51³ÉÈËÁÔÆæ

Course Description

Summary

This course borrows its name from Legacy Russell's essay, then book of the same name, but uses it as a container to consider the history of fembots in science fiction in the 20th century, then arrive in the 21st century with various takes on cyberfeminism and hybrid biobodies, with a particular interest in the global south and diasporic perspectives.  We will look at a broad range of art practices and film/media, alongside writings (particularly fiction and manifestos), as well as online content.  This course will be comprised of screenings, discussions, and will conclude with a final project of the student’s choice – whether it take the form of writing, art, or otherwise, it should engage with the theme of this course.  As part of this course, students will be granted selective access to VA Film/Video equipment. A central premise of this course is that concepts of gender and gender roles have co-evolved with global technological invention, with media as its publicity machine.  Media analysis with heavy historical context will be emphasized towards the beginning of the course, while the possibility of resistance (grumpy glitch) will be emphasized towards the end.