341 Tillinghast, x2460 Email: askoble@bridgew.edu
Web:
http://webhost.bridgew.edu/askoble
Office hours: M 10-11, T,TH 11-12, or by appointment
Texts:
The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film, Steven M. Sanders, ed. (Univ. Press of
Additional
readings to be distributed in class or via web
For
film viewings, you can either (a) borrow them from your local public library,
(b) rent/stream them from Netflix, or (c) buy/rent/stream them at Amazon
Overview and objectives:
Science fiction can be
defined as that branch of literature, and by extension cinema, which deals with the effects of
science or technology on the human condition, or which explore the human
condition via science (including via utopian or dystopian future
societies). Science fiction allows for imaginative, yet carefully
thought-out, alternative realities, and raises a number of philosophical
questions and themes, including the paradoxes of time travel, enigmas of
personal identity, the implications of advanced technology and artificial
intelligence, and the meaning of life.
Human nature, ethics, and politics may also be explored. This
colloquium will examine ways in which science fiction illuminates many
important philosophical issues, with an eye towards both enhancing the scope of
the students’ exposure to and appreciation of the genre and its roots, and also
towards instilling curiosity about the philosophical dimensions of the genre.
Requirements:
This is a one-credit
class. We will meet once a week to
discuss the readings, and you will write an 8-10 page paper on a topic to be
determined later by mutual agreement, which is due April 24th. In our final meeting, May 1st, we
will discuss the papers.
Required film viewings: Frankenstein
(both the 1931 and the 1994 versions),
Forbidden Planet (1956), The Day the
Earth Stood Still (1951) , Invasion
of the Body Snatchers (both the 1956 and 1978 versions), Total Recall (1990), The
Matrix (first film only, 1999) , The
Terminator (first film only, 1984),
12 Monkeys(1995) , 2001: A Space
Odyssey (1968) , Blade Runner (original
theatrical release only, 1982) , 1984 (1984
version), The Andromeda Strain (1971),
Jurassic Park 1993); others TBA. You must watch the films prior to the day
they are scheduled to be discussed, as well as completing any assigned
readings.
General Outline:
Jan 23 – intro to topic;
opening discussion of science fiction; Frankenstein
Jan 30 - Forbidden Planet
Feb 6 - The Day the Earth
Stood Still
Feb 13 – Invasion of the
Body Snatchers
Feb 22 - Total Recall
and The Matrix (Note: Wednesday meeting this week)
Feb 27- 2001: A Space
Odyssey
Mar 13 - The Terminator
and 12 Monkeys
Mar 20- Blade Runner
Mar 27 - 1984
Apr 3 – The Andromeda Strain and Jurassic
Park
April 10 - TBA
April 24 - Papers due; final
discussion of readings, film TBA
May 5 - discussion of student
papers