Universität Wien
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124265 KO Critical Media Analysis (2016W)

Once Upon a Time Here and Now

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

Every culture has myths and legends which explain the world they live in and incorporate in narrative pressing realities of their time and place. The European tradition of fairytales which emerged in the 18th century contributed to building the national imaginary and encoded socio-cultural beliefs about family structure and gender roles, attitudes to money, and were coping mechanisms to deal with the unknown, the unsettling, and the undesirable. Not merely children’s stories, fairy tales, as Marina Warner puts it, are “stories held in common about our deepest dilemmas [. . .] bearers of wisdom, deep, thought-provoking, and illuminating.” This class studies the key themes of 1) home and the unknown, 2) gender roles and transgression, and 3) fantasy and alterity across different retellings, different media forms, and for different target audiences. We analyse their constant evolution to reflect changing social and cultural mores, and look at their translation across cultures, languages and different historical times.
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 07.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 14.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 21.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 28.10. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 04.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 11.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 18.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 25.11. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 02.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 09.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 16.12. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 13.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 20.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17
  • Friday 27.01. 14:00 - 16:00 Raum 5 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-O1-17

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

To apply the tools of CMA to certain fairytales across different media types. To introduce students to analytical techniques of visual media including social semiotics and multi modality. To encourage students to apply CMA to media texts of their choice through an individual final essay topic. A course focus on pedagogical applications of CMA and academic essay writing makes this class relevant to students’ further study.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular attendance and class participation (20%), one class presentation (20%), one final essay research plan (10%) and a final essay applying CMA techniques to a fairytale chosen by the student (50%).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

Reading list

Text: Marina Warner, Once Upon a Time: A Short History of the Fairy Tale (2014)
And “Managing Monsters” BBC Reith Lectures (podcast): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00gmw3z/episodes/player
Students should be also be familiar with the following primary resources that will be discussed in class:
Grimm’s Fairytale Classics (Anime, 1987)
Maleficent (Disney film, 2014)
Once Upon a Time (TV series)
Roald Dahl, Revolting Rhymes, Angela Carter, The Bloody Chamber

More reading material will be available on moodle and a list of media to watch at home will be provided.

Association in the course directory

Studium: UF 344, BA 612, BEd 046
Code/Modul: UF 4.2.5-426, BA07.3; BEd 08a.2, BEd 08b.1
Lehrinhalt: 12-4260

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 11:00