FEMINISM AND FILM (AKA QUEER AND FEMINIST FILM STUDIES)

Transcription

1 FEMINISM AND FILM (AKA QUEER AND FEMINIST FILM STUDIES) WOMEN S & GENDER STUDIES : SPRING 2013 INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Sarah E. Kersh TIMES: MW 1:10-2:25 Calhoun sarah.kersh@vanderbilt.edu OFFICE: MW Benson 421 TR Curb Center (corner of Edgehill and 18 th ) OFFICE HOURS: Mon: 2:30-3:30 in Benson 421 Tues: 9:30-10:45 in the Curb Center COURSE BLOG: my.vanderbilt.edu/wgs272 REQUIRED TEXTS Available in the Bookstore or online: Cinema Studies: The Key Concepts (3 rd edition) by Susan Hayward [ISBN: ] Other required texts will be provided either in class, online, or on reserve in the Central Library. It is your responsibility to see all assigned films, and to print out and read all required readings. COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course students will analyze film as an art form as well as be exposed to feminist and queer film theory. We will consider the role of film in our understandings of sex, gender, and sexuality. Through discussions and writing (primarily blog posts) we will work to discern relevant social, political, ideological, and aesthetic concepts in the media we examine. We will look at contemporary Hollywood and independent cinema, US and some international films by both established and emerging filmmakers. COURSE CONTENT NOTE: Please be aware that some of the films that we will screen as part of this course have adult language, themes, and sexual content. If this type of material bothers you, you may want to consider an alternate course, or if you have specific issues, please see me as soon as possible. GRADING DISTRIBUTION: Participation 10% Film Review 15% Blog Posts Final Project 50% (35% posts; 15% comments) 25% (20% project; 5% presentation) (details TBA)

2 Kersh 2 How can I know what I think until I see what I say? E.M. Forster POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: ATTENDANCE: This class is a workshop/seminar and therefore depends on the participation of its members. Failure to attend undermines the class as a whole. Attendance, therefore, will be a substantial part of your participation grade. You may miss up to three class periods without penalty. Save these misses for when you really need them (e.g. illness, family emergency, long lines in the Commons). I don t distinguish between excused and unexcused absences a missed class is a missed class. If you miss the class for any reason, you are responsible for what went on in the class, including changes of assignments. I will not answer s asking me to describe what went on in class. You are responsible for contacting one of your classmates to find out what went on, including changes of any assignments. If you miss more than three classes, for whatever reason, your overall participation grade will decrease by ten percent per missed class. If you miss six or more classes, you are in danger of failing the course. If you have extenuating circumstances, please contact me as soon as possible. LATENESS, CELL PHONES, AND OTHER DISRUPTIONS: Please make an effort to be on time. Class begins promptly and if you are more than ten minutes late, I will record you as absent. If you have a reason that may cause you to be late from time to time, please let me know. Please remember to turn OFF all cell phones unless otherwise directed. If you are a student athlete or member of a student group which requires you to miss class for a university-sanctioned event, please let me know as soon as possible. ELECTRONICS: Since thoughtful listening and responding will be instrumental to the success of our course, I prefer students not rely on electronic instruments in class. In other words, I do not like for students to use laptops for general note taking in class. If we do in-class writing assignments you may use a laptop. (For these assignments, I will give advance notice.) If this presents a problem, please see me. BLOG POSTS, IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS, AND FILM REVIEW: You will complete 10 blog posts (500 words/post) over the course of the semester as well as comment on other posts made by your classmates. These posts are a response to the week s readings, films, and in-class discussions. I expect you to engage with the readings/films/discussions and not simply summarize them. I also expect you to make connections to other sources, media, and class texts so please add quotations, images, links, videos, etc that relate to the week s topics and your interpretation of it. A good post will ask questions, note limitations, analyze details of content, form, and argument. The blog is a place to work through the challenging material we are covering in this class and the difficult theories I am asking you to consider. The blog is also an extension of ideas about performance and performativity that we are thinking through together. As with every aspect of this class, I expect you to ask hard questions, but to do so with respect and courtesy to your fellow classmates. Posts are a way for you to show me you are actively engaging with the texts as well as give me a way to give you feedback on your writing and analytic skills. Your responses will also serve as a basis for our

