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Film and Philosophy
Undergraduate | MAQ-PHIX3065 | 2024
Previously MAQ-PHIX365
Pinpoint the creative crossroad between film and philosophy. See cinema as a subjective experience. Engage in cinematic thinking. Consider the viewpoints of philosophers and filmmakers. Question how and why film has a special way of affecting the viewer.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 18 weeks
HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Film and Philosophy
About this subject
On successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
- examine and appraise developments in philosophy of film that deal with theoretical problems as well as broader philosophical, ethical and cultural issues
- analyse and evaluate the relationship between film and philosophy in contemporary culture.
- investigate and theorise primary and secondary sources and articulate a well-argued philosophical discussion in an essay format.
- apply and explore philosophical theories to specific film/TV examples.
- What is Philosophy of Film/Film-Philosophy?
- Ontologies of the Moving Image
- Understanding Film Narrative
- Cognitivism Goes to the Movies
- Affect and Emotion in Cinema
- Cinematic Ethics
- Film as Philosophy: Pro and Contra
- Film Philosophy Case Studies
This subject was previously known as PHI350, PHIX365 Film and Philosophy.
What can philosophy teach us about cinema? What can cinema show us about philosophy? This subject explores these questions by investigating philosophical, aesthetic, and ethical aspects of our engagement with cinema. We will examine how film itself can explore philosophical problems in visual and narrative terms. We begin with the problems of cinematic representation, visual perception, and the ontology of the moving image. We analyse how film represents our subjective experience by exploring the phenomenology of perception and movement, emotional engagement and time-consciousness, moral psychology and ethical transformation. We study how films can express moral ideas, stage philosophical 'thought experiments', focusing on the provocative claim that films can 'do philosophy' by cinematic means. We consider how narrative and documentary film can contribute to our understanding of love and happiness, personal and cultural identity, environmental challenges and globalisation. Finally, we examine recent developments in film-philosophy responding to digital media and the aesthetics of long-form television series. Overall, the unit aims to show not only how philosophy can help us understand film but how cinema can help us become more imaginative and ethical thinkers.
- Tutorial Participation (15%)
- Film and Philosophy Journal (25%)
- Quizzes (20%)
- Film and Philosophy Essay (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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- 10
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 10
Entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
MAQ-PHI350 (Not currently available)
MAQ-PHIX365 (Not currently available)
Others
Pre-requisite
130cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (pre-2020 units) PHI350, PHL365, PHIL365, PHIX365
NCCW (2020 and onwards)
PHIL3065 Film and Philosophy
Additional requirements
- Other requirements -
Some films will need to be purchased or hired
Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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