Long Paper Topic McDaniel
PS 4920—Modern Political Theory Spring 2025
Pick a film made in the 2020s. How would two of the philosophers we have read analyze the film
(excluding Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke; and you must do at least ONE from after the
midterm)? How would they interpret its major themes? Where would they disagree?
You should choose a movie that helps raise political and/or philosophic issues. Some movies
(Oppenheimer, Nickel Boys, Everything Everywhere, Conclave, The Menu) are better in this
regard than others (Madame Web, Jungle Cruise, Morbius, Transformers), so choose well. But
who knows? Maybe Marx and Nietzsche would have a great debate over what Transformers
means about the modern age. Sometimes you can find donuts while dumpster diving. If you take
that risk, just make sure you can pull it off. You may NOT use any film you have written about
for another class. In framing your argument, you will need to make ample use of the TEXTS
from these thinkers. You should bring in key quotes when necessary to support your argument.
As always, avoid plagiarism in all its many forms. ChatGPT and other forms of AI are
absolutely prohibited in every stage of writing your paper.
Length: 7-8 pages, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, Times-12 or comparable font (estimate 325
words/page)
Due Date: Thursday, April 24, 11:20 AM
