James Chapman (historian)
Encyclopedia
James Chapman is a British media historian
who has written a number of books on cinema and television. Chapman is Director of Film Studies and the Visual Arts at the University of Leicester
.
and then undertook his doctoral research at Lancaster University
, completing his thesis on the role of official film propaganda in Britain during the Second World War
.
In 1996 he joined The Open University
where he taught a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and was principal contributing author to the university’s first dedicated course on Film and Television History. He joined the University of Leicester as its founding Professor of Film Studies in 2005.
Professor Chapman’s research focuses on British popular culture
, especially cinema and television in their historical contexts. He is interested in the role of the mass media as propaganda, the representation of war and history, and the cultural politics of popular fictions including James Bond
and Doctor Who
. His second book, Licence To Thrill, was described by SFX magazine
as “intelligent, ludicrous, a bit snobby–bit like Bond, really”. He is a Council member of the International Association for Media and History
(IAMHIST), editor of Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television
and is co-editor of the Journal of British Cinema and Television
.
He has also published articles in the following journals: Screen, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Journal of Popular British Cinema, Visual Culture in Britain, Journal of Contemporary History, Contemporary British History and European Journal of Cultural Studies.
He has also written a cultural history of British comics, that was published by Reaktion
.
Media studies
Media studies is an academic discipline and field of study that deals with the content, history and effects of various media; in particular, the 'mass media'. Media studies may draw on traditions from both the social sciences and the humanities, but mostly from its core disciplines of mass...
who has written a number of books on cinema and television. Chapman is Director of Film Studies and the Visual Arts at the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
.
Biography
James Chapman took his BA (History) and MA (Film Studies) at the University of East AngliaUniversity of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
and then undertook his doctoral research at Lancaster University
Lancaster University
Lancaster University, officially The University of Lancaster, is a leading research-intensive British university in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. The university was established by Royal Charter in 1964 and initially based in St Leonard's Gate until moving to a purpose-built 300 acre campus at...
, completing his thesis on the role of official film propaganda in Britain during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1996 he joined The Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
where he taught a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and was principal contributing author to the university’s first dedicated course on Film and Television History. He joined the University of Leicester as its founding Professor of Film Studies in 2005.
Professor Chapman’s research focuses on British popular culture
Popular culture
Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...
, especially cinema and television in their historical contexts. He is interested in the role of the mass media as propaganda, the representation of war and history, and the cultural politics of popular fictions including James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
and Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
. His second book, Licence To Thrill, was described by SFX magazine
SFX magazine
SFX is a British magazine covering the topics of science fiction and fantasy.-Description:SFX magazine is published every four weeks by Future Publishing and was founded in 1995. The magazine covers topics in the genres of popular science fiction, fantasy and horror, within the media of films,...
as “intelligent, ludicrous, a bit snobby–bit like Bond, really”. He is a Council member of the International Association for Media and History
International Association for Media and History
The International Association for Media and History is a scholarly organization which brings together media historians and professionals with an interest in media history. Founded in the summer of 1977 it organizes biennial conferences, which have typically rotated between venues in the UK, US...
(IAMHIST), editor of Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television
Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television
The Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television is an academic journal dedicated to the study of media history. It is published quarterly by Routledge on behalf of the International Association for Media and History. The current editor-in-chief is James Chapman ....
and is co-editor of the Journal of British Cinema and Television
Journal of British Cinema and Television
The Journal of British Cinema and Television is a triannual academic journal published by Edinburgh University Press in May, August and December of each year. It was established in 2004. Themed issues alternate with regular issues and every issue contains papers, book reviews, interviews and...
.
He has also published articles in the following journals: Screen, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Journal of Popular British Cinema, Visual Culture in Britain, Journal of Contemporary History, Contemporary British History and European Journal of Cultural Studies.
He has also written a cultural history of British comics, that was published by Reaktion
Reaktion Books
Reaktion Books is an independent book publisher based in Clerkenwell, London, United Kingdom.Reaktion Books was founded in 1985 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved to London in 1987....
.