Korean society has made great strides forward in gender representation in the last decade, yet mainstream media often encourages stereotypes and binary gender roles. However, the genre conventions...Show moreKorean society has made great strides forward in gender representation in the last decade, yet mainstream media often encourages stereotypes and binary gender roles. However, the genre conventions of historical fusion and fantasy combine elements of imagination and otherness that can engage in discussion on gender and represent gender in an alternative, more open, way. It addresses a contemporary issue yet is not bounded by the restrictions of today’s society. To analyze the potential positive representation of the genres, this thesis analyzes the Korean historical fantasy fusion drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (hereafter Moon Lovers) (2016). In order to study the alternative representations within mainstream media, this thesis looks at how the series’ representation of gender is in line with gender normativity. The leading research question is: Does Moon Lovers break gender normativity? The study was conducted through film analysis and guided by gender theory. In conclusion, Moon Lovers does not break with gender normativity. However, the potential of the genres to represent gender in an alternative way still require further study.Show less
This thesis focuses on the representation of ethnic minorities in official images in the People's Republic of China (PRC) during Mao's chairmanship (1949-1976) and 2018-2019. Representation of...Show moreThis thesis focuses on the representation of ethnic minorities in official images in the People's Republic of China (PRC) during Mao's chairmanship (1949-1976) and 2018-2019. Representation of ethnic minorities in the PRC has been researched before, but most of this research was focused on solely one time period. By studying two different time periods, the development of the representation through time is made visible which can provide insights regarding future development. Since the PRC's government controls almost all information outlets within the country, the analyzed images (propaganda posters and newspaper images) representing Chinese ethnic minorities therefore reflect the government's official discourse of these people. The results of this research show that the official discourse of ethnic minorities in the PRC has remained relatively similar. Ethnic minorities are portrayed in images from both times as less civilized, more backward, more exotic and inferior to their Han counterparts.Show less
In the past, archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples did not always co-operate well. This has changed for the better, but is that also reflected in documentaries about archaeology? Indigenous Peoples...Show moreIn the past, archaeologists and Indigenous Peoples did not always co-operate well. This has changed for the better, but is that also reflected in documentaries about archaeology? Indigenous Peoples have been mis- and underrepresented in the mainstream media. It is therefore important to show the relationship between Indigenous Peoples and archaeologists in a correct way. Thus the research question of this thesis is: How are Indigenous Peoples (re)presented in contemporary documentaries on the archaeology and heritage of Central America? This was studied by analysing three documentaries. The cinematic language was explained in chapter two in order to be able to analyse documentaries. Then ethnographic content analysis was used to set up categories and variables to collect data from the films by analysing the characters. A definition of if a character was considered Indigenous or not was set up by studying the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the discussion between scholars on different definitions for Indigenous Peoples. The analysis of the data showed that from the three movies, with a total of 29 characters, only two characters could be considered Indigenous. This means that in these movies the Indigenous perspective was underrepresented. Also, some of the variables showed that these Indigenous characters were treated differently than other characters. Western filmmakers or production companies should be aware that they are not inclusive, which they should be according to UNDRIP. Western filmmakers should start collaborating with Indigenous Peoples when making movies about their history and heritage, because then Indigenous Peoples can regain control of their stories and represent themselves.Show less
The democratic legitimacy of political representation is not obvious. In the literature, however, it is often treated as such, mostly because the alternative of direct democracy is deemed...Show moreThe democratic legitimacy of political representation is not obvious. In the literature, however, it is often treated as such, mostly because the alternative of direct democracy is deemed unfeasible. In this thesis, I approach this issue based on the fundamental critique of representation as made by Rousseau, according to which democracy and representation are mutually exclusive, and representative democracy thus a contradiction in terms. I compare Rousseau’s position, supported by a more modern argument by Hanna Pitkin, to an attempt by modern authors in defending representation, which started with David Plotke. I support Plotke’s ideas with those put forward by Nadia Urbinati and Mark Warren, and also look at a more extreme position as argued by Frank Ankersmit. Comparing these positions to the critique by Rousseau and Pitkin, it becomes clear that defence of representation is lacking democratic justification that can withstand Rousseau’s fundamental critique. Finally, I discuss a potentially strong argument at providing such a justification, based on arguments by Laura Montanaro and Clarissa Hayward, which emphasizes the constructive role that representation plays in the shaping of people’s interests. Until the representative turn provides a substantial argument that people do not have politically relevant interests prior to representation, I argue, Rousseau’s critique remains intact, and we need to be more careful in ascribing democratic properties to representative systems.Show less
“So what happens if I eat what I want, and dress as I want? Too much for you?” Leyla, a woman who lives her life with no constraints, uttered this quote in Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud’s...Show more“So what happens if I eat what I want, and dress as I want? Too much for you?” Leyla, a woman who lives her life with no constraints, uttered this quote in Palestinian director Maysaloun Hamoud’s film In Between (2016). In Between portrays Arab women in control of their lives who make their own decisions, even if these are frowned upon by their society. This image differs from those in Hollywood films, wherein Arab women have been depicted in groups covered in black robes following their husbands, for example. As these depictions are repeated, audiences may believe the images presented to them, and formulate stereotypes of Arabs. This topic demonstrates that portrayals of Arab women exist in cinema that challenge the stereotype of disempowered Arab women. Furthermore, this topic highlights Arab women’s diversity and the obstacles they face when breaking away from the image expected of them from their societies. Therefore, this thesis will focus on In Between’s portrayal of Arab women to demonstrate that In Between questions the stereotype of disempowered Arab women, and represents Arab women. In order to do so, this thesis will analyze the cultural identities and femininity of Leyla, Salma, and Nour, In Between’s three main characters.Show less
An International Studies bachelor thesis on the role of the ‘Ecuador’ mural (1952), by Oswaldo Guayasamín, in representing minorities in twentieth-century Ecuador.
