Hauptseminar Gender in Disney Feature Films

-The Prince lifted Snow White onto his white horse. Together they rode off into the golden light of the setting sun”. Gender stereotyping in Disney’s animated feature films is not very subtle and depictions of heroine and hero follow recurring patterns. In this seminar weekly film screenings are paired with critical readings to foster our analyses of the politics of gender representation that are particular to Disney. Early on in the term students will learn about film theory and criticism, and gain exposure to basic concepts about gender. Focusing on recurring identity tropes, such as the princess, the stepmother, the prince, and the villain, we will identify the characteristics of the Disney animated film within the context of the larger genre of the musical and Classical Hollywood Cinema, which includes specificities of narrative, sound, plot development, and visual style. We will analyze historical, social and political contexts of the Disney film under discussion and the social values cultivated and endorsed by Disney and American society. Our main research question will be how social perspectives and history have transformed these values and gender representations over time. You are expected to submit 3 critical responses (2 pages, approximately 400-500words) over the course of the semester. These short discussion papers should reflect your critical observations and ideas about the films we screen and include discussion and analysis of at least one course reading about film. A reader with all seminar texts will be made available at the copy shop Reckhammer Weg after the first session. Anglistik Universität Duisburg-Essen SoSe 2014 M.A. Roth Corinna M.A