Chapman University
Spring 2014
English 472: Film, Gender, Sexuality
Instructor Contact Information:
- Ian Barnard, Ph.D.
- Office: 428 N. Glassell #104
- In-Person Office Hours: W 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and by appointment
- Email Office Hours: [email protected]
Catalog Course Description:
Student Learning Outcomes for This Course:
you will
This Course is a GE Artistic Inquiry Course, Counts Toward the English Major, the Writing and Rhetoric Minor, and Fulfills the Following Program Learning Outcomes for the BA in English:
Required Texts (available at the University Bookstore):
* = also on reserve in the Leatherby Libraries
@ = also available as an e-text from Leatherby Libraries
Films and Videos:
* = on reserve in the Leatherby Libraries
Grade Distribution:
Graded Assignments:
- Prerequisite: written inquiry. This course examines the relationship among film, gender, and sexuality. Topics covered may include cinematic representations of gender and sexuality, GLBT issues in film, feminist film theory, censorship, transgression, screening the body, psychoanalysis and cinema. May be repeated for credit. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.
Student Learning Outcomes for This Course:
you will
- understand the political, social, and cultural significance of cinematic representations of women, men, and glbt people
- understand how to analyze film form and content from multicultural and global queer and feminist perspectives
- know the history of feminist and queer films and film theory, including anti-imperialist and anti-racist interventions into film theory
- demonstrate your engagement with queer and feminist film theory and your ability to analyze films in oral, written, and other forms
This Course is a GE Artistic Inquiry Course, Counts Toward the English Major, the Writing and Rhetoric Minor, and Fulfills the Following Program Learning Outcomes for the BA in English:
- ability to explain and apply significant theoretical and critical approaches in the field of English studies
- skill in critical reading, or the practice of identifying and interpreting the formal, rhetorical, and stylistic features of a text
- skill in writing grammatically, coherently, and persuasively
Required Texts (available at the University Bookstore):
* = also on reserve in the Leatherby Libraries
@ = also available as an e-text from Leatherby Libraries
- Aaron, Michele, ed. New Queer Cinema: A Critical Reader. *
- Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film. 8th ed. *
- Thornham, Sue, ed. Feminist Film Theory: A Reader. @
- I will post additional articles on Blackboard for you to read. You are also required to watch many films and videos for this class. You will watch most on your own as homework assignments (you may purchase some of the films inexpensively or stream them via Netflix; I will put most on reserve in the library). I will screen some of the short films/videos in class. If you miss class during one of these screenings, it's your responsibility to watch the films/videos in your own time.
Films and Videos:
* = on reserve in the Leatherby Libraries
- Akerman, Chantal, dir. Jeanne Dielman.
- Araki, Greg, dir. Kaboom! *
- Epstein, Rob, and Jeffrey Friedman, dirs. The Celluloid Closet. *
- Fassbinder, Rainer Werner, dir. Fox and His Friends. *
- Gordon, Josh, and Will Speck, dirs. Blades of Glory. *
- Hashiguchi, Ryosuke. Slight Fever of a 20-Year Old. *
- Hilferty, Robert, dir. Stop the Church.
- Jarman, Derek, dir. Blue. *
- Julien, Isaac, dir. The Attendant.
- Livingston, Jennie, dir. Paris is Burning. *
- Makhmalbaf, Samira, dir. The Apple. *
- Muska, Susan, and Gréta Olafsdóttir, dirs. The Brandon Teena Story. *
- Onodera, Midi, dir. Ten Cents a Dance: Parallax.
- Ramaka, Joseph Gaï, dir. Karmen Geï. *
- Riggs, Marlon, dir. Black Is . . . Black Aint. *
- Roth, Eli, dir. Hostel. *
- Sun, Chyng Feng, dir. Mickey Mouse Monopoly.
- (Music Videos.)
Grade Distribution:
- Collaborative Oral Presentation..............................20%
- Film Blog..................................................................30%
- Final Project.............................................................40%
- Other Assignments....................................................10%
- Due to the highly interactive nature of this course and the emphasis on group work and class discussions, I expect you to attend all class meetings and to be on time. You may miss four class meetings without penalty. If you miss more than four class meetings, I will lower your final course grade by 1/3 grade for each additional absence. Two tardies (arriving late or leaving early) count as one absence. I will also mark you tardy if you are unprepared for class.
Graded Assignments:
- Collaborative Oral Presentation: You and two or three colleagues will give an oral presentation on an assigned subject that will introduce or contextualize one of the films/readings/topics we will be discussing. Your presentation should include at least two digital media components (e.g., websites, PowerPoint slides, YouTube video clips) and will be followed by questions from the class. The presentation should last no longer than 15 minutes (excluding questions). My evaluation of your presentation will be based on the quality of your research and material, how well you present your material, your ability to answer questions, how well your group members work together, and your adherence to the time limit. All group members will earn the same grade unless a group member fails to make a substantial contribution to the project. You and your other group members are welcome to meet with me before the date of your presentation to discuss your presentation plans.
