Gender in Film (150 points)
Introduction
While films seem to be more diverse in the stories that they tell and the people that help to tell those stories, Hollywood still has a long way to go when featuring
women as major protagonists.
Task
Your task is to develop a 4-5 page MLA formatted essay in which you explore how gender is depicted in a superhero film. Pay particular attention to the connection
between gender and power, violence and knowledge.
Suggest superhero films: Guardians of the Galaxy, The Incredibles, Iron Man (2 and/or 3), Captain America, Captain America: Winter Solider, The Avengers, The Avengers:
Age of Ultron, The Fantastic Four, The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Hulk, The Incredible Hulk, Batman (any version), Superman (any version),
Catwoman, Daredevil, Elektra, X-Men (any film in series), Big Hero 6, Toy Story (any film in series), Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Kung Fu Panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Blade
(any film in series).
Here is some information about gender to inspiring your thinking and viewing. Also, think about the information presented in the documentary Codes of Gender: Identity
and Performance in Pop Culture.
Bechdel Test: devised to determine if female characters in a given film is significant
1. The film must have at least two (2) women in it with full names (can’t be hooker 1 or nurse)
2. These two (2) women must talk to each other
3. When these two (2) women talk to each other, it must be about something besides a man
Kinds of Men and Women
• Feminine women: Princess Leia
• Hyper-feminine women: Pepper Potts, Rogue
• Hyper-sexual women: Lara Croft, Black Widow, Jean Grey
• Masculine men: Professor X, Magneto, Tony Stark
• Hyper-masculine men: Logan/Wolverine, Superman, Batman, Luke Cage
• Hyper-sexualized men: Logan/Wolverine, Drax, Luke Cage
• Alpha (men/women) shoot first ask questions later/always take the lead: Logan/Wolverine, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Han Solo
• Beta (men/women) they are the muscle, ready to fight/support the Alpha: Chewbacca,
• Gamma (men/women) they are the comic relief, very intelligent and peacekeepers: Peter Quill/Star Lord, Black Widow
Questions: you might consider how the film you selected responds to these questions about gender
• How are women/men depicted in the film? Are they stereotypical or do they challenge stereotypes?
• Who has power in the film? How is the power acquired? (born with it, taken from other(s), earned, or some other way)
• How is power depicted? (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, some combination)
Your essay must meet the following requirements:
• 4-5 pages (not including Works Cited page)
• Double spaced
• MLA Format
• Clear specific thesis statement
• Clear specific and concrete main ideas
• Well-developed discussion of main ideas
• Specific examples from the film
• Required quotation/paraphrase from two (2) outside sources (no block quotes)
• Works Cited page
• Free of spelling and grammar errors
Process
There are two parts to this assignment:
• Part I: Paper (100 points)
• Part II: Reflection (50 points)
Part I: Paper (100 points)
Due: Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 11:30pm
Your task is to develop a 4-5 page MLA formatted essay in which you explore either how gender is depicted in a superhero film.
Part II: Reflection (50 points)
Due: Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 11:30pm
Answer the following questions in a 2-3 page MLA formatted document using specific details and full and complete paragraphs. Do not include the questions, bullets or
numbers:
• What did you learn about your personal writing style and habits from working on this assignment?
• What are your writing strengths? What writing areas do you still feel you need work on?
• What the most challenging aspect of this writing assignment?
• What did you like or enjoy about this aspect of the writing assignment?
• What would you differently if you had the time?
• What are you most proud of when you think about your work on the assignment?
• What are you most proud of when you think about your personal writing development?
• Any other comments . . .
Evaluation
Your paper will be evaluated using the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) rubric.
Conclusion
Having completed this assignment, you will have demonstrated your ability to clearly state your position on a topic, support your writing with specific reasons.
