Sections offered SPRING 2024:
#33626 |
LUKASZ SICINSKI |
M 4:45-7:15 pm | BH 229 |
***Knowledge of Polish language and culture not required**
Why do we commit transgressive acts? Are the lines between good and evil always clear? How do we deal with moral conflict and moral ambiguity? Are we responsible for actions that are beyond our control? What is loyalty? Is it always moral to obey the law?
These are some of the questions that we will ask in this class. This course is designed to focus on film as a means of exploring the complexity of the human condition. We will concentrate on cinematic representations of human struggles to give meaning to life and to cope with life’s moral challenges. The range of issues discussed in this course will include representations of existential crisis; issues of dignity and victimization; relations between the law and morality; and the problem of the ambiguity of evil.
The course examines these issues in the context of Polish cinema, with a focus on its finest classic and contemporary achievements. Known for their subversive content and bold style, these films will be approached as a series of experiments that question the principles of ethics and explore the limits of morality.
This is a student-centered course in which active participation is crucial for a productive classroom atmosphere. You will be expected to critically engage with the material and share your ideas with the rest of the class through class discussions, presentations, and collaborative projects. The course is designed to encourage you to explore the material from your own perspective and to engage in your own learning.
This class meets with SLAV-P 366.