"Contemporary Media and the Great Books: A New Approach to the Classics" offers an innovative approach for the introduction of high school students to classic works of philosophy and literature that have shaped our intellectual heritage and tradition. Our curriculum links selections from the works of many of the great thinkers and poets of Western civilization, such as Plato, Rousseau and Shakespeare, with scenes from classical and contemporary American films. The films provide concrete and accessible contemporary examples of the problems and issues students encounter in the readings. We hope that by juxtaposing books and films in this manner students will become more careful and thoughtful readers and moviegoers. Although this curriculum intends to help prepare students for a liberal arts education, it also seeks to educate human beings and citizens who are capable of exercising their highest human capacities for deliberation, self-governance, and understanding.

Teachers may combine any units of the curriculum for a year-long elective in, for example, "Great Ideas and Film," or they may select any unit for inclusion in literature or social studies courses. The units are designed so that they may be used independently of one another, or grouped together in a course. Any of the units might also find a place in a high school curriculum as "a short course" or module. Each of our six units includes 1) a guide for teachers and students, which discusses the theme of the unit, and the rationale for its selections; 2) approximately four or five short selections from works of philosophy and literature, and related scenes from several films; and 3) questions for class discussion for each reading and film selection, and suggestions for paper topics. We recommend that students watch the entire film, whether inside or outside of class, but our curriculum offers specific scenes (approximately 2-4 minutes long) for viewing in class in order to facilitate discussion.The six units are:

I.   POLITICS & MORALITY

II.   SELF-LOVE & AMBITION

III.   PROPERTY, COMMERCE &
         THE ROMANTIC CRITIQUE

IV.   SLAVERY, RACE &         AMERICAN LIBERALISM

V.   WAR & PEACE

VI.   LOVE & POLITICS

OVERVIEW OF CURRICULUM


* This curriculum was prepared by doctoral students in political philosophy at Fordham University, under the direction of Mary Nichols, with the help of Carly Riisager and David Nichols, and with the support of the Achelis and Bodman Foundations. We are grateful for the work on individual units by Carly Kinsella Riisager, Carl Scott, John David Alvis, Erin Conner, and Bryan Smith, and especially to the Achelis and Bodman Foundations, which made this work possible. Web design by Carly Riisager. Please send any comments to greatbooks@greatbooksandfilm.com


 

 

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