3 Kersh 3 class discussion and often the basis for your papers. If you re having trouble participating in class discussion, this is a way to work out your thoughts on paper so that you can jump into the conversation. You will also complete a film review (3-5 pages) and you may also have in-class writing assignments. Further details TBA. CLASS PARTICIPATION: Class participation is a mandatory part of this course. I expect all students to be prepared for class. Please make sure you have the text we are discussing with you as well as whatever you need to take good notes. It is your responsibility to have the reading completed and be ready to discuss it. Remember, reading is not a passive activity. I suggest you take reading notes. If you are not ready to speak, listen, and discuss when you come to class on any given day, then you are not prepared for class. The success of the class depends on the enthusiastic participation of each and every member. Your contributions based on your unique viewpoints and experiences make a vast difference in the way we all come to understand issues and texts. Coming to class regularly, in and of itself, will earn only a C at best. PRESENTATIONS: All students will present at least once during the semester. Further details TBA. DEADLINES: Deadlines are firm. Unless you have asked for and received prior permission to extend the deadline or you have a signed medical excuse, late assignments will lose one grade increment per day late. I cannot accept assignments more than one week late. PLAGIARISM: Presenting someone else s work as your own, not citing sources of information and ideas that you use in your papers, is plagiarizing, and plagiarized papers automatically fail. Even when you use your own wording for someone else s ideas (e.g. a paraphrase or summary), you need to cite the source. Always acknowledge your source for any idea that is not your own. If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism, consult your student handbook or ask me. THE WRITING STUDIO: For extra help with your writing, consider visiting the Writing Studio in room 007 of Calhoun Hall or in the Commons. The studio can help you improve your work at any stage in the writing process. Call , stop by, or fill out on online form to schedule a half-hour long, one-on-one appointment. I strongly encourage everyone to do this at least once during the semester. For times and more information, see their website at: GRADE CALCULATIONS: I use an excel worksheet to calculate my grades. If you would like to discuss graded work, please take at least two days to review my comments, along with the grading criteria for the assignment. While I don't negotiate grades, I am happy to discuss strategies for improving your writing.

4 Kersh 4 EXTRA CREDIT: If you attend any Vanderbilt University screening, workshop, or lecture and write a 1-2 page reflection stating how the event related to this class and what was interesting about it for you, I will award 1 point extra credit. You may complete up to 5 extra credit reflections. I will reject any reflection I feel is insufficient or unsuitable. **It is STRONGLY encouraged that you attend an International Lens screening this semester** See website for details: OTHER NEEDS AND A NOTE ON COMMUNITY: If you have a concern or issue regarding this class, your ability to participate in it or the material we are covering, please stop by my office hours or me to set up an appointment. The sooner we can talk about your concerns, the better I will be able to help you negotiate a solution. I am committed to providing equal educational opportunity to all students. All members of the Vanderbilt community have the responsibility to demonstrate basic respect for all individuals. We communicate this respect in all aspects of behavior, including our expressed ideas, our associations with others in social groups and organizations, and our interactions with others in the classroom environment. We aim to increase contact with and understanding of individuals who are different from ourselves, and we seek out exposure to ideas that challenge our preconceptions. You as members of the Vanderbilt University community have a responsibility to promote and a right to expect scholarship, honesty, civility, accountability, caring, discovery, and celebration as described in the Vanderbilt Community Creed. See: CLASS CONTACTS: If you miss class for ANY reason it is YOUR responsibility to contact another member of the class to see what you may have missed. Please make sure you have at least three contacts: 1. name: cell: 2. name: cell: 3. name: cell: NOTE: The policies, procedures, schedules, and requirements in this syllabus are subject to change should any occur I will make every effort to give you plenty of notice.

5 Note that this calendar is subject to change. Course Calendar: Feminism & Film SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS Please know that I am fully committed to insuring a productive educational environment for all students. If you have any physical or learning needs that may affect your work in this or any class, please let me know and contact the Opportunity Development Center ( ) as soon as possible so that we can discuss appropriate accommodations. Topics for Class Discussion WEEK 1 Jan 7 Mon. Course Introduction Jan 9 Wed. Syllabus and Expectations Reading & Writing Due IN CLASS o Questionnaire Due (PDF) o Smith, Greg. It s Just a Movie : A Teaching Essay for Introductory Media Classes. (online article) o Read in Cinema Studies: feminist film theory; (film) theory; Queer cinema WEEK 2 Sun. No Screening Jan 14 Mon. o Laura Mulvey, Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema (PDF) o CS: gaze/look; psychoanalysis Jan 16 Wed. o John Berger: Chapter 3 from Ways of Seeing (45-64) (PDF) o bell hooks: Oppositional Gaze ( ) (PDF) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 1 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 3 Jan 20 Sun. 4: 00 Screening Rear Window (1954) (dir. Alfred Hitchcock) Jan 21 Mon. No Class MLK day (go volunteer!) o CS: film noir Jan 23 Wed. o Tania Modleski, The Master s Dollhouse: Rear Window (PDF) Film Noir and the o Online Review: Detective Thriller o Online Review/Critique: Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 2 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 4 Jan 27 Sun. 4: 00 Screening Bound (1996) (dirs. Andy and Lana Wachowski) Jan 28 Mon. Neo-Noir: Film Noir Revised? o CS: gangster/criminal thriller; mise-en-abîme; mise-en-scéne; voyeurism/fetishism o Bound Together by Kelly Kessler (PDF) Jan 30 Wed. o Sherrie A. Inness, from Tough Girls: Beyond Muscles (11-27)(PDF) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 3 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 5 Feb. 3 Sun. Screening But I m a Cheerleader (1999) (dir. Jamie Babbit) Feb. 4 Mon. Gender and Camp o Susan Sontag s Notes on Camp (PDF) o CS: exploitation movies Feb. 6 Wed. o Review of But I m a Cheerleader by Eva Phillips on Bitch Flicks o Selections from My Gender Workbook pp (PDF) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 4 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight

