AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
- To critically examine various feminist approaches to the construction of gender in mainstream cultural representations.
- To analyze a number of specific genres in relation to the production and reception of images of femininity.
CORE CAPABILITIES
- Make ethical evaluations.
- Seek handle and interpret information.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Explain and examine the relationship between gender and genre and offer critical comparisons between different feminist approaches to film and/or television genres.
- Explain the key characteristics and conventions of at least one mainstream genre, relating them to relevant feminist concepts.
CONTENT
This course is divided into three blocks:
Block One - Television and Women's Genres introduces students to the main debates about why genres are considered to be gendered. This block concentrates on TV genres in order to offer a contemporary look at the issues.
The second block - Film Genres and Women will examine the various ways that feminists have theorized gender in popular culture. This block will also look at the debates between feminists and will work through various case studies.
The final block focuses on recent debates about spectatorship which offer significant challenges to feminist film theory.
TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
Teaching methods include formal lectures, tutorials, seminar discussions and screenings. Students will be expected to attend formal lectures and take notes; read from primary sources as well as secondary sources and comment upon their reading; participate in small group and large group discussions; listen and ask questions; view and respond to audio-visual material; use the scheduled tutorial sessions to seek feedback and advice on assessed material.
Students will study for a total of 150 hours made up in the following ways:
Timetabled sessions - 28 hours
Preparation for assessment - 52 hours
Self directed study - 65 hours
Private review of assessment after receiving feedback - 5 hours
ASSESSMENT
Students will be asked to write an essay which addresses the construction and/or consumption of images of women in mainstream film and/or television, drawing on examples and applying the relevant concepts from feminist theories. Through this essay students will demonstrate their ability to consider ethical questions in relation to the construction of gender in popular culture. Furthermore students will demonstrate that they are able to identify and handle relevant theories and examples.
3000 word essay (100%)