Faculty of Arts
MODULE/UNIT
DESCRIPTOR
Title
Code
Level
Credit rating
Pre-requisites
Type of module/unit
Aims
Learning outcomes
Gender and Sexuality on the Screen
HD557
5
20
None
Core
- to develop students’ critical understanding of concepts and
theories concerning the study of representations of gender and
sexuality in screen media
- to develop students’ critical understanding of concepts and
theories concerning the study of relationships between screen
media and certain identity formations of gender and sexuality
- to further develop students’ academic skills, including correct
referencing practices and academic styles of presenting an
argument
By the completion of this module students will be able to
demonstrate:
- understanding of concepts and theories concerning the study of
gender and sexuality in screen media
- appreciation of the representations and constructions of
dominant and transgressive forms of femininity and masculinity
across screen media
- appreciation of the way screen cultures targeted at gendered
and sexualised audiences construct spectators, viewers and
users
- awareness of dominant and transgressive models of sexuality,
such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, and
monogamy as expressed through screen media
- development of academic skills, including correct referencing
practices and academic styles of presenting an argument
Content
This module is divided between discussion of gender and analysis
of sexuality in screen media, including film, television, digital
games, and the internet. In seminars students will consider
concepts and theories that have informed the study of
representations and constructions of gender and sexuality in
screen media. Using media examples, accompanied by film and
television screenings when appropriate, students will consider
distinctions between dominant and challenging images of gender
and sexuality. The ways in which screen media construct their
audiences as gendered or sexualised – for example, television
programmes targeted at women, videogames aimed at men,
popular films that assume a heterosexual norm – are also critically
considered.
Teaching and
learning strategies
This module is run as a three-hour workshop. Students will be
introduced, through key readings, to concepts and theories
concerning the study of representation in screen media. Readings
will also explore concepts and theories concerning the study of
relationships between screen media and certain identity
formations of gender and sexuality. This module is divided
between discussion of gender and analysis of sexuality in screen
media, including film, television, digital games, and the internet. In
seminars students will consider concepts and theories that have
informed the study of representations and constructions of gender
and sexuality in screen media. Using media examples,
accompanied by film and television screenings when appropriate,
students will consider distinctions between dominant and
challenging images of gender and sexuality. The Presentation
assesses students’ understanding of concepts and theories
concerning the study of gender and sexuality in screen media;
appreciation of the representations and constructions of dominant
and transgressive forms of femininity and masculinity across
screen media; awareness of dominant and transgressive models
of sexuality, such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism,
and monogamy as expressed through screen media. The Essay
and Seen Exam additionally assess students’ appreciation of the
way screen cultures targeted at gendered and sexualised
audiences construct spectators, viewers and users; and the
development of academic skills, including correct referencing
practices and academic styles of presenting an argument.
Key Information Set
data: Allocation of
study hours to
activities
Where 20 credits = 200
learning hours
Activity
SCHEDULED
Study hours
36
Lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations,
practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshop/
studio, fieldwork, external visits, work-based learning
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY
164
Independent study including wider reading/ practice, follow-up work,
completion of assessment tasks, revision etc
PLACEMENT
0
Learning away from the University that is not a year abroad or workbased learning
Learning support
Workshop; tutorials; electronic learning environment; bibliography
Indicative Reading:
Chris Beasley (2005) Gender and Sexuality: critical theories,
critical thinkers London: Sage.
Pamela Church Gibson and Henry Jenkins (eds) (2003) More
Dirty Looks: Gender, Pornography and Power, London: BFI.
Richard Dyer (2002) The Matter of Images: Essays on
Representation, London: Routledge.
David Gauntlett (2008) Media, Gender and Identity: An
Introduction, London: Routledge.
Chrys Ingraham (1999) White Weddings: Romancing
Heterosexuality in Popular Culture, London: Routledge.
Sherrie A. Inness (ed) (2004) Action Chicks: New Images of
Tough Women in Popular Culture, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Assessment tasks
Andy Medhurst and Sally R. Munt (1997) Lesbian and Gay
Studies: A Critical Introduction, London: Cassell.
Presentation 25%
The presentation will be assessed on the extent to which the
students have demonstrated:
- understanding of concepts and theories concerning the study of
gender and sexuality in screen media
- appreciation of the representations and constructions of
dominant and transgressive forms of femininity and masculinity
across screen media
- awareness of dominant and transgressive models of sexuality,
such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, and
monogamy as expressed through screen media
2,500 word Essay 35%
The essay will be assessed on the extent to which the students
have demonstrated:
- understanding of concepts and theories concerning the study of
gender and sexuality in screen media
- appreciation of the representations and constructions of
dominant and transgressive forms of femininity and masculinity
across screen media
- appreciation of the way screen cultures targeted at gendered
and sexualised audiences construct spectators, viewers and
users
- awareness of dominant and transgressive models of sexuality,
such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, and
monogamy as expressed through screen media
- development of academic skills, including correct referencing
practices and academic styles of presenting an argument
3,000 word Seen Exam 40%
The seen exam will be assessed on the extent to which students
have demonstrated:
- understanding of concepts and theories concerning the study of
gender and sexuality in screen media
- appreciation of the representations and constructions of
dominant and transgressive forms of femininity and masculinity
across screen media
- appreciation of the way screen cultures targeted at gendered
and sexualised audiences construct spectators, viewers and
users
- awareness of dominant and transgressive models of sexuality,
such as heterosexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, and
monogamy as expressed through screen media
- development of academic skills, including correct referencing
practices and academic styles of presenting an argument
Key Information Set
data:
Type of assessment
tasks
Activity
WRITTEN
Summative assessment tasks
which lead to the award of
credit or which are required for
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output
%
40
Written exam
COURSEWORK
PRACTICAL
35
25
progression (expressed as a
whole number)
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment
OTHER
0
Set exercises assessing application of knowledge, analytical, problemsolving or evaluative skills
Brief description of
module/unit content
and/or aims
(maximum 80
words)
Area examination
board to which
module/unit relates
Module or unit team/
authors/coordinator
Semester offered,
where appropriate
Site where delivered
Date of first
approval
Date of last revision
Date of approval of
this version
Version number
Replacement for
previous
module/unit
Field for which
module/unit is
acceptable and
status in that field
Course(s) for which
module/unit is
acceptable and
status in that course
School home
External examiner
This module explores the representations and constructions of
gender and sexuality in screen cultures, texts and technologies.
Since the advent of early media technologies, images of
masculinity and femininity, of heterosexuality and of
homosexuality have filled the screens. This course examines the
ways in which screen media have historically contributed to
understandings of what it means to be a man, what it means to be
a woman, and what are acceptable and unacceptable definitions
of sexuality.
Examination Board for Film & Screen Studies
Film & Screen Studies
1
Falmer
September 2010
April 2012
2
Art and the Screen (HD2110) and Film History core lecture 3
(HD2109)
Film & Screen Studies - Compulsory
Film & Screen Studies - Compulsory
Humanities
Dr Corin Depper