PHI 3930                                 Spring, 2004                                       Prof. Charles Guignon           

Office: FAO 213      Hours: Thurs. 12:00-2:00 & by appointment            Phone: 974-9839

E-mail: guignon@chuma1.cas.usf.edu         Home phone (before 8:00 PM): 994-2719

 

                                          Philosophy in Film and Literature

 

Texts: Achebe, THINGS FALL APART

            Dostoevsky, THE GRAND INQUISITOR

            Tolstoy, THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYCH

            Rilke, LETTERS TO A YOUNG POET

            Barth, THE FLOATING OPERA

            Atwood, THE HANDMAID’S TALE

            Guignon & Pereboom, eds., EXISTENTIALISM: BASIC WRITINGS

 

Films:  The Black Robe

In the Bedroom

Ikiru

American Beauty

            Equus

            Red Desert

            Dead Man

            The Unbearable Lightness of Being

 

Course Plan:

 

We will explore different ways of understanding the self and its relation to the world as these appear in a wide range of literary works and films.  The presentation will be roughly historical, tracing outlooks and conceptions of reality as they evolve from traditional and theocentric views to modern enlightenment, romantic and naturalist views, and from there to postmodern and post-postmodern outlooks.   Philosophical themes include: conceptions of the good life, different conceptions of cosmic order, our relation to nature, the limits of science, and the questions of free will, commitment, personal identity, community, faith, gender, authenticity, the significance of death, and the loss of meaning in the modern world.  The ideas of major philosophers will be discussed as a background for approaching the works.  

 

I will begin by presenting one perspective on the work studied that week.  Students should ask questions, make suggestions, or introduce alternative perspectives at any time during the class.  BRING THE BOOK CURRENTLY BEING DISCUSSED TO CLASS WITH YOU.  It is best to have the required editions of the books in order to be able to refer, both in class and on written work, to specific pages in the readings.

 

Those who miss a film or part of a film may see it at the Media Center, 6th floor, Library.

 

 

Tentative schedule:

 

Jan. 8                           Introduction

Jan. 13-20                    Achebe (all);  Existentialism, pp. 93-96, 119-122

Jan. 15                         The Black Robe,  Editor’s Introduction to Dostoevsky

Jan. 22-Feb. 3              Dostoevsky (all);  Existentialism, pp. xvii-xxi, 78-79

Feb. 5                          In the Bedroom;  Existentialism, pp. xiv-xvii, xxi-xxv, 96-104

Feb. 10-17                   Tolstoy, Ivan Ilych;  Existentialism, pp. 196-210, 246-253

Feb. 12                        Ikiru

Feb. 19-24                   Rilke;  Existentialism, pp. 233-236

Feb. 26                        American Beauty

Mar. 4                          Equus;  Existentialism, pp. 101- 104, 141-142, 166-171

Mar. 18-23                  Barth (all);  Existentialism, pp. 255-275, 290-302, 352-355

Mar. 25                        Red Desert:  Existentialism, pp. 243-246

Apr. 1                          Dead Man;  Existentialism, pp. 107-111,  176-181

Apr. 6-13                     Atwood (all);  Existentialism, pp. 324-344

Apr. 15                        The Unbearable Lightness of Being

 

Requirements:

 

Most of the philosophical ideas will be presented in class, so attendance is extremely important.  Note that 20% of your grade is class participation (attendance and contributions).  Read the assigned text before class, and be prepared to ask questions.  Bring the book with you to class.

 

Every three weeks or so you will be asked to turn in a reflection (about 3 pages long, if typewritten) on the materials we have been discussing in the preceding weeks.  Topics will be handed out in class.  Grading will be based on: (1) mastery of the materials discussed in class, (2) grasp of the text or film, and (3) originality, depth, clarity and effectiveness of writing.  Reflections turned in over three class days late will not be accepted. 

 

Your choice of a take-home final exam or an in-class final exam.  The exam will be comprehensive.  Written materials may not be sent over e-mail.

 

Grading:         Reflections                    40%

                        Final Exam                   40%

                        Class participation        20%

 

Plagiarism is the use of any direct quotation of a few words or more, even with minor changes, without proper credit being given to the original source.  Materials taken from any source (other than the lectures for this course), including the Internet, must be cited, giving author and page number in your paper after the quotation and full details in a “References” section at the end of your paper.  I will be using Turnitin.com to check for plagiarism.  Cheating may result in a grade of “FF” for the course.  Though short quotes should be used to support your interpretations, your papers primarily should be a product of your own understanding of the course materials and reflections, in your own words.

 

Students who miss class because of religious observance should inform the instructor in advance.  Arrangements should be made to make up missed work.  Students who are absent more than three classes during the semester should present a medical excuse.  Arrangements must be made to make up missed work.  Papers turned in after the due date will be penalized one increment of a grade (a “+” or “-“) for each class day the paper is late.