Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies 3317 Hollywood, Women and Film Fall 2014 Wednesdays and Fridays 2:20-3:40 PM Scott Lab N0056 (basement level) 3 credit hours Instructor: Erin Tobin Email: [email protected] Office: 030 Dulles Hall (Basement level) Office hours: Wednesdays 12-2 and by appointment Accommodation of students with Disabilities: Students who have veriFication From Disability Services are responsible For contacting the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements. The OfFice For Disability Services (150 Pomerene Hall; 614-292-3307) veriFies the need for accommodations and assists in the development of accommodation strategies. Course Description: This course is a critical survey oF the representation oF women in Hollywood cinema with examples drawn from different historical periods as well as attention to the representation oF women, gender, and sexuality in independent film. It is designed to introduce students to the complexities and ambiguities of the film medium by showing how Film has, historically and aesthetically, represented women and particularly how the intersection of various aspects of identity, including race, gender, sexuality, and class, are negotiated in Hollywood and independent Films. Course Goals: As a course that fulfills the "Visual and Performing Arts" GEC requirement, the goals of Women's Studies 3317 are to help students: • Evaluate signiFicant films in order to develop capacities for aesthetic and historical response and judgment • Learn skills to critically analyze, interpret, and evaluate Film speciFically and visual representations and cultural productions more broadly • Using Feminist Film theory and an intersectional approach to Further develop and practice critical listening, reading, seeing, thinking, and writing while experiencing the arts and reflecting on that experience • Understand the complexities and ambiguities oF Film and reFlect upon its meanings and relation to/role in society Learning Objectives: • Students will develop the ability to be more enlightened observers of cinematic texts as they think critically about Film. • Students will develop an intersectional lens to understand how gender, race, class, sexuality, and other dimensions of identity intersect and influence visual representation. • Students will be able to explain, analyze, synthesize, and contextualize the aesthetic, historical, cultural, and social relevance oF Film and written texts. • Students will enhance their ability to critically and analytically think, read, write, and discuss Films through written assignments, class discussions, lectures, and multi-formatted examinations. 1 Readings: No textbooks are required For this course. I will post all reading assignments on Carmen. IF you have any diFFiculty accessing these readings, please email me. PowerPoint slides will also be made available on Carmen after they are presented in class. Please bring the readings for the day and/or unit with you to class. You may choose to print out the articles and Powerpoints, or download them to your laptop or tablet, and bring them to class on the appropriate day. Supplementary Texts and Resources: I’ve provided a list oF some supplementary texts and anthologies on Film and Feminist Film studies that may be useFul For those with little to no background in these Fields (and Fun For anyone Further interested in the topic!) http://www.imdb.com (Internet Movie Database) Film Art, Bordwell and Thompson Film History, Thompson and Bordwell Film Studies: An Introduction, Sikov Women’s Voices, Feminist Visions (anthology), Shaw and Lee Miss Representation (documentary), JenniFer Siebel Newsom, 2011 Karen Chandler, “Feminism and Film Studies” from Transforming the Disciplines: A Women’s Studies Primer, edited by MacNabb, Cherry, Popham, and Prys (2001) “The Bechdel Test Movie List” http://bechdeltest.com Flowtv http://www.Flowtv.org (an online journal oF television and media studies published by the Department oF Radio-Television-Film at the University of Texas at Austin) Camera Obscura (Journal oF Feminism, Culture, and Media Studies) http://cameraobscura.dukejournals.org Jezebel (online blog with feminist critique of popular culture, media, film, politics) http://www.jezebel.com Online resources on reading comprehension strategies: http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_02.htm http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/academics/academic-resources-support/student-academic-support- services/tutorial-academic-skills-6 https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/616/01/ Online resources For how to actively view Films: http://www.brynmawr.edu/Filmstudies/Takingnotes.html http://www.Filmsite.org/Filmview.html Films: Readings and Films are the prime texts For this course. We will screen some in class and the others you will need to screen on your own. Below I have indicated where the Films are available. All Films should also be available For purchase (DVD copy) on Amazon. Male and Female (view in class) Amazon Instant Video; OSU library; Netflix (DVD-by-mail only); Youtube It Happened One Night: View for Fri., Sept. 