Questionnaire

Age?
31
Sex?
Male
What is your degree subject (both if joint)?
English & History
Does ‘Being Bad’ relate well to the other modules you are taking?
Sort of - English I suppose
Have you found ‘Being Bad’ too demanding, too easy, or at an appropriate level?
Appropriate
Do you think the list of topics covered on the module was appropriate?
Yes
Are there any topics not included in the module that you would like to see included?
No
Do you think that the format for classes has worked well?
Yes - I enjoyed the lectures and talking in groups
What did you think of the module team?
Very good!
Do you think it would have been better to have had more:
Small group discussions?
No - was fine with the amount
Discussion and debate among the class as a whole?
No - prefered smaller group discussions
Information and talk from lecturers?
No
The approach taken in the module is interdisciplinary (drawing on perspectives from English Literature, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Media Studies and Politics): do you think this a useful way of approaching the topics covered in the module?
Yes - gives you a chance to talk to students on different courses and hear their opinions
Do you think that interdisciplinary modules are a good idea?
Yes
Do you think you have benefited from the interdisciplinary approach taken in the module?
Yes
Would you like to see more modules that cover this kind of subject matter?
No
Are you planning to take the follow-up module PH2004 ‘It Shouldn’t Be Allowed’ at level 2?
No
Would you recommend ‘Being Bad’ to a friend?
Yes definately
Do you think that the blogs (web logs) were a good idea?
Yes a really good way of working and getting a mark. Able to do anytime as you think of things instead of essay writing
What did you think of the other assessments (e.g. would it be better to have one longer assessment rather than two shorter ones?)?
Good - would like to have been able to have written 2 essays instead of only being able to do one then a short story
What parts of the module have you found most useful and why?
Group discussions and blogs- good way of hearing everyones thoughts on subjects
What parts do you think were a waste of time and why?
Did not really enjoy the lying session
Are there any other comments you wish to make regarding ‘Being Bad’?
I really enjoyed the module - there were no straight answers only opinions and it was good to talk and discover what other people thnk about the subjects. Made me ask questions about my iwn opinions on things. Enojyed the masturbation/drugs and body modifcation lectures the most.

Prejudices

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6055696.ece

When hearing the suggestions for week 12 I was intrigued (and surprised) to see that 'homosexuality' was listed as one of the topics someone had put down for discussion. I was dissapointed to think that someone would thing that being homosexual is 'bad' behaviour. It is not something that an individual choses to be -in the same way you cannot chose what sex you are or the colour of your skin. In modern society I beleive everyone should be treated equally regardless of sex, skin colour or sexual preference. I don not think homosexuality is bad but homophobia (along with sexism and racism etc) is and should be challenged.

One of the biggest areas in society where homosexuality is still a taboo subject is in the world of professional football - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/apr/15/sport.comment2

Would being gay be more acceptable to more people if footballers who are gay (and statistically some must be) came out. Do they not reveal their sexuality for fear of abuse they may get from (si called) fans?

Bad Taste Jokes

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1575340/Bad-taste-jokes-need-time-to-be-funny.html

Is the sending of jokes which are in bad taste considered bad behaviour? Whenever something bad happens (disasters etc) or when someone famous dies, it does not seem to take long before someone sends a sick joke relating to it. The jokes come so quickly now that in one case I found out about the event first because of a joke instead of on the news. Among the many subjects to have jokes sent about them in the last couple of years are Joseph Fritzl, Micheal Jackson, Gary Glitter, Madeline McCann, and Jade Goody. Is it morrally right to make jokes out of other peoples suffering and subjects such as rape and paedophilia? Why do people not consider the feelings of the victims? Is the making of jokes of subjects like these only noticable now they are sent as texts, or have we as a society always told jokes like this - there is no way anyone would dare print or broadcast on radio or TV jokes like these.

Comment on 'Comedians Not So Funny'

http://denhayjon.blogspot.com/2009/04/comedians-not-so-funny.html

I think it is unfair to judge comedians like Benny Hill by todays standards. I don't think he was sexist - it was just the way things were in the 70s. Bernard Manning was racist though! (Never liked him).

