Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2024 - HUM 318 B100

Heroines in Greece and Beyond: Political Representations of Women in Film and Literature (4)

Class Number: 4428

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines the impact of national and political contexts upon individual women, their personal histories, political engagement, memories and identities. Traces archetypes of women from the Greek world into different contexts. Students with credit for HS 318 or GSWS 318 or HS 303 under the title "Political Representations of Women in Film and Literature" may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Léo Caillard. Hipster in Stone III, 2017.  

This course examines the impact of national and socio-political contexts upon individual women along with their personal histories, political engagement, and contributions to different causes and movements; their memories and identities. It begins by examining archetypes of women in the ancient Greek world before moving onto providing reflections on past and present representations of women in a wider range of writings and films produced in Europe, North America, Latin America and the Balkans. It presents the stories of women of different class, race, religion, ethnicity, while focusing on their responses to various forms of violence and injustices. The course explores the obstacles and challenges women are presented with in different cultural, social settings of the 20th c and their legacies in the 21st c.; the different forms of power and control exercised in public and private spheres. Students are called to reflect on how culture (film, literature) can enrich our understanding of others’ identities (makings of, experiences); can critique the failings of different societies, but also identify a range of invaluable responses, actions, of individuals seeking change. The course offers a critical analysis on the continuities and discontinuities of women’s representations while reflecting on the un/makings of identities, on gender, theory, and politics, along with references to legacies and contemporary debates.  

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Demonstrating familiarity with a range of theories, texts, and films from across the globe 
  • Evaluating and contextualizing sources within specific cultural contexts 
  • Developing critical and analytical thinking while engaging with sources and peers 
  • Constructing and presenting arguments effectively, in presentations, debates, written assignments 
  • Developing a deeper understanding of a range of cultural, social, and political issues across the globe  
  • Establishing connections between case studies and their impact on different communities 

Grading

  • Participation 12%
  • Presentation 15%
  • In-class exercises (4) 20%
  • Podcast episode 18%
  • Portfolio (3 entries) 35%

NOTES:

This course fulfills the Global Humanities requirements for the  

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  • Whitehead, Stephen. Talahite, Anissa. Moodley, Roy. Gender and identity; key themes and new directions. Oxford University Press, 2013. ISBN 978-0195444902 (available at VitalSource/Amazon)

Links to all other required and recommended course materials - including articles, films, and literary texts - will be available on Canvas.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.