- Film Blog: You will keep a scholarly WordPress blog that charts your ongoing engagement with the course over the semester. Some blog entries will be fairly open-ended, while for others I will solicit your response to specific questions. I will post prompts for individual blog entries on Blackboard. Blog posts should be 250-500 words long. Responses to class members' blog posts should each be at least a paragraph long. We'll discuss criteria for effective posts and responses in class. Keep track of whose blogs you respond to. You should not respond to the same class members each time. Since the blog is a digital medium, I expect you to include links, images, and other digital materials to illustrate and complement your points. Remember that anyone in the world can read your blog; you will need to frame your blog entries so that they make sense to readers outside our class. I will evaluate your blog based on the insightfulness of your responses to the assigned films and readings and to your colleagues, the quality of your writing, and the blog's visual appeal.
- Final Project: You will have the option of developing a critical or creative final project. I will give you specific guidelines and suggested topics for the final project in class. You will have the opportunity to get feedback from your colleagues on a draft of your project before you post the final version on your Film Blog.
- Other Assignments: These include Blackboard posts, a draft of your Final Project, responses to colleagues' posts and drafts, and in-class activities. I grade these assignments on a credit/no credit basis. In class we will discuss the criteria for earning credit on these assignments. You cannot make up a missed in-class assignment.
- Citation of Sources: Plagiarism is a contested and context-specific topic. We will discuss effective ways of using sources and issues around plagiarism in class.
- Email Protocol: I acknowledge all email messages within 48 hours. If you email me but don’t get a response, I haven’t received your email. Feel free to email me concerning any questions you have about the course or about your work. Do not email your work to me for feedback; I’d be happy to discuss your work with you in person. It’s important to practice composing professional emails: be sure that your emails to me include appropriate subject lines, salutations, and closes.
- Classroom Dynamics: I do not spend much time lecturing and expect you to participate vigorously in the many discussions around which the course is organized. We all teach and learn in this course--I do not believe in a one-way transmission of “knowledge” from instructor to students. I don’t have all the answers, and I look forward to learning as much as teaching in this course. You should direct your questions and comments in class to your colleagues as much as to me. I encourage you to talk in class.
- Diversity: Chapman University is committed to ensuring equality and valuing diversity. Students and professors are reminded to show respect at all times as outlined in Chapman's Harassment and Discrimination Policy. Any violations of this policy should be discussed with the professor, the Dean of Students, and/or otherwise reported in accordance with this policy. Click here to read Chapman University's Statement on Diversity.
- Students With Disabilities: Please see me early in the semester if you have a documented disability, so that we can discuss what accommodations, if any, I might make to help you to succeed in this class. Click here to read Chapman University's Policy Statement for Assisting Students with Disabilities.
tentative schedule
Readings marked * are on Blackboard
Readings marked @ are in Feminist Film Theory: A Reader
Readings marked & are in New Queer Cinema: A Critical Reader
2/3/2014
2/5/2014
2/10/2014
2/12/2014
2/17/2014
2/19/2014
2/24/2014
2/26/2014
3/3/2014
3/5/2014
3/10/2014
3/12/2014
3/17/2014
3/19/2014
SPRING BREAK
3/31/2014
4/2/2014
4/7/2014
4/9/2014
4/14/2014
4/16/2014
4/21/2014
4/23/2014
4/28/2014
4/30/2014
5/5/2014
5/7/2014
5/12/2014
5/14/2014
Readings marked @ are in Feminist Film Theory: A Reader
Readings marked & are in New Queer Cinema: A Critical Reader
2/3/2014
- In-Class Activities: introduction to the course; watch and discuss music videos
- Homework Assignments for 2/5: read Wood, "The American Nightmare: Horror in the 70s" *; Clover, "Her Body, Himself: Gender in the Slasher Film" @; bring your laptop to class
2/5/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; class member introductions; set up blogs; discuss blog criteria
- Homework Assignments: watch Hostel; read Chapters 1-2 in Corrigan
2/10/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Hostel; discuss reading; discuss presentations; draw presentation dates and topics
- Homework Assignments: read Corrigan Chapter 3; post a link to your blog on Blackboard by 4 p.m. on 2/12
2/12/2014
- In-Class Activities: how to read a film
- Homework Assignments: read Corrigan Chapter 4; Introduction to Thornham; Thornham Part 1 Introduction; Smith, "The Image of Women in Film" @; Williams, "Film Bodies: Gender, Genre, and Excess" @; blog post #1 due by 4 p.m. on 2/17; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 4 p.m. on 2/19
2/17/2014
- Attend guest lecture by Professor Harriet Malinowitz (BK 401, 4:30-6 p.m.)