6 Note that this calendar is subject to change. Course Calendar: Feminism & Film WEEK 6 Feb. 10 Sun. Screening Election (1999) (dir. Alexander Payne) Feb. 11 Mon. Women and Politics No new reading: Guest Lecturer: Dr. Sarah Niebler (Political Science) Feb. 13 Wed. o Diana B. Carlin & Kelly L. Winfrey: Have You Come a Long Way, Baby? Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and Sexism in 2008 Campaign Coverage (PDF) o Selections from Notes from the Cracked Ceiling by Anne E. Kornblut (PDF) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 5 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 7 Feb. 17 Sun. Screening Paris is Burning (1990) (dir. Jennie Livingston) Feb. 18 Mon. No new reading Guest Lecturer: Prof. Donika Ross (English) Feb. 20 Wed. o CS: documentary; take a look at Queer Cinema again o Excerpt from Judith Butler s Gender Trouble (PDF) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 6 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 8 Feb. 24 Sun. Screening All About My Mother (1999) (dir. Pedro Almodóvar.) Feb. 25 Mon. o TBA Feb. 27 Wed. ***Film Review Due via to me*** (see prompt) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 7 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight (I will accept these entries up until the Fri/Sun before we return to class.) Mar SPRING BREAK NO CLASS WEEK 9 Mar 10 Sun. Screening The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet s Nest (2009) (dir. Daniel Alfredson) Mar 11 Mon. Queer Futurity Guest Lecturer: Dr. Diana Bellonby o Excerpt from Gayle Rubin: Traffic in Women (PDF) Mar 13 Wed. o Halberstam, Jack. The Girl Who Played with Queer Utopia. (online review/article) o Muñoz, José Esteban. Feeling Utopia. Cruising Utopia: The Then and There of Queer Futurity. New York: NYU Press, (PDF) Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 8 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 10 Sun. No Screening Mar 18 Mon. No Class Required individual Conferences Mar 20 Wed. No Class Required individual Conferences Fri/Sun Blog Entry 9 Mandatory entry on Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight Final Project WEEK 11 Mar 24 Sun. Screening TBA Mar 25 Mon. o TBA Mar 27 Wed. o TBA Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 10 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight

7 Course Calendar: Feminism & Film WEEK 12 Mar 31 Sun. Screening Dr. Who episode Apr 1 Mon. Queer Time o TBA Apr 3 Wed. o TBA Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 11 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 13 Sun. No Screening Apr 8 Mon. Presentations Apr 10 Wed. Presentations Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 12 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 14 Sun. No Screening Apr 15 Mon. presentations Apr 17 Wed. presentations Fri/Sun Blog Entry Option 13 Post due by Fri at midnight and Comments Due Sun at midnight WEEK 15 April 22 Mon. Final Class wrap up FINALS April 30 Tues. Final Project Due My Writing Assignments & Grades: 1. Writing Questionnaire (Due first week of class): 2. Film Review (Due by 2/27): 3. Class Blog (required total: 10 posts and 20 comments): Week 1 * Post: 2 Comments: Week 2 Post: 2 Comments: Week 3 Post: 2 Comments: Week 4 Post: 2 Comments: Week 5 Post: 2 Comments: Week 5 Post: 2 Comments: Week 7 Post: 2 Comments: Week 8 Post: 2 Comments: Week 9 * Post: 2 Comments: Week 10 Post: 2 Comments: Week 11 Post: 2 Comments: Week 12 Post: 2 Comments: Week 13 Post: 2 Comments: * Mandatory posts Note that this calendar is subject to change.