Lectures in SLL3001F, Sex from Sappho to Cyber, 2012
This section of the course covers various expressions of sexuality in computer-mediated communication, both on the internet and in the context of computer games. The lectures will cover general issues of virtual eroticism, including desire, identity, role-play, the paradox of the virtual body, and the tension between public and private. We will look at two specific case studies as exemplae in virtual eroticism: fan fiction, and computer role-playing games (we will focus specifically on Bioware’s Dragon Age and Mass Effect RPG lines).
The essay question for this section is set on the fan fiction topic, and there will not be an exam question on the fan fiction material. The exam will offer a choice between questions on general issues of internet eroticism and on sexuality in computer games.
PROGRAMME
Please note that we will use the Friday lecture slot in the first two weeks, to account for the public holiday and the fact that I have to leave before the last couple of days of term.
- 30th April Rule 34: Sexuality and the Internet
- 1st May Public holiday, no lecture
- 2ndMay Public vs. private: from chatrooms to Facebook
- 3rd May Putting it out there: sex-blogging
- 4th May Fan fiction: what is it?
- 7th May Wishful thinking: fan fiction, fantasy and the Mary Sue
- 8th May Wincest and worse: fanfic and transgression
- 9th May Porn for girls? slash and the female demographic
- 10th May Our princess is in another castle: computer game romance
- 11th May MMORPGs vs single-player gaming
- 14th May Computer game romance: identity and identification
- 15th May Computer game romance: gender and culture