Universität Wien

170532 UE Science Fiction and the Female Body (2021W)

Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
VOR-ORT

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 30 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

Achtung! Ab 23 November DIGITAL!

  • Dienstag 05.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 1, alte WU, Augasse 2-6, EG Kern A
  • Dienstag 12.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 1, alte WU, Augasse 2-6, EG Kern A
  • Dienstag 19.10. 11:30 - 13:00 Hörsaal 1, alte WU, Augasse 2-6, EG Kern A
  • Dienstag 09.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 2H316 UZA II Rotunde
  • Dienstag 16.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 2H316 UZA II Rotunde
  • Dienstag 23.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Digital
  • Dienstag 30.11. 11:30 - 13:00 Digital
  • Dienstag 07.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Digital
  • Dienstag 14.12. 11:30 - 13:00 Digital
  • Dienstag 11.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 2H316 UZA II Rotunde
  • Dienstag 18.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 2H316 UZA II Rotunde
  • Dienstag 25.01. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 1 2H316 UZA II Rotunde

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

From monstrous motherhood to dangerous cyborgs, sexbots and ecofeminism, there is a wide range of female representations in science fiction film and literature. The female body has often been portrayed as the idealised salvation of humanity in its reproductive capacity and therefore also frequently controlled in dystopian and climate fiction narratives.
At the other end of the spectrum, sexbots and female cyborgs in posthuman science fiction are presented as a threat and function both as an outlet of ‘allowed’ male aggression and a symbolic embodiment of the fear of the powerful woman.
This course will introduce students to the science fiction genre (including subgenres such as climate fiction and cyberpunk) and posthuman theory with a focus on female representation and how the female body is portrayed.
Examples will include the female robot as a threat and as a sex object, as well as concepts of reproduction and motherhood. Other topics we will address include notions of identity and technophobia. We will examine seminal films (e.g. Metropolis, Alien, Blade Runner) and will cover different genres, such as animation film (e.g. Ghost in the Shell) and film making for television. Through the analysis of our case studies 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 subgenres of science fiction 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, sequence analyses and group discussions, so that students are encouraged to participate and develop confidence in building up and expressing their critical thinking. Students are given feedback which they can then incorporate in their written assignments, which reinforces their analytical skills and pursuing their own research.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Course evaluation will be through:
a). a short critical analysis of a film or text - 30%
b). one pager reflections - 10% and
c). Take home essay or video presentation - 60%.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

No prior subject knowledge is required to study this module but students are expected to have a keen interest in the subject area.

Attendance is compulsory. A maximum of two absences is permitted in order to pass the class. A third absence will result in a fail (negative mark).

Course assessment

Critical analysis of film (700-800 words or 5 minute video) - 30% of the mark
Due: 23 November 2021
Please write a short critical analysis of a film (or TV series) which is related to our course. It can be any film of your choice and it should not be any of the films we are covering during class. You need to make sure you cover the following:
-very short presentation of film and its context (no long summaries)
-evaluation of film based on critical arguments (not simply if you liked it or not, but why it was/ wasn’t successful, what does it add to the canon, etc.)
You can alternatively present your film analysis in a short (5 minute) video presentation.
Assessment criteria:
Keeping within word length/ time. Covering the points mentioned above. Clarity of expression and argumentation.

One Pager - 10% of the mark
Due: 14 December 2021
A one pager is a page with your reflections on a film (or on something you have read, etc.) using both writing and drawing. In our case it will be your reflections on ‘Under the Skin’, the film we will talk about on Week 9 (14 December). Research has shown that our brain records information better if we use both verbal and visual means. In practice it means you can experiment with your notes or bullet points in how you write them on or around the page, in what shape, order and what drawings or visual tools you use to reflect on these ideas. You will not be evaluated on your artistic competence but on your effort to include text and image. You can do this on a piece of paper you will then scan and upload on Moodle or you can use digital tools if this is what you prefer.
Assessment criteria: understanding of the concepts of the film, communicating your own reflections about it, including both word and image in one page.

Presentation or Essay – 60% of the mark
Due: 18 January 2022
Essay
Write on a topic of your choosing, using one or more films or TV series to address topics we have covered in class, such as posthumanism or feminism. You can focus on a film or make a comparison between two or more films, TV series, video games or any text and medium you prefer.
If you do not wish to choose a topic of your own, you may choose one of the following topics:
● Discuss how the female body is portrayed using examples from two or more films or texts/ media.
● How is the topic of reproduction addressed in science fiction? Discuss using examples from two or more films or texts/ media.
● In which ways can science fiction be political? Discuss with examples of one or more films or texts/ media.
The essay should be between 1200-1700 words of length. (including footnotes, excluding bibliography).
Assessment criteria:
Clarity of expression and argumentation. Keeping within word length. Proper citation of sources and referencing. Understanding of the topic and originality of research.

Presentation
Prepare a 10-15 minute presentation on a topic of your choosing using one or more films or TV series to address topics we have covered in class, such as posthumanism or feminism. You can focus on a film or make a comparison between two or more films, TV series, video games or any text and medium you prefer.
If you do not wish to choose a topic of your own, you may choose one of the suggested topics, as for the essay above.
Your presentation should be either in video format, where you can talk to the camera or over your power point presentation. You can alternatively use the audio recording function within the power point presentation.
You will be marked both on content (research, argumentation, originality of ideas and preparation) and presentation (ability to communicate your ideas clearly, good timekeeping).

Prüfungsstoff

Literatur


Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

Letzte Änderung: Fr 12.05.2023 00:18