USSY 287N - Fantasy and Philosophy

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

Fantasy novels and films can be philosophical catalysts. One can read philosophical arguments and debate ethical and epistemological issues. Or, one can become immersed in a work of art and imagination that presents a fiction expressing the same profound human issues. Such a work dramatizes philosophical debates and conflicts, and hurls readers and viewers into poignant, gripping, suspenseful, horrific, or beautiful stories that convey those very same struggles with truth and morality. Indeed, while many philosophical works are inaccessible to everyone but those with a specialized vocabulary (or prescient ability to discern tortured language), literary and cinematic works actually stimulate a different part of the brain. The ideas are conveyed and processed differently, and this is why works of fiction can have such poignant and lasting effects on the emotions, provoke us to meditate on the grave and constant in human sufferings, and revisit those works as we relive our own struggles with truth, morality, love, identity, conflict, violence, and death. In this course students will read short works of fiction and philosophy, and watch films that delve into philosophical issues. These include selections from The Seventh Seal, Dr. Strangelove, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Star Trek, Futurama, House, M.D., True Blood, Dexter, Woman in the Dunes, The Denial of Death, The Dharma of Dragons and Daemons, Death's Dream Kingdom, Thus Spake Zarathustra, Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature, Serial Killers and Philosophy, and The Bhagavad Gita. Students who have taken USSO 286W for credit may not take this course. Prereq: Passing letter grade in a 100 level first year seminar in USFS, FSSY, FSCC, FSNA, FSSO or FSCS. Prereq or Coreq: FSTS 100

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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