Assignments: Batch Two: Assignment 13

Explore different ways in which erotic or romantic interaction between men have been handled on screen, comparing and contrasting with the portrayal of equivalent heterosexual interaction. What might the treatment of such themes be taken to say about sex and/or romantic love between men?

Guidance

For general guidance about what is expected in your essays for this module, see the guidelines for writing essays and reports.

What Key Features Do I Look For?

  • Familiarity with relevant texts
  • Evidence - the stronger the better
  • Argument - coherent and balanced
  • Theoretical discussion - relation to relevant theories
  • Understanding of relevant concepts
  • Reflexivity - reflections on methodology
  • Examples - insightfully analysed
  • Style - readability and effective presentation

Please remember to avoid footnotes and to include an alphabetical list of 'References' which have been cited in the text (not a Bibliography of anything you have read for the essay). This list should include author's names, date, book titles (in italics), place of publication and publisher. Within the text always cite author's surname, date and page number. Double-space your text and number your pages.

Guidance for this assignment: One obviously relevant film is Sebastiane (Paul Humfress & Derek Jarman 1976); others are Un Chant d'Amour (Jean Genet 1950) and Brokeback Mountain (Ang Lee 2005). However, Do not confine yourself to films shown in the module's screening sessions. An investigation of audience responses (e.g. interviews) would be an advantage. At all costs, avoid 'moralising' about the subject - about what film-makers or policymakers should or should not do about this - stick to the topic!

Note also that this is an assignment for which the inclusion of relevant pictorial illustrations may be useful. Use these to illustrate particular points. Contrasting one with another can also be productive. Incorporate illustrations electronically into your text (e.g. by scanning or downloading from the Internet) rather than literally cutting and pasting. For guidance on capturing stills, click here.

Some suggested reading

Note: Treat with extreme caution sources labelled with this symbol!


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