Dissertation Post1

To begin work on my dissertation I have been looking at key areas that interest me, subject matters such as feminism, self perception and the Epic genre have intrigued me as being key areas of exploration and development. Although the study of feminism within the epic genre would be interesting I feel that it would be too broad of a topic to cover therefore I began to look more indepth at the perception and positioning of women within the epic genre. Evaluating and finding resources that relate to female perception in accordance to the Epic genre has proved difficult therefore for the time being feminism as a whole is being my main vocal point for research as to which at a later date I can narrow down my findings and come up with a specific topical defining point.  Over the summer I watched films such as 300, Troy and Gladiator and realised that forming an historical timeline for the Epic genre would futher benifit not only my knowledge but the structure and outcome of my study. Early Epics such as Spartacus and the 10 Commandments offer the basis for comparative study to take place within my dissertation. Basically using earlier films enables me to produce a coherant assesment of the advancment and representation of women throughout the Epic genre. Although I'm not entirely sure of where the focus of my dissertation will fall, I do know that feminism and the Epic genre will form the basis of my studies. In order to enable my studies to develop further I have now began researching and reading texts that will hopefully shape my dissertation question whilst also examining film releases old and new that will also further my understanding.

Filmography
300, 2006. Film. Directed by Zack SNYDER. USA: IMAX
Troy, 2004. Film. Directed by Wolfgang PETERSON. USA: Warner Brothers
Gladiator, 2000. Film. Directed by Ridley SCOTT. USA: UIP
Spartacus, 1960. Film. Directed by Stanley KUBRICK. USA: Bryna Productions
The 10 Commandments, 1956. Film. Directed by Cecil. B Demille. USA: Paramount Pictures