Reference no: EM132700374 , Length: word count:2500

Need to choose one topic given below so you can choose anyone.

Choose ONE topic from the list below:

1. Explain the key issues raised by Judith Butler's theory of Gender Performativity, then analyse and interpret Paris is Burning (or episodes from RuPaul's Drag Race, or other examples involving drag from art or visual culture) through the lens of her theories. What does drag reveal about the nature of gender (according to Butler)? How do we see these ideas operating in the examples of drag you have chosen?

2. In Paris is Burning we see issues concerning race, class, gender, and sexuality intersecting. Undertake an intersectional analysis of the film, which takes into account intersectional theories and Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity. How do we see race, class, gender, sexuality (or any other aspects of identity) intersecting in this film and what issues are raised? What does the film suggest about how different aspects of our identities are culturally constructed?

3. Create 2 to 4 memes that deal with issues concerning gender performativity or sexuality or queer or trans / non-binary / fluid identities (choose just one theme). With reference to relevant theories, theorists, and scholarly texts discuss the context of the meme, the references in it, the multiple layers of meaning, its relation to similar memes, the social critique, or the use of humour / irony / sarcasm (these are suggestions - choose the angle that is most relevant to your examples). Alternatively choose several existing memes and analyse and compare them in relation to the above issues. Note - you must provide good quality versions of the memes within your document (approx. 1/4 to 1/2 page size).

4. Attitudes towards (and concepts of) non-heterosexual sexualities have shifted across time, in different discourses, and have manifested differently in various cultures. Visual culture and art have often reflected these different attitudes and perspectives towards sexuality. Choose a particular historical, cultural, national, or discursive context concerning non-hetero sexualities and explain the key issues and events that informed attitudes and perspectives. Analyse at least 2 artworks or visual artefacts that illustrate these attitudes, concepts, and contexts. (Note - you should be considerate of cultural and historical contexts in your response, and show an awareness of any inconsistencies, such as differences in attitudes towards men / women / other genders / different races etc.). Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts.

5. Examine the role that art and / or visual culture has played in LGBTIQA+ activism (you may narrow this down to one particular identity or issue, e.g. AIDS activism, Marriage Equality activism, Trans activism, etc.). You essay must contextualise the activist movement in relation to relevant social / historical / cultural / theoretical issues. Analyse at least 2 artworks or visual artefacts in relation to the aims, objectives, ideological position, of the activist group / artist. Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts.

6. Explain the key concerns of queer theory and its context and lineage. Explain what the verb 'to queer' means and what 'queering' is (as a critical or artistic strategy). Analyse at least 2 examples of art and/or visual culture and/or museum curation that 'queer' gender, race, sexuality, nationality, or other aspects of identity or culture (or a combination of these). Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts.

7. Explain the strategies used by curators in the process of queering museum collections (or art gallery collections) and contextualise such practices in relation to queer theory. What are the objectives and significance of such projects? Outline the details and context of at least 2 such projects or examples (e.g. 'Queering the Museum Online') and analyse at least one object from each project through a queer lens. Critically explore any issues, tensions, or limitations of such projects (e.g. how objects may be interpreted differently in different contexts, ethical issues, looking at historical objects through a contemporary lens, etc.). Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts.

8. Transgender people have often been represented in stereotypical and problematic ways in films and television shows. Analyse at least 2 representations of trans people from film or television that offer different perspectives or raise different issues. Your analysis should take into account issues such as heteronormativity, gender roles, the lived experience of gender, positive representations, binary notions of gender, and who should play trans roles. Are your chosen representations misguided, stereotypical, dangerous, simplistic or one dimensional, offensive, realistic, sympathetic, positive (or other)? Why? What are the implications of having young trans people growing up being exposed to such representations? Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts.

9. Gender scholars suggest that the Western binary notion of gender is a cultural construct. A range of non-Western cultures support concepts of gender diversity that contrast with the traditional Western binary concept of gender. In colonised countries, colonial / imperial power dynamics combine with patriarchal, heteronormative, and racist systems of oppression. What are the implications, effects, and consequences of binary notions of gender on colonised or non-Western peoples? Analyse at least 2 examples of art and / or visual culture that attempt to decolonise gender or challenge (or queer) the Western heteronormative / binary concept of gender. Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts.

10. Non-binary gender identities encompass a wide variety of subjectivities (including gender queer, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-Western alternative gender identities, and other alternatives). Non-binary identities may have a complex and sometimes ambivalent relation to existing gender identities and have 'non-binary' lived experiences of their own gender. Critically examine and explain the social, cultural, and theoretical contexts around these complexities, ambivalences, and experiences (you may narrow this down to a couple of key issues, e.g. gendered bathrooms, having to nominate a gender when filling in forms, being misgendered, hiding gender identity, use of pronouns, not conforming to traditional gender expressions etc.). Analyse at least 2 examples from art and / or visual culture that engage with non-binary identities and reflect relevant issues. Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts. Note - this topic can also be done in relation to transgender identities rather than (or in addition to) non-binary. Please clearly identify which identity (or identities) you are writing about in your essay introduction.

11. This topic relates to 'Queering the Museum Online' and has two parts.

Part 1. Choose an object or a response from 'Queering the Museum Online' and write your own personal response (up to 500 words approx.) to the object that engages with one or more of the concepts of gender and / or sexuality covered in this course and also engages with your own lived experiences or identity. The object (or someone else's response) will be used as a springboard or a trigger for your own reflections or stories. You may include links, pictures, videos etc. to flesh out your story (see QTMO for examples of how people have done this). This part may be written in a creative or conversational manner as fitting to your story.

Part 2. The second part of this topic is an academic essay that contextualises the personal response in terms of the relevant theories, historical and social context etc. In your essay you should analyse at least two related artefacts from art or visual culture that relates to the object chosen from QTMO, your personal story, and the relevant theoretical / historical / social context. You can look at other essay topics that are relevant to your chosen theme for ideas of how to approach the essay (or speak to your tutor). Support your arguments and points with references to scholarly texts. Part of this assignment involves submitting your response to QTMO, thus contributing to the recording of queer histories (optional but highly recommended).

Note - the total word count for both parts of this assessment topic should come to 2500 words (approx.). This option must be negotiated with your tutor. Speak to your tutor as soon as you can if you are interested in this option.

12. This topic has three parts: a creative visual artefact/s; a supporting document showing evidence of planning and developing the artefact; and a written, academic essay / artist statement.

Part 1 - Create a creative artefact that engages with one (or more) of the topics in the second half of this course (i.e. a visual creative work in painting, drawing, photography, video, sculpture, graphic design, animation, documented performance, industrial design, etc. or a small series of works). (Equivalent to 1500 words).

Part 2 - You must also submit a 1000 word artist statement / academic essay in which you explain the theoretical / historical / social / cultural context of your artefact and issue it engages with, including an analysis of at least one artefact from visual culture or art that inspired you or reflects similar concerns or strategies. Note - the written component must contain references to scholarly sources to support points being made.

Part 3 - You must also document the development of the work as evidence it is your own (i.e. you should submit a word document with sketches, written plans, photographs, thumbnail pictures or screen shots showing different versions of files, or other evidence of planning etc. as appropriate to your project). This part is not graded but is important to verify the originality of your work.
NOTE - This option must be negotiated with your tutor. Speak to your tutor as soon as you can if you are interested in this option. If you plan on creating a physical object please speak to your tutor about how to submit the artefact.