Final Blog

Age?
19
Sex?
Female
What is your degree subject (both if joint)?
Film Studies
Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking?
yes
If so, how? And if not, why not?
Alot of the behaviours studied in lectures are similar to ones we look at in film studies. There was quite alot of emphasis on bad behaviour in films during the lectures which ties in well to the film studies modules.
Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level?
Appropriate level
Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate?
Yes
Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included?
No
Do you think that the format for classes has worked well?
Yes
What did you think of the module team?
Generally ok
Do you think it would have been better to have had more:
Small group discussions?
Yes I think people would have been more inclined to talk about their opinions without having to shout them at the lecturer because the lecture theatre is big
Discussion and debate among the class as a whole?
No
Information and talk from lecturers?
No, there was already enough to think about
The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module?
Yes, you get the benefits of using all of the different disciplinarys
Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea?
yes
Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module?
yes
Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter?
yes
Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?
No
Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend?
Yes
Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea?
Yes, they are an intersting way of presenting research
What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)?
No, it was good having two shorter ones and being able to choose what you wanted to write about
What have you learned from the module?
That people have compleatly different views on what is acceptable behaviour
What parts of the module have you found most useful and why?
Doing the weblogs because it lets you present you work in a clear way and they help with time management because you don't get stuck with one huge piece of work to do all of a sudden
What parts do you think were a waste of time and why?
None of it really
Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’?
Was over-all quite and enjoyable module

Drugs

After watching the footage of the military testing drugs (LSD, I think it was) on soldiers to see if it would be a good way of distracting their enemies it made me realise that drugs are used in lots of different ways that I hadn't considered.

I think that this is because of the way drugs are documented in films, music and the media. It is not often that you see a film that shows drug use for medicinal purposes and more often than not drug use is glamourised, such as in Pulp Fiction and Goodfellas. An example of this in Goodfellas is the way that as Henry (the main character) gets more involved in drugs, his surroundings become more exciting, his clothes become more expensive and his life becomes more exhilerating. I think it is really important that these films show the downfall of the characters that get involved with drugs. A really good example of a film which shows this is Requiem For A Dream. This film still shows the main characters who take drugs having a good time but it shows them also dealing with the horrific consequences in more detail and the ending is really heartbreaking which I think would put anybody off using drugs. This film is also a rare example of using drugs not soley for the purpose of getting high, a sub-plot of the film is about the main character's mother getting addicted to diet pills and although they may not be associated with the danger that class A drugs carry, she still suffers terribly from becoming dependant on them.

In terms of media coverage I think that drugs are highly glamourised. The way musicians such as Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse freely admit to doing drugs worries me because young people will see them doing it and think that is an acceptable and enjoyable thing to do.

I found some useful websites whilst reserching about drugs: http://www.talktofrank.com/home_html.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rWnQphPdQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJpWfSHEs4

Being Too Religious

The introduction to the lecture on Being Too Religious compleately puzzled me. Mainly because I wasn't aware that the lecturer was praying until he was about half way through the prayer and I noticed people had bowed their heads. By the time I had realised what was going on I felt slightly uneasy so I just sat there whilst he finished the prayer.

When the lecturer had explained why he had said a prayer I felt slightly more relieved but then I realised that it was quite a rude thing to do as the prayer was said in order to provoke a reaction. Although I'm not a religious person, I totally understand why some people felt embarrased or even angry. I think that this is because permission wasn't granted by everyone in the lecture room and the lecturer didn't ask if it was ok to say the prayer. In my opinion I think that this is an example of bad behaviour, not really because it falls into the category of being too religious but because someone's religious beliefs were being forced on to everyone else.

I think another example of this bad behaviour are the people who stand in the middle of town preaching to everyone who walks past about God. I don't think they would be as bad if they wanted to share their beliefs quiety but the fact that they often do it in a loud and agressive mannor really irritates me personally.

A few months ago there was a documentary on Channel 4 called "Baby Bible Bashers". I didn't actually get chance to watch it but just the thought of it disturbs me quite a bit. I think that this is because the children featured are forced to believe in God, usually by their parents and due to their younge age probably don't fully understand whats going on. This makes me suspicious that there is some degree of brainwashing involved which makes me think of cult religions.

Then again I wonder if the children's parents genuinly want their children to share their beliefs because they feel its the best way to live. This is the link to the page on the channel 4 website for the documentary:

http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/cutting_edge/baby_bible_bashers/index.html

Comment Three

This post is a comment on Clare's post about lying with integrity:
http://pinkchickbeingbad.blogspot.com/2008/05/lying-with-integrity.html

I was thinking about this too, characters like Santa and the Toothfairy are a major part of most children's childhood but then someone goes and tells them its not real and they are gutted!I think its hypocritical of parents to tell their kids that Santa and such are real. Such emphasis is put on telling the truth as a child, no wonder children are confussed when they find out their parents lie to them about Santa.I think it would be better if parents told their children that Santa is just a character then the children could decide whether they believe in Santa or not, it would be alot fairer! As a child I wasn't told that Santa was real by my parents, or the toothfairy and I don't feel that iv'e missed out on anything. I'm just greatful that I wasn't told that Santa wasn't real all of a sudden and felt gutted about it!