Feminist politics and the future(s) of feminism are situated at a key inflection point, and we see this reflected in cinema and television that feature the lived experiences of women-identified subjects. This seminar offers an introduction to the history of debates in feminist cinema—how to best represent women’s lives, the role of avant-garde interventions, and the importance of diversity in directors, cast, and experiences on screen.
The seminar will be organized around feminist aesthetic and technical interventions regarding the gaze, camerawork, sound, and so on, as well as themes that speak to experiences in life stages of women-identified, diverse subjects. Films will consist of a mix of avant-garde, independent, foreign, documentary, and Hollywood cinema and television. Models for teaching feminist themes and ideas via assigning specific films or television series will be explored. Conversations with students about feminist media can facilitate student learning not only about the issues presented but also about how aesthetic forms and representations are themselves political interventions that shape how viewers understand our own experiences.
This seminar is interdisciplinary and is intended for those who work in, or have an interest in, the humanities and social sciences. Those who already teach or write about feminist film and those who wish to simply learn more about this area are all welcome to the seminar.
When & Where
Seminar Schedule. Seminars run Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a midday communal lunch. Seminar conveners may adjust the class schedule in response to participant needs. Special events may also be held during the week. Participants are required to attend the full week of seminar meetings and maintain 90% attendance overall.
Seminar Materials. Eligible participants are provided with all required seminar materials (books, articles, laboratory equipment, and entrance fees).
Accommodations & Meals. Limited housing accommodations are provided to participants who live more than 50 miles from the program site. All admitted participants are provided with some meals during the program period.
Application Procedure. Applicants should submit the completed application along with all of the following:
- A statement of intent that indicates how the seminar participant will apply what is learned at the home institution
- A current CV
- A letter of support from either the division dean or department head, who is well-acquainted with the applicant’s area of research
- Their institutional liaison officer’s approval