2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

FILM5040M Hollywood and its Others

30 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Chris Homewood
Email: c.j.homewood@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

None

Pre-requisites

NONE

This module is mutually exclusive with

MODL3040

Hollywood and its Others

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores the representation of marginalised groups in Hollywood cinema. For its detractors on the Right of the political spectrum, Hollywood has in recent years been accused of ‘going woke’; of catering to the Left’s apparent demands regarding diversity, equality, and more. For many on the Left, however, Hollywood is still understood as an amorally capitalistic and, in terms of minority representation, anachronistic cultural entity whose films serve to reinforce conservative hierarchies of gender, sexuality, and race. This module will offer students a critical insight into the representational processes employed by the ‘dream factory’ that often cast individuals, groups, even entire cultures, in the role of ‘Other.’ The module will encourage students to think about the ways in which questions of representation have been explored by cultural theorists and film scholars.

Objectives

The aim of this module is to deepen students’ understanding of theoretical concepts surrounding the representation of difference or 'otherness' in Hollywood cinema. The module will introduce students to new research and scholarship in Film Studies related to the representation of marginalised groups in Hollywood. Via a series of case studies from a wide variety of genres, students will be encouraged to investigate how, and to which ideological ends, minority figures within Western society and other cultures are portrayed by the Hollywood system.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
LO1: demonstrate an understanding of the core intellectual and theoretical issues related to minority representation in Hollywood cinema.
LO2: demonstrate an awareness of historical and contemporary developments in minority representation in Hollywood cinema.
LO3: demonstrate an ability to recognise, classify and show sensitivity towards different forms and concepts of othering / otherness.
LO4: demonstrate an understanding of the geopolitical and industrial developments that underpin contemporary changes to minority representation in Hollywood.
LO5: evaluate and criticise received opinion

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical debates surrounding the production and reception of Otherness in Hollywood cinema
- identify connections between different films and film clusters and clearly articulate these connections.
- conduct detailed individual research.

Syllabus

This module will explore the theories and practices of minority representation in Hollywood. Emphasis will be placed on films from representatives of the dominant culture who claim to know minority cultures.
The module is divided into three thematic blocks. The first block focuses on the representation of women in the traditionally masculine action genre. The second focuses on the representation of sexual minorities across a variety of genres. The third focuses on the representation of racial difference. In this block, students will explore the representation of African-American subject positions as well as the implications which the rise of China’s film market holds for Hollywood’s understanding of China and Chinese(-American) identities.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			240.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			260.00

Private study

- Additional Film Viewing: 20 x 2 hours = 40 hours
- Background reading and preparation for seminars = 60 hours
- Background reading and preparation for formative presentations = 20 hours
- Reading, drafting and writing up literature review = 50 hours
- Reading, drafting and writing up essay = 70 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored on a regular basis via classroom participation, group discussions and presentations (formative), which will also allow for peer feedback. Students will also be given formal feedback on their first assignment (1 x 2000 word literature review = 40%). This feedback will help them formulate their own research question and produce their final module essay (1 x 3000 word essay).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 words	60.00
Literature Review	1000 words	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 03/10/2023

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