Contemporary attitudes to sexuality are markedly different from those of the inter-war period. Taking the second world war as its starting points this module will critically explore how attitudes to sexuality are both influenced by and articulated through the fantasies and desires expressed in popular culture with reference to film, fashion, television and music of the fifty year period from 1939-89.

There will be initial discussion of the changes brought about in wartime on behaviour, attitudes and the representations of sexuality which were, for example, explored in films like Waterloo Bridge (1940) and, Brief Encounter (1945) Wicked Lady (1945). The module will then look at the 'cultural revolution' of the sixties with reference to fashion, music and media and how these inter-relate with legislation on for example abortion, divorce, and homosexuality alongside the loosening of Censorship regulation following the Lady Chatterley Trial. Finally the shifts in attitudes to sexuality that developed from the individualism of Thatcherism in the eighties will be explored assessing the significance of : Channel 4 TV and Films, Fashions and Consumerism.

An individual or group presentation which tests students ability to communicate their own case-study to others in a concise and clear form [Learning Objective 1, 3 and 5] weighted 25%.
An essay (2,000-2,500 words to test ability to apply conceptual framework and historical knowledge to a student selected case -study [Learning Objective 1,2,4,and 5] weighted 75%.

The module will aim to move from tutor led to student led learning, with initial theoretical approaches and module framework introduced via lectures and followed up by reading, research and seminar discussions. A strong emphasis will be placed on students utilising the module framework to undertake their own small scale case studies.

Tutorials to support students developing their own case studies will replace lectures in the final two weeks of the semester and assist students in preparing for their assessments.

Waterloo Bridge (1940)
Wicked Lady (1945)
Brief Encounter (1945)
Victim (1959)
Sapphire (1960)
Brideshead Revisited (1981)
She and Marie Claire magazines from the 1980s

J.Costello (1986) Love Sex and War, Pan
M. Foucualt (1990) History of Sexuality, vol 3, Penquin
M.Jancovich and J. Lyons (2003) Quality Popular Television, BFI
R. Jackson (1998) Fantasy Literature of Subversion, Routledge
G. Hughes and R. Fergusson (eds) (2000) Ordering Life Family work and Welfare, Routledge
A. Marwick (1999) The Sixties Social and Cultural transformation in Britain, France, Italy and the United States 1958-74,
K.Thompson (ed) (1997) Media and Cultural Regulation, Sage
J. Weeks (2003) Sexualities, Routledge
J. Weeks (1989) Sex Politics and Society The Regulation of Sexuality since 1800, Longman
K. Woodward (ed) (1997) Identity and Difference, Sage

University Computers for access to internet resources, recommended, books, articles video's and DVD's from the library. Magazines such as Marie Claire and She and other items in the Design Collection.

Students will also be encouraged to make use of a range of online resources such as available through the www from national newspapers and for example the BBC, the BFI or the Museum of Photography, Film and Television at Bradford.