Comment on 'Pope and Condoms'

http://stripeybees.blogspot.com/2009/03/pope-and-condoms.html

I think that this (and other issues) shows how out of touch the Pope and the Catholic religion is with the modern world. Contraception should be available to those that want to use it to control pregnancy or for safe sex.

Comment on 'Bullying'

http://jaysbeingreallybad.blogspot.com/2009/04/bullying.html

I hadn't really thought of this topic until I read this but agree it would make a good subject for one of the lectures. I think it is possible we are guilty at some time of being a purportrater of bullying and of also being a victim. Most people think of bullying happening only at shcool but these days it is common place in places of work, socially and even at sports events. I've experienced bullying at work years ago without realising what it was - I probably thought that that kind of beahviour was the norm. however in hindsight it was bullying.

I hope that having had these experiences I am able to think about my own behaviour towards other peoplke and not act in the same way.

LSD Testing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4745748.stm

Fantastic lecture this week on Drugs maily focusing on LSD. As stated previously my opinion on drugs is that they should be allowable but controlled and that the individual should be able to make a choice about whether or not to take them. I think the crime surrounding drugs supply and use is far worse than the actual drugs themselves.

The most interesting thing that was discussed at the lecture was the testing of LSD on British soldiers during the 1950s and 60s. It seems to be bad behaviour on behalf of the armed forces (or maybe the Government) to allow this to happen but it seems that soldiers are often the first people to be considered for any testing of this kind.

My Dad was a soldier in the 60s and has told me about drug testing on soldiers that went on during his time - for which volunteers received extra pay. The soldiers who volunteered at the time could in no way have forseen any future health consequences at the time and some have since become ill in later life due to the tests they undertook in their youth.

Comment on 'Gambling - when is it too much?'

http://tinkersrant.blogspot.com/2009/03/gambling-when-is-it-too-much.html

I have known people who have become addicted to gambling and spent all their money either betting, or putting it into machines. Personally I have no problem with gambling in moderation (I have played the lottery, bet on horses and dogs, been to casinos etc) but some people do not know when to stop. I agree that it is the adrenaline rush of winning that causes people to carry on.

Comment on 'Jade Goody - Media Coverage'

http://blogsskumar2009.blogspot.com/2009/04/jade-goody-media-coverage.html

The media coverage surrounding Jade's death and her funeral this weekend is sickening - as was the whole thing being compared to Princess Diana's death. While I have no opinion over her death I have found it quite hard not to offend people by saying that I don't really care about it. I wasn't a fan of hers while she was alive and have found the wal to wall coverage of her death over the top.

Comment on 'Gas Prices'

http://yasminstevens.blogspot.com/2009/03/gas-prices.html

I liked this post - particularly as I work for E.ON (glad you are pleased with them. I may be biased but they are probably one of the best!).

I think in this case the bad behaviour of charging customers has lost them business, combined with the bad (or rude) behaviour of someone on the phone.

Comment on 'Goodwin's Pension Reduction'

http://blogsskumar2009.blogspot.com/2009/03/goodwins-pension-reduction-human-rights.html

This may be bad behaviour from myself but I actually agree with Sir Fred - he is entitled to the pension as it is in his contract! I don't neccesarily think he should have it due to the failing of the bank he was chairman of but I can certainly see his point of view.

Comment on 'Euthanasia'

http://blogsskumar2009.blogspot.com/2009/03/euthanasia.html

A very tricky subject! I think that everyone has a right to die with dignity - is it right to keep someone alive if they are in incredible pain or have lost their mental functions? I am sure that it is a heartbreaking decision to make to allow a loved one to die but surely a dignified death would be preferable to seeing them suffer. I find it strange that we can be 'humane' to animals like this but not to people. I agree with this post though that there would have to be safeguards put in place.

