American Queer Film and Media 4219-SD0003
The course examines films which address non-heteronormative sexualities, identitifications, relationships, and communities in the US, be it gay, lesbian, transgender or queer. We will discuss such topics as: American changing perceptions of non-heterosexual identities and choices; the role of censorship in American cinema; intersections of sexuality and gender, race and class; AIDS; camp aesthetic; the uses of the erotic; non-heteronormative bodies; identity politics; queer politics; homonormativity; representation.
• Introduction. Before Stonewall, 1984; The Celluloid Closet, 1995
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
• Desert Hearts (1985)
• Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
• Tongues Untied (1989),
• Paris Is Burning (1990),
• Longtime Companion (1990),
• Philadelphia (1993)
• Watermelon Woman (1996)
• Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
• Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
• The Laramie Project (2002)
• Angels in America (2003), part I i II
• Brokeback Mountain (2005)
• Transparent (selected episodes)
Type of course
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
Students acquire general knowledge about the history of LGBT filmmaking in North America, particularly the U.S.
Students are familiar with films about, among others, the history of nonheteronormative people; the relationship between LGBTQ issues and gender and race; the history of the AIDS epidemic
Students are familiar with selected theoretical approaches to LGBTQ issues and categories such as "coming-out" film; film memoir; New Queer Cinema.
Skills:
Students are capable of analyzing film works in their formal and thematic dimensions.
Social skills:
Students know how to participate in an academic discussion
Social Skills:
Assessment criteria
The grade will be deterined on the basis of:
1. Viewing questions: after watching a film the students will answer a set of questions about it (30%)
2. Class attendance and participation (30%)
3. Final essay (40%)
Bibliography
Films: The Celluloid Closet (1995); Before Stonewall; The Children’s Hour (1961), Pink Flamingos (1972), The Rocky Horror Picture Show
(1975), Desert Hearts (1985), Torch Song Trilogy (1988), Tongues Untied (1989), Paris Is Burning (1990), Longtime Companion (1990),
Swoon (1992); Philadelphia (1993), Watermelon Woman (1996), High Art (1998), But I’m a Cheerleader (1999), Boys Don’t Cry (1999),
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), The Laramie Project (2002), Angels in America (2003), Brokeback Mountain (2005), Shortbus (2006),
also episodes od film series: Queer as Folk i The L Word; videos by Sadie Benning.
Critical texts: Teresa de Lauretis, Judith Butler, Audre Lorde, Adrienne Rich, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, Kobena Mercer, Judith
Halberstam, B. Ruby Rich, Richard Dyer, Douglas Crimp.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: