This last film analysis requires you to watch the film, The Dark Knight, through an ethical lens (you can find a link to the film here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/ (Links to an external site.)). With this film, you will be asked to apply what you’ve learned about the Utilitarian and Kantian views of ethics. One question will guide your analysis: Is Batman moral? In what way? What is his ethical approach? What will he do and what won’t he do?
To answer these questions, choose one scene in the film that you believe reflects one of these two approaches to ethics. The scene could focus on an ethical dilemma or on the moral values of Batman and how he interacts with the Joker and other villains. Or you could critique Batman through the lens of one of our ethical theories. Bottom line: you want to focus on Batman’s morality and understand it through the concepts we’ve discussed.
Once you find your scene, your response should proceed in the following way:
Describe your chosen scene that addresses Batman’s ethics and morality as clearly and succinctly as you can. In your response, you don’t want to spend too much time on this, but give enough descriiption so I know what your scene is. There is no need to describe the plot of the film or the background of the characters. Like the previous film paper, no need to explain the plot. I have seen this film many, many times.
Interpret the scene through either a Kantian or Utilitarian lens. Be sure to show evidence of how you are using one of these approaches and then incorporate the ethical concepts we discussed in class into your answer. A word of caution: Be sure to explain what your chosen lens is, either Kantian or Utilitarian, in your own words, always using the course content. So, for example, just don’t say Batman is Kantian or Utilitarian. Spend some time explaining what these mean, then apply this meaning to the example from the film.
An “A” response brings in some textual evidence directly from the module’s course content. Written responses that do not include evidence from the module will receive a lower grade.
The format for the assignment requires a 2-page response in Times New Roman, double spaced, written clearly, and with correct grammar. All responses should have a brief descriiption (emphasize brief) of the film scene. Once described, the remaining paragraph should be a demonstration of how the scene relates to the philosophical concepts discussed in class or readings.
Here’s the rubric:
A response Your paper meets the page number and word count and is written clearly and precisely in your own words (it doesn’t add extra material in the answer but gets right to the point and addresses what is being asked). This level of response always refers to the week’s content and incorporates the readings, such as short quotes and other references (don’t use block quotes or cut and paste from my notes). Papers need to be on point, accurate, and correctly interpreted (there’s room for interpretation, but the facts need to be there).
Use Added File for sources, please.
