Philosophy in Film and Literature
The class Philosophy In Film and Literature is commonly called PILF, pronounced as in pilfer. One who is in the class is called a PILFer.
The Human Machine, another philosophy class more science-centered, often joined up with PILF to watch movies or for larger group discussions.
Actually a PILF - SEL discussion thing would have been interesting but our teacher was worried about how your teacher would react after the lemonade incident so we decided just to keep it cool.
PILF... what to say? How about... THE MOST AMAZING CLASS EVER!!! The instructors keep switching, so I can only speak as a student of Dr. (Scuba) Steve Benko and Meredith (the) Farmer. Here's the course description from 2005:
PHILOSOPHY IN LITERATURE AND FILM (Score Table B)
What is a human being? What does it mean to be human? Technological development has called into question the assumption that all humans are united by a common feature, attribute or capability. This has affected philosophy and religion, but also literature, art, anthropology, sociology, and history. Using movies, literature, and philosophical and religious writings, this course will investigate the move from humanism to posthumanism. We will come to an understanding of the various ways human nature and identity have been configured, recently reconfigured, and the consequences for ethics, culture and community. At the end of the course, students will be able to articulate a critical theory of technology that explains their own understanding of what it means to be human and takes an ethical stance towards the development and use of technology.
- Content Area: Humanities
- Offered: East Term II
Note: this class has been known to build blind belief in communism/marxism. In 2005, this sparked a feud between PILF and SEL (a class about money and capitalism). See Biddle.
[edit] PILF 2011
PILF came back to East afresh in 2011, but despite a very promising course description about intriguing critical analysis of popular film and literature, the teacher decided he would treat it as "an Intro to Philosophy course," thereby causing a LOT of drama throughout the term. The TA Jesse, however, was very hot and said amusing things, so it was okay.
Mel Weyant, to the dismay of tipsters in the class, shared at Honey's that the PILF class used to be one of the best that TiP offered. She offered her condolences for the dead course.
