order to find out the next session’s reading assignment. You are, of course, permitted and encouraged to read ahead and to reread portions already covered.

 

M 7.2 Dunkirk

W 7.4 (Independence Day, No Class)

 

M 7.9 Casablanca

W 7.11

 

M 7.16 The Man who Shot Liberty Valance

W 7.18

 

M 7.23 Crimes and Misdemeanors

W 7.25

 

M 7.30 Twelve Angry Men

W 8.1

 

M 8.6 Roshomon

W 8.8

 

 

 

Grading Guidelines

A- to A = Superior critical reading, thinking, and analytical skills. Demonstrates detailed understanding of course readings. Clear and well organized writing that develops an important issue, argument, or question in a thoughtful way. Textual analysis contains no technical or factual errors. Superior essays are distinguished from good to very good essays by demonstrating critical mastery of the text as well as excellent use of quotations. Proper citation, grammar, and spelling practiced throughout.

 

B- to B+ = Good to Very Good critical reading, thinking, and analytical skills. Demonstrates solid understanding of course readings. Clear and well organized writing that reports important issue, argument, or question yet leaves some important aspect undeveloped. Textual analysis is generally without technical or factual errors. A good to very good paper will contain a definite thesis, define and incorporate concepts appropriately, present a coherent argument, and make a persuasive case for its thesis using convincing evidence. Good to very good papers may also contain well reasoned considerations of plausible alternative theses and counter-arguments. Good use of quotations. Proper citation, grammar, and spelling practiced throughout.

 

C- to C+ = Adequate critical reading, thinking, and analytical skills. Demonstrates basic understanding of course readings. Competent writing that identifies an important issue, argument, or question yet leaves some essential point unexplained, undefined, or unexamined. May reveal some significant misunderstanding of the issues or text. Textual analysis may contain minor technical or factual errors. An adequate essay will contain a definite thesis, define and incorporate concepts appropriately, and present a coherent argument. Correct use of quotations. Proper citation, grammar, and spelling practiced throughout, but may contain minor errors.

 

D- to D+ = Inadequate critical reading, thinking, and analytical skills. Does not demonstrate a basic understanding of the course readings. Below average writing that omits, improperly defines, or misunderstands key issues, arguments, or questions. Reveals some significant misunderstanding of the issues or text. Textual analysis may contain technical or factual errors. An inadequate essay may fail to do one or more of the following: propose a definite thesis, define and incorporate concepts appropriately, present a coherent argument, make a persuasive case using convincing evidence. May contain poor use of quotations as well as improper citation, grammar, or spelling.

 

F = Unacceptable. Demonstrates a lack of serious engagement with the course readings. Little or no attempt to address a key issue, argument, or question. Writing is disorganized, unclear, or undeveloped. Paper may be of insufficient length. Analysis of the text may contain serious errors. Quotations may be incorrect. Citations to the text may be lacking or incorrect.