Students will gain an understanding of queer theory, film history as well as queerness in various media. Furthermore, we will consider queer villains and antagonists throughout history – how they have been portrayed, why they are relevant, and why (queer) audiences have started to embrace them.Topics we will discuss include but are not limited to:an intersectional approach to analysisqueer representations throughout historycensorshipthe Hays Code and how it still influences Hollywoodqueer activismcase studies – a variety of queer villains and antagonists in different media

short lecture inputsclass discussions of a variety of texts (TBA)written work (academic paper + final project)

Harley Quinn, Tom Ripley, Ursula the Sea Witch – what do they have in common? They are all the villain or antagonist in their respective fictional universe, making life difficult for the heroes we should root for. At the same time, these characters (and more like them) are decidedly queer(-coded), placing already marginalised identities on the outskirts of what is deemed “acceptable” by societal norms. Throughout history, queerness has been associated with depravity, promiscuity and – particularly in religious context – sin, all of which harms queer individuals to this day. In the media, stereotypes and prejudices like these are often replicated without critical reflection, and have only recently been subverted in some cases. “Villainous” characters, in particular, lend themselves to a complex exploration of queerness as it is situated and perceived within a normative society.In this course, we will discuss queer villains in popular media – how they are represented, why so many villainous characters are coded as queer, and how creatives and (queer) audiences have embraced “villainous” characteristics in newer media.

Students should ideally have taken writing classes and have some experience with academic writing.

Students must have completed the course "British OR American Culture: History and Society."

All mandatory reading materials will be made available on Moodle.

30% Participation – Please come to class prepared (reading assigned texts, revising notes, etc.) and take part in class discussions. Each student is allowed one absence.30% Academic Paper – Each student must analyse one queer villain or antagonist from any text/any medium in an academic paper (1,000 words, +/- 10%; pdf-format; fully referenced using Chicago Manual of Style, 17th Edition, Author-Date Style; please include a bibliography!), to be uploaded until March 31, 2025.40% Final Project – Each student must choose one of two options:An academic paper (2,000 words, +/- 10%; pdf-format; fully referenced using CMoS17AD; please include a bibliography!) on a relevant text of their choice (any medium).A creative project that deals with queer villains and antagonists in media. More information will be relayed during the first session.Final projects must be uploaded on Moodle until September 30, 2025.Failing one pillar of assessment results in failing the entire class.

assigned reading materialscritical analysis of cultural artefactsfoundational concepts in queer studies

quality and quantity of secondary sourcesquality of argumentdepth of analysisThe use of AI (e.g. ChatGPT) for completing assignments is strictly forbidden and will lead to a negative grade, removal from the class as well as a report to university leadership. There is the possibility of an individual, oral follow-up defence in order to check whether this rule is respected.