USD Phil 110 S13 Wed: Essay Prompt

Your assignment is to watch a film of your choosing and then write a 3-4 page paper in which you relate the themes and issues raised in your film to one of the philosophers we have studied this semester. In writing your essay, you should pay particular attention to the end of the film as this is often the point where the filmmakers most clearly present their own philosophical position. A successful essay will do the following:
  • Contain a strong theses statement in which you clearly explain what you will be discussing in your paper and the perspective you will adopt.
  • Clearly articulate the themes in the film.
  • Clearly articulate the views of the philosopher you will be writing about.
  • Explain how your film relates to the philosopher by citing specific scenes or moments in the film.
You may not write your paper on the following films:
  • Inception
  • Apocalypto
  • Any film in the Matrix trilogy
  • Any film that we have or will watch in class.
Your paper should be typed, double-spaced in 10-12 point legible font with 1" margins. The paper is due in class on Wednesday, April 24. In addition to the final draft, you will also need to complete a number of pre-writing assignments. These assignments will not be graded, but failure to complete them will result in an F on your paper.
  1. On Wednesday, April 3 you will need to bring a copy of your thesis statement to class.
  2. On Wednesday, April 10 you will need to bring two copies of a draft of your paper to class for in class peer editing.
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