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Abstract

This research analyses the representation of women in fictionalised governments of American political television dramas through examinations of genre, narrative and resulting semiotic impressions.
Employing three mainstream dramas – Designated Survivor (2016-2019), Madam Secretary (2014-2019) and House of Cards (2013-2018) – as well as a sample of supporting texts that complement the genre, the dissertation contends that contemporary depictions of the American presidency portray women positively within positions of authority. These positive representations include instances of increased self-confidence, equality, and familial support in personal and professional circumstances. In addition, the dissertation considers the impact of political and gender representations on the wider audience, establishing how these interpretations may encourage notions of female empowerment and political action.
The analysis is contextualised by studies of on-screen and off-screen presidencies, gender and feminism, the television family, and cinematography in order to provide an in-depth examination of the factors that influence televisual representations and how they alter the overall impression of each female protagonist.

Course: Media Studies - BA (Hons) - C1346

Date Deposited: 2020-10-28

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13599.html