LMKB_a427 Game of Victims and Monsters: Representation of Sexual and Female Violence in A Song of Ice and Fire

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
dr. Sylwie Borowska-Szerszun (lecturer), Mgr. Tereza Dědinová, Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. Tereza Dědinová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Zbyněk Fišer, Ph.D.
Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Eva Zachová
Supplier department: Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 18. 11. 9:00–12:30 VP, Thu 19. 11. 15:00–18:30 VP, Fri 20. 11. 13:00–16:30 VP
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 22 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/22, only registered: 0/22, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/22
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 24 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Despite its enormous popularity among both readers and viewers, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and its TV adaptation Game of Thrones have sparked a significant amount of criticism about the amount of violence, including sexual abuse, they contain. The narrative has become notorious for its graphic representation of violence and accumulation of vivid and gruesome details, which raises questions about their function for the narrative: are they employed to shock the readers/viewers or do they draw our attention to wider social or political concerns? In this seminar, I propose to focus on female characters only, examining them as both victims and perpetrators of violence. Examining the most prominent women of the series (e.g., Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Sansa and Arya Stark, Brienne of Tarth, and Asha Greyjoy), we will discuss the trope of violence against women and by women, offering insight into the problems of victimization and exploitation of women on the one hand and their contribution to the perpetuation of the cycles of cruelty and brutality on the other.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: Interpret texts of the given literature; Critically examine the chosen elements in serial adaptations; Orient themselves in the broader context.
Syllabus
  • Will be specified. Primary sources: Martin, George R.R. (any other edition will do) A Game of Thrones. 1996. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. A Clash of Kings. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. A Storm of Swords. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. A Feast for Crows. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. A Dance with Dragons. New York: Bantam Books, 2011. Secondary sources: Gjelsvik, Anne, Rikke Schubart, eds. Women of Ice and Fire: Gender, Game of Thrones, and Multiple Media Engagements. New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2016. Rohr, Zita Eva, Lisa Benz, eds. Queenship and the Women of Westeros: Female Agency and Advice in Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire. Palgrave Macmillan, 2020. Ferreday, Debra. “Game of Thrones, Rape Culture and Feminist Fandom.” Australian Feminist Studies, vol. 30, no. 83, 2015, pp. 21–36. DOI: 10.1080/08164649.2014.998453. Tolmie, Jane. “Medievalism and the Fantasy Heroine.” Journal of Gender Studies, vol. 15, no. 2, 2006, pp. 145–158. DOI: 10.1080/09589230600720042
Teaching methods
Thematic reading, discussion on the topic.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 0.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2020/LMKB_a427