Universität Wien

124266 KO Critical Media Analysis (2021S)

Enacting a softer masculinity: The mysterious case of Lt. Columbo

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

Vorläufig online/Online CMA class!
Mittwoch 16:15-17:45
Beginn: 10.03.2021

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Vienna this class is now taught in digital form.
From the first session onwards classes are taught via BigBlueButton. Please regularly check U:SPACE and MOODLE for further Updates.

Our class takes place via BigBlueButton.
Your attendance in the first session is MANDATORY!

Please make sure that the device(laptop, tablet, smartphone) you are using in order to participate has a working microphone and camera.

If class is in session and you are not able to log onto BigBlueButton please DO NOT PANIC.

First try to re-access the platform.

If this does not change anything please contact me via email (ranthild.salzer@univie.ac.at) and I will try to help.

Please take these steps so that I can make sure your absence from our BBB session is not counted as an absence.

  • Wednesday 10.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 17.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 24.03. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 14.04. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 21.04. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 28.04. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 05.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 12.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 19.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 26.05. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 02.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 09.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 16.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 23.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital
  • Wednesday 30.06. 16:15 - 17:45 Digital

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The TV series Columbo-in syndication between 1968 and 2003-was a TV success story. It not only turned the ‘who-did-it’ concept on its head but confronted audiences with a rather unique male hero. Lt. Columbo was calm, soft-spoken, smart and perceptive, instead of displaying normatively masculine demeanors: acting aggressively, brandishing his gun and chasing criminal suspects down the streets of L.A. He presented a sharp contrast to other TV-detectives populating the American TV landscape at the time: from hard-boiled detectives like Mike Hammer to tough cops like Lt. Mike Stone in the TV series The Streets of San Francisco.

This course attempts a reading of the TV series in connection with masculinity studies. If the performative act of gender is, as Judith Butler clarifies, “a practice of improvisation within a scene of constraint”(Butler, 2004:1); then what are the improvisations Lt. Columbo-whose first name the series never discloses-is enacting?

Based on Michael Kimmel, John Beynon and Eric Anderson’s work on American masculinities the TV series is put to a close reading.
Students will use critical theory tools taken from gender studies, film studies and post-structural theory to discuss questions like:
What are ideas about masculinities that inform the TV show and especially its male protagonist?
If hegemonic masculinity“is naturalized in the form of the hero and presented through forms that revolve around heroes”(Donaldson, 1996:646) of which detective fiction surely is one, then how does the character of Lt. Columbo ‘re-arrange’ what it means to embody hegemonic manhood?
The Do’s and Don’ts of ‘Detective Masculinity’ and Lt. Columbo: where does he fit on the checklist?
Peter Falk’s Columbo and fan studies: Years after its premiere the series is not only still in syndication but inspires all kinds of fan cultures. What is the appeal of the show to people today, long after it has hit the TV airwaves?

Assessment and permitted materials

Students will be required to 'read' primary materials with consists of both comics and films. There will also be a list of secondary sources, provided via MOODLE.
They will be asked to hold short presentations in class, hand in written assignments and take a final written test. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this will be done either via digital means or 'offline'. More information will follow shortly.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The final mark will be based on the results of the final written test, the written assignments and the in-class presentation as well as the in-class participation of the students.The final written test will be based on the course sessions and the required reading, consisting of short questions and essay questions to choose from.

The Final Mark is put together from:
Attendance & In-Class participation -15%
Written Assignments - 20%
In-Class Presentation - 20%
Final Written Exam - 45%

Examination topics

The final mark will be based on the results of the final written test, the written assignments and the in-class presentation as well as the in-class participation of the students.The final written test will be based on the course sessions and the required reading, consisting of short questions and essay questions to choose from.

Key-concepts of masculinity and television studies are the focus of this CMA. In the final test students will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of some of masculinity studies/television studies key concepts.

Reading list

Columbo Episodes Watchlist:

“Murder by the book” (1971)
"A Friend in Deed"(1974)
"Try and Catch me" (1977)
“Murder under Glass” (1878)
“Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo” (1990)

Association in the course directory

Studium: UF 344, BA 612, BEd 046/407
Code/Modul: UF 4.2.5-426, BA07.3; BEd 08a.2, BEd 08b.1
Lehrinhalt: 12-4260

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:16