The first part of the course will examine
the origins and nature of the most basic questions
philosophy raises:
What is there in the universe or outside of it?
What is knowledge, how may we reach the truth?
How should we decide what is valuable?
How should we live our lives?
The course will furnish broad outlines of
the four branches of philosophy that treat
these questions: ontology, epistemology, axiology,
and praxiology. Beginning with ancient Egyptian
and ending with contemporary African American
reflections, the course will sample a wide
range of Africana philosophy. The special interest
of the course will be to examine answers to
these questions found in films expressing Africana
experience. If her schedule permits, Dr. Françoise
Pfaff of Howard’s Department of Modern
Languages will present a lecture on Hollywood’s
image of Africa in the first part of the course.
The precise content of the first part of the
course will be determined by the students’ backgrounds
in philosophy.
The second part of the course will pursue
Cynthia Freeland and Thomas Wartenberg’s
idea that “the relationship between
philosophy and film is not one-way: While
philosophy can bring out important aspects
of films, film also can challenge philosophy
to think of itself and its questions in new
ways” (Philosophy and Film, 1-2). The
course will philosophize about film as an
aesthetic object, comparing theories of film
criticism with literary criticism. However,
its primary interest is in uncovering hidden
expressions of philosophy in film.
The course will analyze West African, Caribbean,
and United States films selected by consensus
among students and the instructor. The selection
may include films such as Keita (The History
of the Griot), Ta Dona, Saaraba, Yeelen,
Taafe Fanga, Genesis, Sarraounia, Black Shack
Alley, Black Orpheus, Daughters of the Dust
and other films by contemporary African American
directors.
