20809258Philosophy Through Film
Course Information
Description
This course is a general introduction to philosophy for students who may or may not be interested in taking any further philosophy classes. It will use the uniquely vivid and compelling medium of film to introduce students to important philosophical questions about such things as personal identity, consciousness, ethics and morality, freewill and determinism, the limits of knowledge, time travel, and the possibility of intelligent machines. Readings that explore the topics introduced through the assigned films will be drawn from a range of authors from both Western and non-Western philosophical traditions. Students' ability to think critically and creatively will be developed through the exploration of proposed answers to various philosophical questions with an emphasis on how to evaluate the reasons given in support of and in opposition to proposed answers.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
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Explain a number of important philosophical problems, their relevance to our everyday lives, and solutions to those problems proposed by various major philosophersAssessment StrategiesQuizzes, homework assignments, in class discussions, writing assignmentsCriteriasummarize accurately a variety of problems central to philosophyexplain accurately how those problems are relevant to everyday lifedistinguish and summarize accurately a variety of solutions to the philosophical problems discussed in the class
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Identify important philosophical problems and ideas in filmsAssessment StrategiesQuizzes, homework assignments, in class discussions, writing assignmentsCriteriaidentify philosophical problems, questions, and/or themes present in filmsexplain how individual scenes are relevant to the identified philosophical problem, question and/or theme
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Apply critical thinking skills including: clarifying concepts; interpreting thought experiments, examples and scenarios; and analyzing argumentsAssessment StrategiesQuizzes, homework assignments, in class discussions, and/or writing assignmentsCriteriadefine key terms and conceptsidentify premises and conclusions in arguments in assigned readings and filmsoutline the structure of arguments in assigned readings and filmsinterpret thought experiments, etc. and their relevance to philosophical issuesoffer counterexamples
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Evaluate philosophical arguments, thought experiments, and counterexamplesAssessment StrategiesQuizzes, homework assignments, in class discussions, and/or writing assignmentsCriteriaassess the strengths and weaknesses of arguments, thought experiments, and counter examplesdefend assessments by providing reasons in support of the assessments
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Develop arguments for verbal presentationAssessment StrategiesClass discussions, in-class small group activities, and/or class presentationsCriteriademonstrate knowledge of assigned readingscommunicate ideas clearly to othersformulate your own views on issues being discussed and give supporting reasons
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Develop arguments for written presentationAssessment StrategiesWriting one or more papers critically discussing a philosophical problem and proposed solutionsCriteriastate the problem clearlyprovide a clear explanation of one or more proposed solutions to the problempresent the most important criticisms and objections to the solutions explainedevaluate the important criticisms and objections and give supporting reasons
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Demonstrate respect for different points of viewAssessment StrategiesQuizzes, homework assignments, in class discussions, and/or writing assignmentsListening actively in classCriteriasummarize accurately different views discussed in assigned readingsstate fairly and accurately the views of others in class with whom you disagree
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Employ self-regulationAssessment StrategiesDemonstrate self-examination and self-correction throughout the class learning experienceCriteriareflect consciously on your own reasoningrespond positively to constructive feedbackrevise your own position, if needed, in light of feedbackstrive to support all positions accepted and all positions rejected with thoughtful, carefully constructed arguments