Katie Spencer 12 MMN
Essay Plan
Title: An analysis of the representation of women in TV crime documentaries
(Discussing issues such as gender inequality, sexism, stereotypes in the work force compared with in society)
Structure: (as follows)
Introduction - Contextual information of the three case studies (The Lock Up/Coppers/Fake Britain)
Initial thoughts on representations of women (female police force in context with generally in today's society), change over time (BAWP)
Background on genre of crime documentaries
e.g. ‘Insert Example Introduction here’
Section 1 - 1st Representation - Analysis of Gender Division
Equality vs. Inequality (Theorists are David Gauntlett and Judith Butler)
(Case Studies are Facebook Emergency, Inside the world of Police Custody, Dial 999)
(Evidence is Questionnaire/ Focus Group)
Section 2 - 2nd Representation - Analysis of Conventional Women in Police Force
Butch vs. Meek Also compared with female general public that feature
(Theorists are Angela McRobbie)
(Case Studies are Inside the World of Police Custody, Fake Cash and Cards)
(Evidence is Questionnaire/ Focus Group)
Section 3 - 3rd Representation - Analysis of Sexuality of Women
Object vs. Masculine (Theorists are Laura Mulvey)
(Case Studies are Ask a Policeman)
(Evidence is Questionnaire/ Focus Group)
Conclusion - Reinforcing message in introduction
Finalising thoughts on representations of women
e.g. ‘Insert Example Conclusion here’
Appendix - Any independent documents needed in addition to the essay
Case Studies:
The Lock Up
Inside the World of Police Custody – woman assisting strap down of suicidal prisoner with male officers
Coppers
Dial 999 - women interviewed about 999 calls, office rather than physical work (organisational and people skills vs. physical strength)
Facebook Emergency - women interviewed about Facebook issues (same discussion as above)
Do Not Touch - no apparent appearance of female police officer, maybe under a helmet (disguise), possible female narration
Police Dogs - Chief Inspector Donna Allen Head of Tactical Unit is only interviewed, doesn’t appear in the action, male interviewed with hidden role and identity in terms of on-screen graphics (female higher role over male), minority of female officers, only male dog handlers
Ask a Policeman - Party gang of only women exposed fancy dress police outfits, supports Mulvey, pair officers one male one female on late night patrol, more public women flirt with male than men with female, mix of genders interviewed (equal: women are one named one unnamed, same for men), minority of female police officers at night
Love Scope - no apparent appearance of female officers
Drink Drivers - no apparent appearance of female officers
Welcome back - no apparent appearance of female officers
The Chatman Pocket - clip of female police officer laughing at a man hiding possessions in inappropriate areas, female P.O last to be interviewed in clip and appears disgusted
Fake Britain
Fake Cash and Cards - female police officer approaches and asks permission for entry but fails and male officer breaks down door, female takes the pictures (artistic and social role), males hold man down while female arrests and cuffs fraud, female victim interviewed
Theories:
David Gauntlett - http://theoryhead.com/gender/extract.htm
Judith Butler - 'gender trouble' - the idea that the existing notions of sex, gender and sexuality should be challenged by the 'subversive confusion and proliferation' of the categories which we use to understand them. The binary division of 'male' and 'female' identities should be shattered, Butler suggested, and replaced with multiple forms of identity - not a new range of restrictive categories, but an abundance of modes of self-expression.
Laura Mulvey - figure of a woman in Hollywood cinematography is purely an object of desire
Note: is applicable to Hollywood cinematography so take into account different forms and nationalities of texts when agreeing/disagreeing with this theory
Angela McRobbie - 'girl power' are today's most prominent expressions of what Angela McRobbie calls 'popular feminism' - the mainstream interpretation of feminism which is a strong element of modern pop culture even though it might not actually answer to the 'feminist' label. 'This dynamic of generational antagonism has been overlooked by professional feminists, particularly those in the academy, with the result that the political affectivity of young women is more or less ignored'
Resources:
Text Book opinions/ interpretations of gender issues and/or genre of crime docs
David Gauntlett’s theory website
Questionnaire
Once ‘live’ interview from ‘Coppers’ Director
Policeman Blog
Research through my own Blog
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