Universität Wien
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170214 UE Exercise Course "Body Practices and Gender Presentations" (2020W)

The Female Cyborg in Film and TV

Continuous assessment of course work

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 40 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 05.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 12.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 19.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 09.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 16.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 23.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 30.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 07.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 14.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 11.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 18.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde
  • Monday 25.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 2H510 UZA II Rotunde

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Inhalt:

Ever since the first examples of science fiction film, the figure of the robot/cyborg has played a prominent role in the genre. Posthuman science fiction has become increasingly popular in the last decades. Film and TV series featuring cyborgs, robots and artificial intelligence reflect current ideological tendencies and address issues such as climate change, transhumanism and feminism.
This course will introduce students to the science fiction genre (including subgenres such as cyberpunk) and posthuman theory with a focus on female cyborgs and how the female body is portrayed. Although we are going through the fourth wave of feminism and initiatives such as the #metoo movement are challenging patriarchy in the western world and in the culture industry, representations of women’s simulacra, such as the female humanoid, function both as an outlet of ‘allowed’ male aggression and a symbolic embodiment of the fear of the powerful woman. Examples will include the female robot as a threat and as a sex object, as well as concepts of reproduction through the image of the cyborg mother. Other topics we will address include notions of identity and technophobia. We will examine seminal films (e.g. Blade Runner) and will cover different genres, such as animation film (e.g. Ghost in the Shell) and film making for television with examples from TV series such as Battlestar Galactica, Westworld and Humans. Through the analysis of different examples of sentient humanoids we will approach different theories, including posthumanism and feminism.

Ziele:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
-Have developed more specific film-analysis skills, in particular, regarding genre.
-Have developed their ability to discuss films in a written and oral manner through presentations, in-class discussions and sequence analyses.
-Be familiar with the genre of posthuman science fiction film and aware of the main arguments with regards to transhumanism and technophobia and be able to apply this knowledge to current socio-political affairs.
-Have experience in critical analysis of films using different theoretical approaches such as posthumanism and feminist theory.

Methoden:

Interactive lectures and seminars that include film screenings and group discussions, so that students are encouraged to participate and develop confidence in building up and expressing their critical thinking.

Assessment and permitted materials

Course assessment:
A. One-pager film reflections (10%)
B. Short critical analysis of a film (800-1000 words) (30%)
C. One of the following options: (60%)
- Short video presentation / Powerpoint with audio (10-15 minutes)
- Essay (1500-2000 words)
- BA Thesis (5000 – 6000 words)

All parts of the course assessment are compulsory. Failing to submit one of these will result in failing the course.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

No prior subject knowledge is required to study this module but students are expected to have a keen interest in the subject area.
Students should be comfortable in spoken and written English.

Attendance is compulsory. There will be a maximum of two absences in order to pass the class.

The class will be divided in two groups and the course will be delivered in hybrid form. Each group will attend in presence every second week while the other group accesses online material and participates in an online discussion. In the online version of the course attendance will be recorded in the form of either participation in the online Moodle discussion or by submitting a short paragraph or two with reflections on the course weekly material.

Examination topics

Reading list


Association in the course directory

Last modified: Sa 02.04.2022 00:21