The following thesis treats the problematic arising from the cultural representation of Latin America in two of the most trendy Latin American Festivals in Italy to-date. The thesis departs from...Show moreThe following thesis treats the problematic arising from the cultural representation of Latin America in two of the most trendy Latin American Festivals in Italy to-date. The thesis departs from the premise that there is a fundamental problem regarding the construction and understanding of Latin American culture and identity. This is fundamentally linked with the continents colonial past and the racial and social constructs that have raised from it. The first festival analyzed is the Milano Latin Festival in which the Peruvian diaspora becomes the central focus of analysis. The second festival is the Festival del Cinema Latino Americano di Trieste in which the cultural film festival industry is questioned as a whole and the role Latin America plays on it. By treating the literature on identity, postcolonialism and representation, the final conclusions attest that festivals approach cultural representation in a defective way. Their main faults rely on a lack of acknowledgement and understanding of the diversity that constitutes each and every Latin American country and the dynamics that exists in these concerning race and class. And in the second case, in that the drive and/or purpose of festivals tend to mold how is that cultures are portrait. There is the necessity of exploring further into the underlying realities of Latin American cultures and treat the problematic and paradoxes these have if one desires to pay justice and respect to the same ones.Show less
In this thesis I research issues of photographic representation of displaced persons, specifically regarding the so-called European refugee crisis since 2015. I compare the roles of photojournalism...Show moreIn this thesis I research issues of photographic representation of displaced persons, specifically regarding the so-called European refugee crisis since 2015. I compare the roles of photojournalism, or news photography produced for a mass audience, and art/documentary photography. I argue that certain properties within the latter practices are better suited to the representation of refugees and migrants, whose identity, as argued by Giorgio Agamben and Hannah Arendt amongst others, is already extremely vulnerable. My case studies are the photos of the young refugee Alan Kurdi, who washed up on a beach having died in a sea-crossing and whose body was photographed by a Turkish photojournalist at the scene; and 3 art/documentary photographers who have all focused on refugees and/or migrants as their subjects.Show less
Due to an increasing public push for multiculturalism in mainstream media, films have (at least since the 1990s) been attempting to give a more positive representation of what is deemed to be a...Show moreDue to an increasing public push for multiculturalism in mainstream media, films have (at least since the 1990s) been attempting to give a more positive representation of what is deemed to be a racial and cultural Other from the target audience’s perspective, and animation films are no exception. Case in point, while the two animated films discussed in this study, The Book of Life (2014) and Coco (2017), are made by different studios, they share a general goal of trying to give such a representation of a racial and cultural Other for a Western target audience. This goal makes these films some of the latest examples in a long trend of American animation aiming to broaden their representation of minority cultures and ethnicities, in response to pressure from various social movements in the 1990s (Palmer 2, 4). Consequently, such animation has increasingly received academic reading, with scholars studying the medium’s role in the representation of racial and cultural Others and multiculturalism in general. This study will add to this budding field by analyzing two contemporary iterations of this representational trend.Show less
This thesis analyses French-Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan’s body of work, particularly the films Laurence Anyways (2012), Tom at the Farm (2013), and Mommy (2014). Starting from the notion that...Show moreThis thesis analyses French-Canadian filmmaker Xavier Dolan’s body of work, particularly the films Laurence Anyways (2012), Tom at the Farm (2013), and Mommy (2014). Starting from the notion that Dolan explicitly argues against the queer labelling of his films, the piece explores the content and form of his filmography with a range of theories from film, gender and queer studies, and an emphasis on feminist authors. Gender performance and alternative femininities in Laurence Anyways are discussed through camp. The reading of Tom at the Farm draws parallels with the perspectives on masculinities and bisexual desire found in bromance and buddy films. The analysis of Mommy investigates how queerness embodies both the film’s form and text, possibly placing it in a new New Queer Cinema movement.Show less
