VSA3007

Gender and genre: masculinity in film

(ART)

Leonie Naughton

8 points + 4 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: Either VSA1050, VSA2190 or VA103.06 + Prohibition: CLS3007/VSA4009

Synopsis: The subject invites critical engagement with the sexual politics and idological operations of popular film. Emphasis will be placed upon shifting definitions of masculinity, mosly in recent American cinema. Consideration will be given to the heroic, the mythic and the psychotic identities male protgonists assume in much commercial cinema. The increasing popularity of generic hybirds and the conventions of traditionally masculinised genres such as the buddy film, the road movie, action cinema, and the gangster film will be examined. The tendency of more recent commercial film to stage and parody masculinity as excess will be discussed.

Assessment: Two essays (2500 words each): 40% each + Test (1 hour): 20%