Print this page It's a Wonderful Life: Philosophy Through Film

Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" is much more than a classic Christmas film. This course explores its philosophical themes of meaning, freedom, responsibility, happiness and community, while examining its connections with existentialism and pragmatism. Through discussion of the film's structure, characters and enduring popularity, participants will discover why this timeless story continues to influence philosophy, ethics and popular culture nearly eighty years after its release.

DELIVERY MODE

Face to face

COURSE RESOURCES

• It's a Wonderful Life, with Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, New York, 1986.
• Marcel, The Philosophy of Existence
• Sartre, “Existentialism is a humanism,” B. Frechtman (trans.), in C. Guignon and D. Pereboom (eds.), Existentialism: Basic writings, Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Press.
• Silke, James, Frank Capra: One Man—One Film, Washington, D.C., 1971.
• Bohnenkamp, Dennis, and Sam Grogg, editors, Frank Capra Study Guide, 1979.
• "Capra Issue" of Film Comment (New York), vol. 8, no. 4, 1972.

COURSE OUTLINE

• Why is ""Its a wonderful life"" is a wonderful work
• Key themes (Capra and Existentialism)
• Structure and style
• The affirmative vision of Frank Capra

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Understand the key ideas in the film
• Understand its lasting influence
• Understand the film's debt to Existentialism and Pragmatism
• Understand its structure and style