Thursday, 8 May 2008
Final Blog
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
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Drugs

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
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Being Too Religious


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.
Saturday, 3 May 2008
Comment Three
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!
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Comment Two
I think you have made a really interesting point by highlighting the tendancy to judge people by their appearence. When I was researching for my post on body modification I came across the Scary Guy too and I was surprised when I read about what he does to promote anti-bullying and general acceptance of other people.It just shows that society has such a narrow minded view on people who look unique.
I agree with your views that body modification is a personal taste and that as long as it is concentual I have no problem with it. However, as you said the foot binding thing really freaked me out, I think more because people are often expected or even forced into it...this is the part of body modification that I don't agree with.
Overall, your post raised points that I hadn't considered so I found it really interesting to read!
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Comment One
Hey Fran
I totally agree with your comments on how masturbation is treated in films, either as a joke or as something that is strange or kind of pervy (couldn't think of a better word). I think that in reality masturbation is the one of the lesser serious of the bad behaviours discussed in the module, yet in some films it is portrayed as something quite wrong.
The film 'Happiness' springs to mind when commenting on masturbation in films and I think it is the only film I have seen that tackles the subject of masturbation with some degree of dignity. The film features two sub-plots in connection with masturbation, one portraying it as a normal behaviour discussed between a young boy and his dad (even though its quite a morally wrong conversation) and the other portraying it as a behaviour practiced by a pervy stalker guy who is obsessed with his neighbour. Although the film has some darkly funny moments it is a serious observation on disfunctional families/individuals and I think that this is why the subject is included with some sort of seriousness. If you are going to see this film (is you haven't already) it has some really cringey moments!!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0147612/ is the link to 'Happiness' IMDB page
Monday, 28 April 2008
Body Modification


Sunday, 27 April 2008
An Inconvenient Truth


Wednesday, 23 April 2008
To Smoke Or Not To Smoke

- Those who smoke regularly
- Those who smoke occassionally
- Those who used to smoke but have successfully given up
- Those who have never smoked
I came across this website whilst doing some research on smoking, after reading the information it made me wonder why people start smoking in the first place, especially because of the shocking statistics on smoking related deaths and the links between smoking and lung cancer.
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/lung/smoking/
However, I don't agree with tobacco smoking being classed as a "bad behaviour". I think that this is because smoking has always been socially acceptable and even fashionable when it was first introduced. Even though in more recent times smoking has become less popular which I think may be related to the introduction of the smoking ban. I think that people may view smoking as a bad behaviour becasue of it's negative affects on people's health but I see it as a personal choice if people choose to smoke and there are alot worse things that people could do which could be classed as a bad behaviour. For example, consuming alcohol can be far more dangerous than smoking a cigarette in the short term as far as driving over the limit is concerned and I think that generally people would class this as the bad behaviour when given the choice of tobacco smoking and drink driving.
I was thinking about why people choose to smoke and I think that the media has a significant impact on people's decisions regarding smoking. Particularly the influence of smoking in cinema. As a film student I have been studying film noir recently and it has become apparent that smoking is a major feature in these films. For example, the femme fatale in the films almost always smoke as a way to enhance their sexuality. Smoking in the times when film noirs were produced was also seen as being very sophisticated and not as damaging as it is now. An example of smoking in film noirs is Gilda, the main female character in Gilda is seen smoking on many occassions throughout the film and the cigarette is used as a phallic symbol to increase her sexuality and make her appear more sexy. I think that this trend of smoking being seen as cool and sexy has continued to the present day. This maybe the reason why young people experiment with smoking, to give them the impression of being cool and also because they may be pressured into doing so to fit in with their peers.
I can't see any benefits of smoking other than it gives people a chance to chat and socialise whilst having a fag but really people can do that any way without having to smoke. I don't know if my opinions on this would change if I was a regular smoker but I would be grateful if people would offer their views on the benefits of smoking.
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Revenge is Sweet

Monday, 21 April 2008
Infidelity Pt.2 Rationale

I have chosen a linear narrative because I didn’t want a complex narrative to interfere with the complexity of the main character’s situation. I wanted the audience to sympathise with Jane so I purposely didn’t include any dialogue with her husband so as not to hint at any other point of view. The reader can reflect on whether or not they think it is acceptable or immoral to cheat on a partner. I think before reading the short story most would say no, however, I wanted to get across how unhappy Jane was so that the reader may challenge their views on infidelity in Jane’s case.
In conclusion, I think that my creative piece has been successful in terms of getting across how unhappy Jane was in her marriage and that she had doubts about leaving which I think helps the reader to understand the character. However, I think that I needed to explain her relationship with Pierre more in order to help the reader fully explore Jane’s decision to leave her husband. Therefore enhancing the need for the reader to challenge their opinions on infidelity because they would have had a better understanding of the whole situation rather than having to rely on knowing about just Jane’s life in England and not Pierre’s life in Paris.
Sunday, 20 April 2008
Infidelity

As Jane walked to her car she no longer felt guilty, all she could think about was the happiness that was waiting for her in his trendy, Parisian apartment. She had met Pierre two years ago whilst working for the same publishing company. By the time they had fallen in love, Pierre had to move back to Paris and Jane had to return to her love-less life with her cheating husband. Now she had the courage and determination to leave England for a happier life and with a deep breath she got into her car and left the driveway without looking back.
As the car pulled into the train station car park, Jane’s mobile phone started to ring, she looked at the screen and answered with a smile, "I’ll be with you in two hours Pierre" she said. Shortly after, Jane got on the train; she sat down and wondered why she hadn’t left her husband sooner.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Bad Things We've Done

After the first lecture on the module being bad, I read the post put up on WOLF discussing the bad behaviour we had admitted to. As we admitted to our sins anonymously, it was interesting to discover just how naughty the other people in the lecture are!
I have to say it didn't really surprise me that cheating on a partner was such a popular form of bad behaviour, even though it could be considered to be the most harmful of all the bad behaviours mentioned. I think this is because sex is alot less of a taboo subject than it used to be and generally people are more frivolous than say 50 years ago. Or maybe people just get bored more easily these days? It would have been interesting to find out the ages of those who had cheated as i suspect that the majority who did we're in their teens/twenties and perhaps not in a really serious relationship.
What did surprise me was people's tendancy to turn to violence, especially towards family/loved ones. Whether or not it was in some way justified i don't know but it does raise the question, is violence ever justified? Also, the case of the two people who admitted to the illegal trade of narcotics surprised me because I was surprised that people are willing to risk the consequenses of doing so.
Overall, I think the introductory lecture on being bad threw up some really interesting points to consider when discussing the issue of bad behaviour, below are some links to the consequences of other people's bad behaviour that I found interesting. I think the first link in particular really highlights the in some cases deadly consequences of dealing drugs, you can decide for yourselves if you think the punishment is justified:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-04/02/content_320251.htm
http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/04/12/reliant-robin-life-of-drug-smugglers/