Expense Claims

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7970731.stm

I'm glad a story has come along while doing this course about 'bad' behaviour from an M.P. (and in this case her huband who is also her Parliamentary Secretary). Jaqui Smith has claimed for two pornographic movies on her expenses which had been ordered by her husbamd. She is apparently furious over the matter and claims she did not know about them (which I find hard to beleive). I think she is probably more angry that her husband has been watching porn! Obviously the genberal public are angry at Smith for the claim as by putting them on expesnes effectively the taxpayer is paying for them.

It has got me thinking however about people who claim for things on expenses which they shouldn't. Petrol, stays in hotels, hire cars, trips abroad are all the usual things that go on expenses. I know someone who puts his daily newspaper on expenses. Should we question if there is anytingn wrong with that? For the person claiming it is OK as they are getting something for nothing, however this cost has to be paid from somewhere - in many cases by increasing prices and making the customers foot the bill.

Comment on 'Dangerous Driving/SPEEDING is BAD'

http://in-the-river.blogspot.com/2009/03/dangerous-drivingspeeding-is-bad.html

I agree that there are times when you think you can drive more quickly than the speed limit/law allows. I do not agree with speeding in built up areas as that is where an accident is more likely to happen, however I think it should be a little more lenient on Motorways particularly when it is not a busy time (from that you can infer correctly I was caught speeding down a motorway during a quiet period!).

Far worse in my opinion is drunk driving - there is absolutely no excuse for this whatsoever.

Body Modification

http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/videonation/tattoo.shtml

One interesting thought that was raised at the start of this lecture was that even cutting hair and nails can be classed as body modification. While I understand that ear/naval/eyebrow/lip percings are done for fashionable purposes I have never really understand how people can take them to the extreme as in this picture. Similar with tattoos - they are a way of expressing something about you (a like, or affilliation to something). It was interesting to hear about how tattoos are used in other cultures - a maori face tattoo is acceptable in that culture but somehow seems wrong in Western society.

Comment on 'Consuming Alcohol'

http://robbeingbad.blogspot.com/2009/03/consuming-alcohol.html

I agree with Rob's post here - consuming alcohol is not a bad thing but it is important to know your limits. Drikinign moderation is fine but binge drinking is certainly bad behaviour but I am sure it is something we have all done. Does the root of this behaviour lie in how we are brought up? Because alcohol is usually off limits to under 18 year olds drinking it could be seen as something appealing to children/teenagers as it is something done by adults. Would a more measured approach to alcohol and children (such as with meals in France) help demystify it and allow people to enjoy it more sensibly?

Comment on 'Soveliss' blog - Marijuana'

http://soveliss.blogspot.com/

I think that is about time marijuana was decriminalised and made legal as perhaps a perscriptive medicie for those who need it to releive pain. I'm sure this would put an end to people secretely growing it and selling it and give the police time to concentrate or more useful things. Is it really as 'bad' as smoking a cigarette?

Comment on 'Lying With Integrity'

http://itsthethoughtthatcounts-samyh.blogspot.com/2009/03/lying-with-integrity.html
Machieavelli is right - you do need to be a good liar to be a leader. I'm not sure that as a nation we should be told the truth all the while. Some things are best kept from us, especially in regard to national security. I have always found the exaple of lying over reasons for war in Iraq interesting. Admittedly we were lied to about there being hidden weapons of mass destruction, but the war had a positive outcome with the ending of Saddam's regime and the insitgating of democracy in the country (the troubles and fighting since have not ben good however). With this in mind was it so bad to lie about the reasons for the war?

Comment on 'Smoking is Cool'

http://charlottes-being-bad.blogspot.com/2009/03/smoking-is-cool.html

I totally agree - smoking is cool! Nothing beats seeing Sean Connery in Dr. No at a gambling table wreathed in smoke saying he is "Bond...James Bond". Hollywood imagery of smoking has a lot to do with influencing people to smoke.

