Study of the Gender Representations within the Aliens Series

Author

Whitney Anspach, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Department

Communication Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Judith Swift

Abstract

This study employed a detailed examination of and comparison between and among each of the four films within the Alien series to explore and demonstrate distinct differences in gender representation in the series. This study has also determined that there exists a relationship between these differing gender representations and concurrent changes in the gender norms of films created for the primary target audience the United States with secondary international audiences. This determination was aided by a detailed examination of the gender norms in multiple genres including science fiction, action, horror, and hybrid mixtures of these three. In addition, gender representations in other films contemporaneous with each film in the Alien series were examined in order to provide an additional basis of comparison for the gender representations within the Alien series. In all cases, each of the Alien series films was compared to films made during the same historical timeframe.

Recommended Citation

Anspach, Whitney, "Study of the Gender Representations within the Aliens Series" (2001). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1356.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1356