Current prevalent representations of displacement are ubiquitous and often deeply shocking. Previous studies of refugee representation have focused on the polarisation of pro/anti-refugee...Show moreCurrent prevalent representations of displacement are ubiquitous and often deeply shocking. Previous studies of refugee representation have focused on the polarisation of pro/anti-refugee narratives and highlighted patterns in their depiction at opposite poles (in humanitarian and media/political discourses). However, new methods and mediums for representation indicate the evolution of a third discourse which this thesis identifies. At once material, ethical, political and representational, the current crisis of forced migration demands response beyond the reach of governments, intergovernmental and humanitarian organisations. In looking to narrative to enhance our understanding of the contemporary ‘crisis’, cultural representations find new ways of responding to displacement and hosting— without which the debate cannot be advanced. This paper testifies to one strand of cultural engagement with forced migration by focusing on four narratives published since 2015. Reading across genres from fiction to life-stories to journalistic literature and theatre, this thesis examines new discursive approaches to refugee representation in Patrick Kingsley’s The New Odyssey, collaborative refugee writing projects, Voices from the ‘Jungle’ and Shatila Stories, and Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy’s play The Jungle.Show less
In deze scriptie doe ik verslag van een diachroon onderzoek naar genderrepresentatie in lesmethodes voor Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2-methodes). Hiervoor heb ik gebruik gemaakt van inzichten uit...Show moreIn deze scriptie doe ik verslag van een diachroon onderzoek naar genderrepresentatie in lesmethodes voor Nederlands als tweede taal (NT2-methodes). Hiervoor heb ik gebruik gemaakt van inzichten uit de Critical Discourse Analysis. Ik heb drie moderne NT2-methodes onderzocht en vergeleken met drie lesboeken uit de beginjaren van het NT2-onderwijs (jaren 1970/1980). Ik heb dit gedaan door een inhoudsanalyse te combineren met een grammaticale analyse (transitiviteitsanalyse). Uit de analyse blijkt dat vrouwen in de moderne NT2-methodes vaker voorkomen dan in de oude methodes en dat mannen en vrouwen minder stereotiep worden gerepresenteerd (minder stereotiepe beschrijvingen en minder stereotiepe verdeling van agentiviteit).Show less
Muslims form the largest minority in India, making up for approximately 13% of the total population of India. However, Muslims are also victim to the stereotypes which the Bollywood film industry...Show moreMuslims form the largest minority in India, making up for approximately 13% of the total population of India. However, Muslims are also victim to the stereotypes which the Bollywood film industry reproduces. Cinema is a form of mass media, which can play a large role in the formation of someone’s opinion. With the increase of electronic mass media, and the availability of internet worldwide, the influence of cinema is greater than ever. Cinema has proven to be one of the most influential instruments in popular culture for shaping current trends. Due to its large influence on both culture and mind-set, cinema also serves as a mean for politicians to affect the values of the civilization. Taking into account the growing influence of cinema on both ‘public opinion’ and politics, the stereotyping of Muslims could have a negative influence on the public image of Muslims worldwide. This thesis will address the following hypothesis: The representation of Muslims in popular Bollywood cinema conforms to stereotypes and constructs their identity in a negative manner.Show less
This paper is about the representation of nobility and peasants in Flemish tapestries in the period 1500-1515. The scenes depicted in the tapestries contain images of both nobility and the lower...Show moreThis paper is about the representation of nobility and peasants in Flemish tapestries in the period 1500-1515. The scenes depicted in the tapestries contain images of both nobility and the lower classes, in this research is examined whether the nobility had an influence on the images on the tapestries. And why the scenes that are chosen for the tapestries contained inmages of the lower classes.Show less
A study on the position and representation of the musumeyaku of the all-female Takarazuka Revue. For the greatest part of the century long history of the Takarazuka Revue, the otokoyaku, or male...Show moreA study on the position and representation of the musumeyaku of the all-female Takarazuka Revue. For the greatest part of the century long history of the Takarazuka Revue, the otokoyaku, or male-role actresses have enjoyed a monopoly of the theatre's fans' affection. In contrast, the musumeyaku remain mostly on the background. This Thesis reconsiders the musumeyaku's position and what they represent in the world of Takarazuka, and examines the femininity as represented by these actresses.Show less
