Year 10 Philosophy in Popular Film
Course Outline
What if all of this is just a dream? What if computers could think and feel emotions? With
what sort of attitude should we face the hardships of life? Do we have a responsibility to
look after the environment? If we have the money and power to do so, should we take
the law into our own hands?
Year 10 Discovery Course Which Year 11 course does it lead to?
l Philosophy in Popular Film Leads to Philosophy and Ethics (ATAR), or
Religion, Spirituality and Life (General)
Working to answer these questions, and many others besides, through clear and careful
thinking, is what Philosophy is all about. These are also examples of questions that are
raised by popular films such as The Matrix, Ex Machina, Gladiator, Avatar and Batman:
The Dark Knight.
In this course, popular film is used as a stimulus for philosophical discussions and study.
Students will grapple with the big questions of existence, knowledge and morality. They
will be guided through this process by the writing of the great thinkers of the past such as
Rene Descartes, John Locke and Marcus Aurelius. As well as contemporary philosophers
including Peter Singer, John Rawls and Noam Chomsky. Students will develop the ability to
create and evaluate reasoned arguments. They will learn to be tolerant of uncertainty and
they will develop a willingness to listen to and understand the views of others.
Pathways to Year 11 and 12 study in Philosophy and Ethics (ATAR), Religion and Life
(General).
Contact:
The Reverend Canon Dr Philip Raymont
Head of Faculty, Religion Philosophy and Ethics
[email protected]
Year 10
2018
20