Feminist film and media studies

The course is a freestanding course.

Admission to the course requires the completion of courses totaling at least 180 higher education credits, equivalent to the requirements for a bachelor's degree in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification. Additionally, English 6/English B from Swedish upper secondary school or the equivalent level on an internationally recognized test, such as TOEFL or IELTS, is required.

The course provides advanced knowledge and analytical tools within the field of feminist film and media studies. Students will read and discuss foundational theoretical texts as well as current research in the field. They will also engage with and analyze a variety of audiovisual and other media materials. By examining the central concepts, debates, and strands of the field from contextualizing and intersectional perspectives, students will gain experience in using and relating to theory and methodology in a reflective and critical manner. The course offers in depth insights into aspects such as archival research, historiography, interpretive and reading practices, as well as questions related to decolonial and queer theories.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe and critically discuss the theoretical and methodological development within feminist film and media studies from the 1970s to the present,
• demonstrate a deep and historically and politically contextualized understanding of central concepts, debates, and strands within the field,

Skills and abilities 

• independently identify, formulate, and critically analyze relevant issues within feminist film and media studies,
• independently use and problematize central concepts within the field in relation to relevant media materials,
• apply relevant methodological perspectives to analyze and generate knowledge about empirical material within the course's focus area,
• present and argue for their own analyses in a critical and constructive manner, both in writing and orally, and actively contribute to discussions and reflections on others' work.

Evaluative skills and attitudes 

• systematically examine and critically engage with complex theoretical and methodological questions within the course’s focus area,
• independently assess empirical material within the course's framework,
• weigh different voices against one another and take a stance on various debates within feminist film and media studies.

The course is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, group assignments, and an individual project that students will work on throughout the course.

Language of instruction: English.

The course is continuously assessed through seminar presentations and a final written home exam. Mandatory sessions may be replaced with an alternative assignment.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Aspects of gender equality and equal treatment will be considered in the content, the literature, the teaching, and the evaluations of the course.

This is a translated version of the Swedish original. In case of differences between the Swedish version and the English translation, the Swedish original shall prevail.