FIL-30023 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

Villains and vigilantes are central to some of the most significant screen texts from the 1970s to the present. Vigilantes often view the legal and political systems of their societies to be inadequate, targeting those they consider to be villainous in order to achieve their version of justice. However, the distinctions that underpin the roles of villains and vigilantes are often brought into question within these screen texts. Drawing on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons's seminal graphic novel, Watchmen, we will consider the question 'Who watches the Watchmen?' in relation to the accountability (or lack thereof) of the vigilante. Villains and Vigilantes on Screen explores the representation of these fictional archetypes in texts that draw from the crime, horror, science fiction, and superhero genres. On this module, you will consider the intertextual connections between different screen narratives about vigilantism, villainy, and morality in their historical, political, and generic contexts. In doing so, you will relate them to wider debates about issues such as class, crime, gender, justice, power, and/or trauma.

Villains and Vigilantes on Screen will familiarise students with the complex development of these archetypes within the crime, horror, science fiction, and superhero genres. On this module, students will consider the intertextual connections between different screen narratives about vigilantism, villainy, and morality in their historical, political, and generic contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

assess the intertextual connections between the representations of villains and/or vigilantes in screen texts drawing from the crime, horror, science fiction, and/or superhero genres: 1,2
research the cultural, historical, political, and social contexts surrounding these screen texts: 1,2
analyse the representation of villains and/or vigilantes using appropriate terminology for your chosen screen text(s): 1,2
analyse the cultural politics of the representation of villains and/or vigilantes and relate them to wider debates about issues such as class, crime, gender, justice, power, and/or trauma: 1,2
write well-researched analyses at both short and longer lengths in support of clear arguments: 1,2

Study hours

10 x 2-hour seminars (20 hours)
2 x Assessment workshops (4 hours)
Film and television viewing (20 hours)
Seminar preparation (48 hours)
Close scene analysis preparation (24 hours)
Essay preparation (34 hours)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment