Curriculum Action Notice

From:

Academic Affairs Committee

Date:

November 16, 2005

This is a bulletin from the Academic Affairs Committee concerning proposed curricular actions. Please forward any comments or concerns in the next 10 days to the AAC chair, Jannis Floyd, Retan Center 208-D, ext. 4795, jfloyd@mansfield.edu.

Curricular Action Notice: Philosophy

New Course

PHL 2350 Philosophy and Popular Culture
Purpose: Using a variety of contemporary examples and case studies from American culture, the course will demonstrate philosophy’s relevance in the mainstream, popular culture. Course emphasizes development in critical thought, analysis and communication skills and written assignments from class can be used to fulfill general education portfolio requirement necessary for graduation.

Catalog Description:
Contemporary television programs, films and popular novels often deal with substantive issues and theoretical questions that philosophers have explored since the Ancient Greeks. Scenarios developed with skill and imagination in popular culture provide us with compelling illustrations of subject matter central to Philosophy; analyzing that material from a philosophical perspective is both entertaining and intellectually fruitful. Occasionally, the themes developed in popular culture go beyond illustration of previously developed ideas and take philosophical thought to unexpected levels, providing fresh stimulus for deeper philosophical reflection. Assignments from this course can be used to fulfill the general education portfolio requirements in critical thinking, communication, and analysis.