… dissertation hell, that is.
Excuse the lack of posts this week. I have to hand my proposal in next Tuesday so life has been taken over by reading, watching war films and trying to translate all the abstract thoughts floating round my head into something resembling a set of research questions. And there’s the small matter of an additional presentation on Tuesday afternoon too. It never rains but it pours, if you know what I mean.
I’m on a film studies pathway for my English Studies MA, hence the film related research. So far I’ve manged to focus my general interest in war films into an examination of the films spawned by the war in Vietnam. I have some vague ideas about looking at the representation of soldiers/veterans in the films that emerged during the course of the 70s and 80s, possibly making some connections with theories of gender or the portrayal of American military history on film. Like I said, vague… very vague.
I’ve been enjoying Oliver Stone’s films. Far from glamorous, obviously, but Platoon does present Willem Dafoe, a very young Johnny Depp and (a slightly more mentally stable) Charlie Sheen for your viewing pleasure. Very enjoyable, if you like that sort of thing…
People are usually slightly baffled by my fascination with war and all that goes with it. I suppose it doesn’t really fit with all the other aspects of my personality that are regularly plastered all over my blog, but I’ve been interested in conflicts and their consequences for as long as I can remember. The Imperial War Museum was my favourite place to be as a small child and I literally begged my mother to take us to Amsterdam so I could visit the annexe where Anne Frank and her family hid during the Second World War. A school trip to the WWI cemeteries in Ypres was the highlight of GCSE history.
I wrote my undergraduate dissertation on the first Gulf War and the current conflict in Afghanistan, focusing on the way in which the media and it’s portrayal of combat have come to inform the way wars are carried out in real life. I included a detailed case study of the role of the Apache helicopters in the Helmand Province.
So yea, its not really lipstick and cupcakes is it?
Anyway, enough rambling! I better get back to the books I suppose. Normal blogging will resume shortly.
Do you have any unusual interests? What did you write your dissertation on? Do you share my passion for war films?
Loveaudrey xxx
i love war films! The Dam Busters is my favourite, it’s a lovely true account of British ingenuity! Very much recommended if you haven’t seen it but I expect you have if you are a war film buff. I also used to hang out at the imperial war museum with my little brother when we were younger. There is plenty of room for a healthy interest in tanks and bombs alongside mascara & gloss! I hope it goes well – it sounds like you are onto an interesting topic choice with your disseration and I’m sure you will hit on a good final idea soon. If not, cupcakes for brain fuel 🙂 xx
I’m not such a big fan of war films, I find them difficult to watch and often find myself ranting against the often one sided portrayal.
I am fascinated by war and conflict though – one of my next modules for my MSc is on conflicts and interventions and I’m really looking forward to it.
I will probably sit down and finish my viewing of Generation Kill, and watch Black Hawk Down and The Hurt Locker when I find myself with more time.
Gosh, I can’t really remember what my dissertation was about anymore. Shocking really, but it was no doubt some gripping (for time) insight into genetic/microbiological research.
I think war is pretty fascinating too. I was very interested in Anne Frank’s diary and studied war poetry avidly when I was at school. I’m not sure whether I have any particularly strange interests. Apart from the science of course. Best of luck with the studying.
Jane x
I don’t share your passion, but I love that you indulge in yours, and can explore it further via your education 🙂
My dissertation was about the effects of the media on body image, it was my ‘baby’ and I loved working on it…I’ve read it a few times since finishing Uni!
Of course, I have a real baby now! xxx
I am a beauty fanatic but I am a total war geek especially WW1.
I go on a battlefields trip every year – this year I am going the Somme, Tynne Cot cemetery, paschendale, Sanctuary Wood, Lochnagar Crater and Last Post at the Menin Gate plus lots of little cemeteries.
Been to them all before but I learn something new each time I go go.
I can’t say I share your interest in war films, but I love modern history and find the period around WW2 fascinating. Good luck on your dissertation, I’m sure you’ll do great x