FLM 3690 - The Matrix: Film And Philosophy

Institution:

Babson College

Subject:

Description:

2.00 credits FLM3690 The Matrix: Film & Philosophy 2 credit Advanced Liberal Arts "Welcome to the desert of the real," says Morpheus in The Matrix, the 1991 film that has achieved cult status. Its technological innovations and dazzling visual style reinvigorated the science-fiction film genre. The Matrix raises many philosophical questions: How do we perceive the external world How can we know if our experiences are illusory Would it matter if they are What is the relationship of dreams to waling life How do our actions express moral choices What is self-knowledge These and other questions explored by ethics, metaphysics, Existentialism, mysticism, Buddhism, and postmodernism permeate the film. This class will analyze the philosophical issues raised by the film and relate them to its densely layered visual style. Readings will include the book Philosophers Explore the Matrix (Christopher Grau, ed. Oxford UP, 2005) and the chapter titled "Postmodernism and Aesthetic Production" from the book Screening Space (Vivian Sobchack, Rutgers UP, 1999). Our analysis will center on The Matrix, which will be screened, and not its two sequels. Prerequisites: (3 Intermediate Liberal Arts; HSS, LVA, CVA)

Credits:

2.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.babson.edu

Phone Number:

(781) 235-1200

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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