"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:
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