19 Amazon Instant Video; OSU library; Columbus Metropolitan Library; Netflix (DVD-by-mail only) Cabin in the Sky (view in class) Amazon Instant Video; OSU library; Columbus Metropolitan Library; Netflix (DVD-by-mail only) Desert Hearts: View for Wed., Oct. 15 Amazon Instant Video; OSU library (via OhioLINK); Columbus Metropolitan Library; Netflix (Instant) She’s Gotta Have It (view in class) 2 OSU library; Columbus Metropolitan Library; NetFlix (DVD-by-mail only) Boys Don’t Cry: View for Wed., Oct. 29 Amazon Instant Video (Prime and For purchase); OSU library (via OhioLINK); Columbus Metropolitan Library; Netflix (Instant) The Silence of the Lambs: View for Fri., Oct. 31 Amazon Instant Video (Prime and For purchase); OSU library (via OhioLINK); Columbus Metropolitan Library; Netflix (Instant) The Help: View for Wed., Nov. 5 Amazon Instant Video; OSU library; Columbus Metropolitan Library; NetFlix (DVD-by-mail only) Temptation: View for Fri., Nov. 7 Amazon Instant Video (Prime and For purchase); Columbus Metropolitan Library; Netflix (Instant) The Proposal: View for Wed., Nov. 19 Amazon Instant Video; OSU library; Columbus Metropolitan Library Fruitvale Station (View in class) Amazon Instant Video; Columbus Metropolitan Library; NetFlix (DVD-by-mail only) Cell Phone/Tablets/Computers/Recording Devices: Students are permitted to use technology in the classroom, however, out of respect For me and your classmates, I ask that you keep your usage related to the class. Students may choose to take notes and download Powerpoints and readings onto tablets and laptops. Please do not record class sessions without receiving permission From me beFore class. Also, please resist the urge to text, make and/or receive phone calls during class. This is unproFessional and disrespectFul. IF there is an urgent concern necessitating your cell phone use, please notiFy me beFore class or quietly step outside For the duration oF your usage. Email Etiquette: It is a good idea to get into the habit oF corresponding with instructors, proFessors, administrators, and others at the university, internship, or job, in a professional manor. I want to provide you with the opportunity to practice good email etiquette in my class. Please include salutations and avoid inappropriate language including, but not limited to, “hey there,” “hey girl,” “heeeeey,” or “yo.” This may be common and appropriate in everyday speech and interactions, but think oF academic communication with instructors and administrators as more Formal exchanges (like those you would have with an employer or someone you want to impress with your outstanding writing skills and etiquette). You will Find you receive more respect from those you email and people will be more likely to engage with what you are saying, rather than focusing on words you’re using. Also, always enter a subject in the subject line. Proper salutations include dear, hello, hi, best, thank you, regards, cheers, among others. Choose your favorite and always sign your name (first or full name) at the end of an email. Good email form and etiquette keeps people happy and stimulates more efFective communication. Below are some resources on email etiquette For university students. Some oF these are a bit more formal and strict than is typically required, but they are good resources nevertheless! https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/694/01/ http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2010/09/30/18-etiquette-tips-for-e-mailing- your-proFessor http://www.usm.edu/chemistry-biochemistry/e-mail-etiquette-adapted-academia http://www.cappex.com/blog/college-life/correspondence-code-a-college-students-guide-to-email- etiquette/ Submitting written work: All assignments (unless otherwise noted) should be typed using a word processor and submitted in hard copy Format. IF extenuating circumstances arise, arrangements must be made prior to the submission 3 deadline to submit the assignment electronically or in my mailbox. Otherwise, emailed assignments and electronic copies will not be accepted in lieu of a hard copy. Late work/Make-ups: Late work (including quizzes and exams) is not accepted unless there is a documented illness, Family, or other emergency. IF you anticipate an issue with completing an assignment on time, please contact me beFore the due date so that I am aware oF the situation and, iF necessary, can work with you to arrange an alternative deadline. It is always best to contact me and keep me inFormed about any extenuating circumstances. Medical-related absences (sick, illness): Please do not come to class iF you are sick! Go to the Student Health Center (614-292-4321) or your local doctor. Send me a quick email informing me about your absence (and bring a doctor’s note iF you would like this absence excused!) and take time to rest and please do what it takes to Feel better! Questions or concerns: Please Feel Free to send me an email or arrange to speak outside oF class iF you have questions about the material or iF you have any personal or other concerns that will aFFect your class perFormance. I am happy to make appointments to discuss issues at greater length.