This is a course examining the representation of women in the cinematic medium. We will especially focus on the intersection of two interpretive theories (psychoanalysis and feminism) and their multi-varied application to the literary text that is cinema. Or—to put it another way—we will consider psychoanalytic-feminist readings of film with particular interest on questions of dream, hysteria and transference. Why this focus? There are three reasons. First, psychoanalytic-feminist readings of film have proven endlessly adaptive. Therefore, we will also pick up smatterings of structuralism, deconstruction, reader-response, Marxist and queer theories as we read. Second, psychoanalytic-feminist readings of film have been culturally significant. Everyone has stumbled upon the phrase ‘male gaze.’ This permits us to observe closely how a theory overlays a text and vice-versa (and even how cultural interpretations become in time part of the culture). Third, it permits us to watch movies (which are 'texts') and get credit for it. Therefore, there might even be pleasure involved (although, as any psychoanalytic critic can tell you, pleasure is very problematic term, [and so might this one be]). There will also (since we dabble in psychoanalysis) be (lots of) parentheses. If we get hopelessly lost, so be it. Losing yourself is fun too.
- Teacher: Rob Smith