Course details
Porn studies
KPO-Z FaVU KPO-Z Acad. year 2025/2026 Winter semester 3 credits
By "pornographic", we understand "obscene," beyond the scene. The pseudotabu of pornoproduction is not the topic of this course. It deals with issues of
- art history - sexuality and porn as the specific mutaion of femal body art of 1960s
- activist - the question for and against pornography as the core theme of anglophone feminist movement
- gender - regarding men and women and their erotic and sexual sensitivity
- the phenmenon of erotic and porngprahic product and the purpose of its use, its development in history and its present specifics
- resulting questions regarding the possibilities of visual expression of intimate interpersonal emotional relationships including the limits of its publicizing and depriving them of thei intimacy
- how can such topic be presented in the public
- how are such issues related to contemporary forms of art, what are the boundaries between humaties and art, between public art and its usage as the tool of social issues
A number of academics have dealt with port (Linda Williams, dr. Kateřina Lišková from FSSMU)
Guarantor
Language of instruction
Completion
Time span
- 26 hrs lectures
Department
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is not to inform students on the topic dealing with the limits of the personal body. Since the topics is presented to artists, we expect that bew impulses will also come from the students.
Students will be encouraged to interconnect issues in art with those of other disciplines (humanities). They will be encouraged to understand and analyse social phenomena and find new ources of inspiration for their artistic activieis on the border of art, sociology,and social critique.
I hope that students will also realize some practical outcomes of the course.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Familiarity with the form of thematic lectures.
Study literature
- Lynne segal, Mary McIntosh, Sex Exposed, Rutgers University Press, 1993
- Lynda Nead, Female Nude, Routledge, 1992
Fundamental literature
- Tracey Warr, Amelia Jones, The Artist´s Body, Phaidon, London 2000
Syllabus of lectures
The Syllabus:
The Structure of the Course:
1. lectures, projections, presentations
- on the origin of pornography
- porn as the lacmus paper of feminist movements
- body art special - porn elements in art
- stereotype in pont - taboo in port, attempts at alternative approach
- visual art presentations: Erotická revue, Jindřich Štýrský, Toyen, Dalí, surealisté, Duchamp, Carolee Schneemann, Valie Export, Elke Krystufek, Jeff Koons, Bob Flanagan, Annie Sprinkle, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Robert Mapplethorpe, Nan Goldin, BKS, Ondřej Brody…
2. Empirical part of the course>
- port materials presentation: the standard portn film, Annie Sprinkle's alternative production, cult porn film (Green door, Deep throat, Miss Jones)
A study visit of a sexshop and a nightclub, studying the presentation of sexuality, the design of such intimate experiences
3. possible practical approaches:
"Night Club" - spatial and action question
"Porn magazine" - the question of visual presentation and graphic design, "lying" and stylization of photography, visual strateies, text, poem, promotion in the public, distribution.
Progress assessment
The attendance at the lecture is not controlled. Students will receive credits and verbal evaluations on the basis of the submitted work, the assignment of which will follow from the content of the courses.
The attendance at the lecture is not controlled.
Course inclusion in study plans
- Programme BIT, 1st year of study, Elective
- Programme BIT (in English), 1st year of study, Elective