Chapman University
Spring 2015
English 472: Film, Gender, Sexuality
Instructor Contact Information:
- Ian Barnard, Ph.D.
- Office: 428 N. Glassell #104
- In-Person Office Hours: MW 11:30 a.m.-12:30 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, the Women's Studies Minor, the LGBTQ Studies 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
Films:
* = 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, the Women's Studies Minor, the LGBTQ Studies 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
- Aaron, Michele, ed. New Queer Cinema: A Critical Reader. *
- Corrigan, Timothy. A Short Guide to Writing About Film. 9th 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, etc.; I will place most on reserve in the library). I will screen some of the short films in class. If you miss class during one of these screenings, it's your responsibility to watch the films in your own time.
Films:
* = 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. *
- Hammer, Barbara, dir. Dyketactics.
- 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. *
- Moore, Iris, dir. Beyond the Mirror's Gaze.
- Mulvey, Laura, and Peter Wollen, dirs. Riddles of the Sphinx.
- Onodera, Midi, dir. Ten Cents a Dance: Parallax. *
- Puenzo, Lucía, dir. XXY. *
- Ramaka, Joseph Gaï, dir. Karmen Geï. *
- Riggs, Marlon, dir. Black Is . . . Black Aint. *
- Roth, Eli, dir. Hostel. *
- Sun, Chyng Feng, dir. Mickey Mouse Monopoly.
- Troche, Rose, dir. Elliot King is Third.
- (Music Videos.)
Grade Distribution:
- Collaborative Oral Presentation..............................20%
- Film Blog..................................................................30%
- Final Project.............................................................35%
- Other Assignments....................................................15%
- 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 one or two colleagues will give an oral presentation on a current television show or on an assigned subject that will introduce or contextualize one of the films/readings/topics we will be discussing. If you are presenting on a television show, you will discuss the show in terms of gender and/or sexuality, giving the class your nuanced analysis of whether this show should be considered sexist or feminist or homophobic/transphobic or queer friendly. Your presentation should include at least one clip from your chosen show and reference to at least one scholarly source other than class readings. If you are presenting on an assigned subject, your presentation should include at least two digital media components (e.g., websites, PowerPoint slides, YouTube video clips) and reference to at least one scholarly source other than class readings. All presentations 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/analysis, 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. If you use PowerPoint or Prezi, do not read your slides! All group members will earn the same grade unless a group member fails to make a substantial contribution to the project. Your group is 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 (you may author the blog under your own name or you may use a pseudonym, though class members will know who you are). Some blog entries will be fairly open-ended, while for others I will solicit your response to specific questions. I will post prompts for seven blog entries on Blackboard. Complete any six of these seven blog posts (including responses to colleagues). Blog posts should be 250-500 words long. Responses to class members' blog posts should each be at least a paragraph long. You must disable comment moderating for your blog, so that class members' responses to your blog can be displayed promptly. 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. Be sure to cite your sources and to acknowledge sources of images if you use images that aren't your own. 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. Post blog entries and responses by the deadlines listed in the schedule below in order to receive full credit for each blog assignment. The Film Blog is designed to help you prepare for class discussions, develop your independent thinking and research on the course topics, get feedback on your ideas, and engage in dialogue on course topics. See the blog rubric for information on grading criteria for the blog.
- 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'll 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' work, and in-class activities. I grade these assignments on a credit/no credit basis. Be sure to log in to WordPress or sign your name when you respond to colleagues' blogs, so that you can earn credit for your responses. 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 and to encourage your colleagues to do the same.
- 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
2/2/2015
2/4/2015
2/9/2015
2/11/2015
2/16/2015
2/18/2015
2/23/2015
2/25/2015
3/2/2015
3/4/2015
3/9/2015
3/11/2015
3/16/2015
3/18/2015
SPRING BREAK
3/30/2015
4/1/2015
4/6/2015
4/8/2015
4/13/2015
4/15/2015
4/20/2015
4/22/2015
4/27/2015
4/29/2015
5/4/2015
5/6/2015
5/11/2015
5/13/2015
Readings marked @ are in Feminist Film Theory: A Reader
Readings marked & are in New Queer Cinema: A Critical Reader
2/2/2015
- In-Class Activities: introduction to the course; technology survey; watch and discuss Beyond the Mirror's Gaze
- Homework Assignments for 2/4: read Wood, "The American Nightmare: Horror in the 70s" *; Clover, "Her Body, Himself: Gender in the Slasher Film" @; bring your laptop to class
2/4/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; class member introductions; set up blogs; discuss blog rubric
- Homework Assignments: watch Hostel; read Chapters 1-2 in Corrigan
2/9/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Hostel and reading; overview of presentations; draw presentation dates and topics
- Homework Assignments: read Corrigan Chapter 3; post a link to your blog on Blackboard by 2 p.m. on 2/10
2/11/2015
