Course Catalogue

Feminist Film Theory FTV4117

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Culture and Creative Arts
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course examines feminist film theory from the 1970s to the present, providing a survey of discourses on cinematic identification, sexual representation, feminist avant-gardes, feminized aesthetics, feminist film historiography, and women's reception practices. Challenges to universalized womanhood arising from intersectional, critical race, queer, trans*, and critical disability methodologies will be kept in focus throughout. The screening programme will provide students with an opportunity to view a variety of films directed by women, as well as presenting several frameworks for reconsidering films directed by men.

Timetable

10 x 1hr lecture

10 x 1hr seminar

10 x 2hr screening 

Over ten weeks as scheduled on MyCampus

Requirements of Entry

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Film and Television Studies and Creative Arts and Industries, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Written Essay or Audiovisual Essay (2000 words/5 minutes) - 40%

■ Written Essay or Audiovisual Essay (2000 words/5 minutes) - 60%

 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There are no alternatives to the essays, but flexible deadlines and extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

 

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Offer a survey of feminist film theory from 1970 to the present

■ Study a range of issues and debates surrounding gender and cinematic representation

■ Introduce the relationships between feminist film theory, feminist political thought, and women's film cultures (as directors and spectators) since 1970

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ appraise the major debates, methodologies and shifts in feminist film theory

■ employ textual analysis to debate representations of gender in key screen texts

■ evaluate the relationship between feminist film theory, feminist political thought, and women's film cultures since 1970

■ construct arguments utilising feminist film theory in written and/or audiovisual formats

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions