WMN2030

Women, Media, Consumption: Feminist Cultural Studies

(ART)

Dr Denise Cuthbert

8 points + First semester + Clayton + 2 hours contact and 14 hours private study per week + Prerequisites: A first-year sequence + Prohibitions: CLS2340/CLS3340

Synopsis: Subject offers an introduction to the field of intellectual inquiry of feminist cultural studies by exploring questions of women and gender in the interrelated fields of media and consumption. Gender as an analytical category will be deployed both in relation to the production of popular culture and its consumption. Topics covered include reading television/film, shopping, fashion, food and diet. Students are introduced to relevant theoretical and critical writing in relation to these topics for analysis, discussion and independent research. The subject emphasises the acquisition of skills and introduces library-based and other research skills needed in more advanced work in the field.

Assessment: Bibliographic/research skills exercise (1500 words): 20% + Seminar participation: 10% + Research essay (3000 words): 50% + In-class test (1.5 hour): 20%