Universität Wien

124262 KO Critical Media Analysis (2025W)

Bad to the Bone. Anti-Authoritarianism, Outlaws and Social Bandits

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

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. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 10.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 17.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 24.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 31.10. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 07.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 14.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 21.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 28.11. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 05.12. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 12.12. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 19.12. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 09.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 16.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 23.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21
  • Friday 30.01. 12:15 - 13:45 Helene-Richter-Saal UniCampus Hof 8 3G-EG-21

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Representations of the outlaw and anti-authority warrior are laden with common gender and cultural tropes. Anti-establishment figures, what Eric Hobsbawm dubbed social bandits, are considered criminals by the state, but often regarded as heroes and fighters for justice within parts of society. What role do these figures play in cultural media? Students will analyse films such as Ned Kelly, Robin Hood, Thelma & Louise, Mad Max and Taxi Driver among others to discover not only what commonalities recur but also how they appear in film. Students will gain an introduction to film analysis, cultural scripts and deviancy studies as well as the opportunity to develop research methods and essay writing.

Assessment and permitted materials

There will be bi-weekly presentations as well as feedback reports for the other students. Students will write a paper at the end of the semester. Class discussion will be an important factor.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Weekly Feedback & Discussion - 24%
Presentation - 25%
Written paper - 51%

Examination topics

There will be no written exam.

Reading list

Excerpts from the following will be provided online as well as other literature including:
Csaszi, Lajos. “Television Violence and Popular Culture: The Crime Story as Morality Tale.” Filmkultura, 1999.
Gerbner, George. “Cultural Indicators: The Case of Violence in Television Drama.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 388 (Mar. 1970): 69-81.
Marshall, Cynthia. The Shattering of the Self: Violence, Subjectivity, and Early Modern Texts. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins UP, 2002
Smith, S. E. “Artful Violence: Hannibal, True Blood, and Other Visceral Viewing.” This Aint Livin. N.p., 28 June 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Tucker, Ken. “Has TV Become Too Violent?” BBC Culture. BBC.com, 1 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.

Association in the course directory

Studium: BA 612, BEd 046/407
Code/Modul: BA07.3; BEd 08a.2, BEd 08b.1
Lehrinhalt: 12-4260

Last modified: Sa 27.09.2025 16:06