2/19/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss blogs; discuss images of women in film; pornography; watch excerpts from The Mickey Mouse Monopoly; assign presentation respondents; presentation #1 on psychoanalysis and feminist film theory
- Homework Assignments: read Thornham Part II Introduction; Mulvey, "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema" @; Keegan, "Gender Inequality Still Has a Starring Role in Hollywood, USC Study Finds"
2/24/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; watch excerpts from Jeanne Dielman
- Homework Assignments: read Introduction to Thornham Part III; Citron et al, "Women and Film: A Discussion of Feminist Aesthetics" @; Mulvey, "Afterthoughts on 'Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema' Inspired by King Vidor's Duel in the Sun (1946)" @
2/26/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; assign presentation respondents; presentation #2 on the making of The Apple
- Homework Assignments: watch The Apple; bring your Corrigan book to class; read Gaines, "White Privilege and Looking Relations: Race and Gender in Feminist Film Theory" @; hooks, "The Oppositional Gaze: Black Female Spectators" @
3/3/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss The Apple; discuss Corrigan and readings
- Homework Assignments: read Wood, "From Buddies to Lovers" *; bring your Corrigan book to class
3/5/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; work with Corrigan text
- Homework Assignments: watch Blades of Glory; blog post #2 due by 4 p.m. on 3/9; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 4 p.m. on 3/10
3/10/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Blades of Glory; introduction to the New Queer Cinema; discuss blogs
- Homework Assignments: read Aaron, "New Queer Cinema: An Introduction" &; Rich, "New Queer Cinema" &
3/12/2014
- In-Class Activities: watch and discuss Ten Cents a Dance
- Homework Assignments: watch The Celluloid Closet; blog post #3 due by 4 p.m. on 3/16; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 4 p.m. on 3/17
3/17/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss The Celluloid Closet; mid-semester course evaluations; assign presentation respondents; presentation #3 on Rainer Werner Fassbinder
- Homework Assignments: watch Fox and His Friends; blog post #4 due by 4 p.m. on 3/29; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 4 p.m. on 3/31
3/19/2014
- No Class--work on your blog
SPRING BREAK
3/31/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Fox and His Friends; assign presentation respondents; presentation #4 on Isaac Julien; discuss mid-semester evaluations
- Homework Assignments: read Wallenberg, "New Black Queer Cinema" &
4/2/2014
- In-Class Activities: watch and discuss The Attendant; assign presentation respondents; presentation #5 on Marlon Riggs
- Homework Assignments: watch Black is . . . Black Aint; read hooks, "Thinking Through Class: Paying Attention to The Attendant" *; Julien, "Confessions of a Snow Queen: Notes on the Making of The Attendant" * (optional)
4/7/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss readings and film
- Homework Assignments: read Pick, "New Queer Cinema and Lesbian Films" &; Leung, "New Queer Cinema and Third Cinema" &; bring your Corrigan book to class
4/9/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss readings; assign final project; review Corrigan Chapters 5-7
- Homework Assignments: watch Slight Fever of a 20-Year Old; blog post #5 due by 4 p.m. on 4/13; respond to at least two colleagues' blog posts by 4 p.m. on 4/14
4/14/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Slight Fever of a 20-Year Old; introduction to Carmen
- Homework Assignments: watch Karmen Gei
4/16/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Karmen Gei
- Homework Assignments: watch Kaboom!; read Davis, "Camp and Queer and the New Queer Director: Case Study--Gregg Araki" &; Stryker, "My Words to Victor Frankenstein Above the Village of Chamounix: Performing Transgender Rage" *
4/21/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Kaboom!; discuss readings
- Homework Assignments: watch The Brandon Teena Story
4/23/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss The Brandon Teena Story
- Homework Assignments: watch Paris is Burning; read hooks, "Is Paris Burning?"*; Contreras, "New Queer Cinema: Spectacle, Race, Utopia" &; Butler, "Gender is Burning: Questions of Appropriation and Subversion" @ (optional)
4/28/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Paris is Burning; assign presentation respondents; presentation #6 on Paris is Burning updates
- Homework Assignments: read Pearl, "AIDS and New Queer Cinema" &
4/30/2014
- In-Class Activities: assign presentation respondents; presentation #7 on ACT UP; introduction to queer activism and the New Queer Cinema
- Homework Assignments: read Pidduck, "New Queer Cinema and Experimental Video" &
5/5/2014
- In-Class Activities: watch and discuss Stop the Church; assign presentation respondents; presentation #8 on Derek Jarman
- Homework Assignments: watch Blue; read Lombardo, "Cruellement Bleu" * (optional)
5/7/2014
- In-Class Activities: discuss Blue
- Homework Assignments: work on your final project
5/12/2014
- In-Class Activities: work on final project; course evaluations
- Homework Assignments: post a draft of your final project or a link to it on Blackboard by 4 p.m. on 5/13; read your group members' drafts before Wednesday's class
5/14/2014
- In-Class Activities: peer workshops on final projects; course wrap-up
- Homework Assignments: post your final project or a link to it on your blog by 4 p.m. on 5/21