SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Learning to look more deeply in Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts
In a time and place when opposing political parties constantly accuse one another of distorting the truth, we could all benefit from a deeper understanding of how political propaganda is circulated. Graduate students in Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts (MPhil) have the opportunity to deconstruct media techniques during times of conflict in an upcoming online course, Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Film.
“We approach film not as a sheerly artistic phenomenon,” explains Penn instructor Vladislav Todorov, “but rather as a very effective means to dramatize conflict and enflame public sentiments, construct the image of the enemy, inculcate certain political ideas, stage and reenact events, condition irrational response, and create false consciousness.” The course will explore news, documentaries, feature films, and other media visuals that emerged alongside political violence and ethnic conflicts in the former Soviet Union, Russia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans, the Middle East, and the United States. Students develop a critical approach to visual analysis during dynamic classroom discussions. “The online format creates a unique opportunity for the students to share and discuss their independent work interactively and effectively,” Todorov adds.
Available in summer 2021 as an accelerated 5.5-week course, Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Film is an example of the advanced interdisciplinary coursework that characterizes the Penn’s MPhil. Whether or not graduate students in the course plan to pursue film studies or ethnic conflict in their culminating capstone project, they benefit from close analysis of political storytelling and may wish to apply the tools of visual and narrative studies. “We try to arm the eye and enable it to recognize a masked agenda, bias, manipulation, or subtle propaganda,” says Todorov. “I encourage students to critique mainstream films and media, parts of the culture that they have already seen and enjoyed but never had the chance to critique and question.”
Ideal for lifelong learners who previously completed a master’s degree in the liberal arts, Penn’s Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts offers the independence of self-directed study with the expertise of world-class faculty and advising. Available on a full- or part-time basis, you select the courses most relevant to your interests, around your schedule. With interactive, multimedia online learning experiences that excite discussion and deep engagement, the MPhil program opens interdisciplinary study across the University for individuals with a passion for academic exploration.
Contact our program director, Dr. Christopher Pastore, to schedule an appointment to review your current research and explore your options for pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Liberal Arts at Penn.
(215) 898-7326
lps@sas.upenn.edu
www.upenn.edu/mla-mphil