- 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 2 p.m. on 2/16; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 2 p.m. on 2/18
2/16/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading, blog, images of women in film, the Bechdel Test, Isla Vista, pornography; watch excerpts from The Mickey Mouse Monopoly; introduction to psychoanalysis and feminist film theory; meet with presentation partners
- 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"; complete responses for blog post #1
2/18/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; watch excerpts from Jeanne Dielman and Riddles of the Sphinx
- Homework Assignments: read Introduction to Thornham Part III @; Introduction to Thornham Part VI @; hooks, "The Oppositional Gaze: Black Female Spectators" @; Gaines, "White Privilege and Looking Relations: Race and Gender in Feminist Film Theory" @
2/23/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss readings; assign presentation respondents; presentation #1 on the making of The Apple
- Homework Assignments: watch The Apple; blog post #2 due by 2 p.m. on 2/25; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 2 p.m. on 2/27
2/25/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss The Apple; watch and discuss music videos; introduction to transgender theory
- Homework Assignments: read Wood, "From Buddies to Lovers" *; Stryker, "My Words to Victor Frankenstein Above the Village of Chamounix: Performing Transgender Rage" *; complete responses for blog post #2
3/2/2015
- In-Class Activities: watch and discuss Elliot King is Third; discuss reading
- Homework Assignments: watch Blades of Glory
3/4/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Blades of Glory
- Homework Assignments: watch The Celluloid Closet; blog post #3 due by 2 p.m. on 3/9; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 2 p.m. on 3/11
3/9/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss The Celluloid Closet, blogs, GLAAD's "Studio Responsibility Index"
- Homework Assignments: read Pick, "New Queer Cinema and Lesbian Films" &; complete responses for blog post #3
3/11/2015
- In-Class Activities: assign presentation respondents; presentation #2 on Barbara Hammer; watch and discuss Dyketactics; discuss reading; introduction to the New Queer Cinema
- Homework Assignments: watch XXY; blog post #4 due by 2 p.m. on 3/14; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 2 p.m. on 3/16
3/16/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss XXY; assign presentation respondents; presentation #3 on Rainer Werner Fassbinder;
- Homework Assignments: read Aaron, "New Queer Cinema: An Introduction" &; Rich, "New Queer Cinema" &; watch Fox and His Friends; blog post #5 due by 2 p.m. on 3/30; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 2 p.m. on 4/1
3/18/2015
- No Class--work on presentations and homework assignments
SPRING BREAK
3/30/2015
- In-Class Activities: assign presentation respondents; presentations #4-#7 on current television shows; mid-semester course evaluations
- Homework Assignments: see 3/16/2015
4/1/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Fox and His Friends, blog posts, and readings; discuss mid-semester evaluations
- Homework Assignments: watch Paris is Burning; read three of the following articles: hooks, "Is Paris Burning?" *; Contreras, "New Queer Cinema: Spectacle, Race, Utopia" &; Butler, "Gender is Burning: Questions of Appropriation and Subversion" @; Harper, "The Subversive Edge: Paris is Burning, Social Critique, and the Limits of Subjective Agency" *
4/6/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Paris is Burning, readings, and blog posts; assign presentation respondents; presentation #8 on Paris is Burning updates
- Homework Assignments: read Wallenberg, "New Black Queer Cinema" &; blog post #6 due by 2 p.m. on 4/8; respond to at least two colleagues’ blog posts by 2 p.m. on 4/13
4/8/2015
- In-Class Activities: watch and discuss The Attendant; discuss readings; assign presentation respondents; presentation #9 on Marlon Riggs
- Homework Assignments: watch Black is . . . Black Aint; blog post #7 due by 2 p.m. on 4/11; respond to at least two colleagues' blogs by 2 p.m. on 4/13; complete blog post #6
4/13/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Black is . . . Black Aint and blog posts; watch Ten Cents a Dance
- Homework Assignments: bring your Corrigan book to class
4/15/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Ten Cents a Dance; assign final project; review Corrigan Chapters 5-7
- Homework Assignments: watch Kaboom!; read Davis, "Camp and Queer and the New Queer Director: Case Study--Gregg Araki" &
4/20/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Kaboom! and reading
- Homework Assignments: read Leung, "New Queer Cinema and Third Cinema" &
4/22/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss reading; introduction to Carmen
- Homework Assignments: watch Karmen Gei
4/27/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Karmen Gei
- Homework Assignments: read Pearl, "AIDS and New Queer Cinema" &
4/29/2015
- In-Class Activities: assign presentation respondents; presentation #10 on ACT UP; introduction to queer activism and the New Queer Cinema
- Homework Assignments: read Pidduck, "New Queer Cinema and Experimental Video" &
5/4/2015
- In-Class Activities: watch and discuss Stop the Church; assign presentation respondents; presentation #11 on Derek Jarman
- Homework Assignments: watch Blue; read Lombardo, "Cruellement Bleu" * (optional)
5/6/2015
- In-Class Activities: discuss Blue; work on final project
- Homework Assignments: work on your final project
5/11/2015
- In-Class Activities: work on final project; course wrap-up; course evaluations
- Homework Assignments: post a draft of your final project or a link to it on Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. on 5/11; read your group members' drafts before Wednesday's class
5/13/2015
- In-Class Activities: peer workshops on final projects
- Homework Assignments: post your final project or a link to it on your blog by 2 p.m. on 5/20