Fear, Anxiety, and Courage in Philosophy and Film module (PI31022)

Explore how philosophers have conceptualised fear, anxiety and courage as core components of freedom. Learn how these are represented through theoretical texts and films

Credits

Module code

PI31022

Level

Semester

Semester 1

School

School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

Discipline

Humanities

In modernity, anxiety entered the ranks of philosophical concepts. From Kierkegaard to Heidegger to psychoanalytic thought, this module traces how fear, anxiety, and courage have been conceptualised across nineteenth- and twentieth-century philosophy.

You'll examine Heidegger's influential distinction between fear (which always has an object) and anxiety (which is without object), and his argument that anxiety, by shattering certainties, liberates us and opens up the possibility of freedom. This module explores how anxiety, courage, and freedom are systematically linked, and how different philosophical traditions have responded to these ideas.

A distinctive feature of the module is its use of film as a medium for testing and applying philosophical theory. You'll examine a variety of films through philosophical and psychoanalytic lenses, developing the capacity to bring philosophical concepts to bear on concrete cultural objects.

Film screenings are scheduled as part of the module. All teaching takes place through lectures and tutorials.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

Examine different approaches to the philosophical and psychoanalytic concepts of fear, anxiety, and courage
Engage with key philosophical positions from the nineteenth and twentieth century, including existentialist and psychoanalytic approaches
Explore how anxiety, courage, and freedom are systematically linked in philosophical thought
Analyse a variety of films through philosophical and psychoanalytic lenses
Develop skills in bringing philosophical concepts to bear on concrete cultural phenomena

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts of fear, anxiety, courage, and their relation to freedom
Show familiarity with influential philosophical positions from the nineteenth and twentieth century
Critically examine the scope of philosophical concepts in relation to concrete cultural phenomena
Evaluate different philosophical positions and bring them into critical dialogue
Apply skills developed with unfamiliar material to different and contemporary contexts