Ithaca College

Register for this one-credit seminar (IISP 10115). Eligible for one of three free winter credits. Class Sessions : January 4th ~ 22nd / MWF 11:30-12:50 (ET).

Course Overview

This course will introduce students to timeless philosophical questions and issues through film. Students will read philosophical texts and watch complementary movies that lead them to think about philosophical questions from diverse perspectives and in different contexts. By pairing philosophical writings with movies, this course will guide students to find the joy of philosophical conversations.

Tentative Topics

• The existence of God and the problem of evil
• The nature of mind, the problem of other minds, and “Can machines think?”
• Utilitarianism and the overdemandingness problem
• Moral luck, freewill and determinism.
• Personal identity and moral responsibility

Course Format & Requirement

• Synchronous lectures and discussions over Zoom
• Interactive reading assignments and film assignments.
• Students will be expected to watch assigned films prior to class discussions.
• Forum posts and five short writing assignments