Description: An interdisciplinary
course that explores the ideas of good and evil as expressed in film and
literary works, with some reading in moral philosophy. Some of the questions
we shall explore are: Why be good? Can we say a person is good even though
doing bad things from time to time? What justifies our judgments of what
is good or evil--are these objective concepts discernible through rational
thought, or are they subjective concepts based on feelings and emotions?
To what extent are we accountable or responsible for our actions? Can evil
actions give rise to good results? What is the relationship between
instinct and morality? Can nature be evil, or is it beyond ethical
standards? How do film and literature help us think about these questions--what
are the ways in which they are effective, and what are their limitations?
Requirements: Participation in class discussions (10%); two 5-7 page papers (60%); several one-page reaction papers (30%). Attendance is required--excessive absences will result in a lower grade for the course.
Office Hours:
Reading: Machiavelli, The
Prince, and Mandragola; Toni Morrison, Beloved; Shakespeare,
Measure
for Measure; R.L. Stevenson, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; Masuji
Ibuse, Black Rain; Truman Capote, In Cold Blood; Aeschylus,
Libation
Bearers; Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights; Freud,
Civilization
and its Discontents; and a few shorter works that are in a course packet
on reserve at the library. Recommended films in italics are available at
the campus library; recommended readings in italics are on reserve at the
campus library; other recommended films may be available at the
Boca
library or at a rental outlet.
Reading: Genesis (2-3); Plato, "The Ring of Gyges" Republic (357b-362d); Milton, Paradise Lost, from Book XII Film: Luis Bunuel's The Young One (1961, 95 min.) Recommended film: Night of the Hunter
On the web: Bible: Revised standard version ; King James version; Plato's Republic; "No Blacks or Whites: The Making of Luis Bunuel's 'The Young One'"
Reading: Rousseau, excerpt from "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality" (pp. 51-57), and "Discourse on the Sciences and the Arts"; Dostoyevsky, "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man" Film: Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (1990; excerpts) Assignment 1 Due
Reading: The Marquis de Sade, "Yet Another Effort, Frenchmen, If you Would Become Republicans," in Justine, Philosophy in the Bedroom, and other writings (Grove Weidenfeld, 1965), pp. 296-300, 307-339; and Freud, Civilization and its Discontents (chapters 1-5, 7-8). Film: Francois Truffaut's The Wild Child (1970, 90 min) Recommended Reading: Richard Taylor, Good and Evil, chapters 1-2; John Perry, Dialogue on good, evil, and the existence of God Recommended films: Treasure of the Sierra Madre; A Simple Plan; Angel on my Shoulder (1946) On the web: Chronology of Sade's life
Reading: Masuji Ibuse, Black Rain Film: Jean Renoir's The Grand Illusion (1937, 111 min.) Recommended films: Rome: Open City; Apocalypse Now; Platoon; The Blue Dahlia; Ministry of Fear; Deerhunter; Imamura's Black Rain Recommended reading: Alexander Sesonske, Jean Renoir, chapter 18 (on Grand Illusion); Stanley Milgram, Obedience to Authority
Reading: Truman Capote, In Cold Blood Films: Luis Bunuel's Los Olvidados (1951, 88 min.); Edgar Ulmer's Detour (1945, 69 min.) Recommended reading: Melville, Billy Budd
Reading: Shakespeare, Measure for Measure Film: William Wyler's Detective Story (1951, 103 min.) Recommended Reading: Richard Taylor, Good and Evil, chapters 12-15
Reading: Aeschylus, Libation Bearers Film: Fritz Lang's Fury (1936, 94 min.) Recommended films: Deathwish; Try and Get Me; The Ox-Bow Incident
Reading: Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights; Richard Taylor, Good and Evil, chapters 16, 17 (pp. 247-end) Films: Stephen Frears' Dangerous Liaisons (1988, 118 min.); David Lean's Brief Encounter (1946, 85 min.) Recommended Reading: Theodor Fontane, Effi Briest; Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Books 8-9; Erich Fromm, The Art of Loving Recommended films: Unfaithful; Eyes Wide Shut; The Third Man; Jules and Jim; Criss Cross; The Suspect; Gilda; Star Trek: "City on the Edge of Forever" (written by Harlan Ellison)