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This course introduces students to the study of media with particular emphasis on film studies and representations of gender in media. On the occasion of Clint Eastwood’s 90th birthday in May 2020, our examples will come from the wide variety of Eastwood movies. During his long career, Eastwood acted in different roles in media productions: from actor (TV series and films) to director and producer, his oeuvre includes movies from diverse genres: Western, action movie, thriller, comedy, melodrama, war movie etc. This course will provide students with a tool kit to critically analyze different media productions and investigate how media productions are shaped by current discourses in society while they at the same time shape these discourses. Students will be introduced to foundations of film studies, for example film narrative, cinematique techniques, approaches to contextual interpretation, genre analysis etc. Furthermore, we will explore how Eastwood movies are shaped by historical and social contexts while they contribute to and influence discourses in society at the same time. We will critically investigate gender representations in his movies, especially representations of masculinities and discuss the relevance of these representations within the context of the respective movies.
Readings/materials: A selection of relevant essays and excerpts from books will be made available via moodle. The course will include obligatory film screenings, details to be announced.
Course requirements: Completion of reading assignments, a short (oral) presentation, and an essay and/or test at the end of the course. Students are required to attend obligatory film screenings and watch (excerpts) from movies in advance of the sessions in which we discuss them. Regular attendance and active participation in seminar discussions is expected. |