Profiteering

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7940515.stm





and





http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7612842.stm

The recent sale of Michael Jackson tickets has reminded me of 'bad' behaviour which really winds me up. That is profiteering on tickets - or ripping people off. I notice that on ebay within minutes of Jackson tickets going on sale someone was selling some for £10,000! If I had that much money I'd spend it on a new car not tickets! The face value of the tickets was £75 so I think it unreasonable to make a profit of over £9000. The most annoying thing is that these people only buy these tickets to sell on at a ridiculously inflated price leaving people who genuinely want to see concerts unable to get through to the phonelines/websites and unable to get tickets. I can understand if there is a genuine reason for reselling tickets but they should be sold at their face value with the money going to the artist (or in the case of the Hamlet tickets to the RSC which is a registered charity). I also think it is quite a reasonable price for the Jackson tickets - Madonna charges over £200 which is definately ripping fans off!

Comment on 'Wacko Jacko!'

http://karen-summersun.blogspot.com/2009/03/wacko-jacko.html

I think it is a bit unfair to criticise Michael Jackson for doing these concerts just because 'he needs the money'. I only go to work because I need the money! I think if you are fan of Michael Jackson it is the last opportunity you will get to see him - I'm not entirely convinced he will last the full amount of concerts though without falling ill!

Comment on 'Masturbation'

http://karen-summersun.blogspot.com/2009/03/masturbation.html

On of the things that the lecture helped me think about was female masturbation - something I had never considered before. I suppose as a man I had never thought about it or even heard any of my female friends talk about it. That was one of the good things about the lecture - looking at things from different perspectives

Week 12 - Shameless

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/shameless

Just thought of this after posting the previous comment - perhaps we could watch an episode and discuss the various forms of Bad Behaviour in it?

Comment on 'Shameless'

http://karen-summersun.blogspot.com/2009/02/shameless.html

I watch 'Shameless' every week and am surprpised I had not linked the programme with showing evidence of bad behaviour. I agree that it raises some interesting questions as to who is to blame for this behaviour - is it parents, peer pressure or the way society works and treats people (particularly those in this sort of environment).

The sad thing about 'Shameless' is that although things seem a little far fetched at times you just know it could (and most probably has) happened!

Masturbation

http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/do-kelloggs-corn-flakes-help-control-masturbation/

Possibly my favourite lecture on this module so far! I was wondering why it was included as part of bad behaviour as I, like others probably, do not consider it to be a bad thing. Thanks to the lecture I can see in its historical context why it was considered to be bad.

I think I would agree that it happens more than actual sex. Personally I do not see it as a poor substitute to it either (maybe I've just been unlucky!)

I was reminded of a story I had heard regarding Cornflakes, namely their inventor Dr Kellog. Cornflakes were inveted as a way to combat masturbation (see link). While not exactly a creation myth it is at least one example of how masturbation led to the creation of something!

Spitting

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/02/16/cristiano-ronaldo-john-terry-frank-rijkaard-and-the-top-10-spitting-footballers-video-115875-21128641/

While it is not a topic of bad behaviour covered by the moudle it is something that I find annoying and disgusting. Particularly annoying is footballers spitting, which I think encourages children to emulate them by spitting. To spit in someones face is the ultimate insult and can also have have health repercussions if germs are passed in this way. No other bodily fluid would be discharged in public in such a way so why saliva?

Comment on 'Bad Behaviour: Are We Setting A Good Example For Our Children?'

http://soactout.blogspot.com/

I agree with this post. A lot of the behavious of children today is influenced by the parents. What annoys me the most is the use of swearing in front of children, particularly 'Fuck'. I'm not prudish and certainly use it myself (depending on the circumstances) but there is a time and a place for it. Certainly not by children!

Comment on 'Lying'

http://selhurst62-beingbad.blogspot.com/
I agree in a sense with this post as I think lying is bad. However the are degress of lying and I suppose how 'bad' the lie is depends on its degree. Small white lies can be harmless, or lying to protect someones feelings. Is it wrong to lie and say you like a present when really you hate it so you don't hurt someones feelings?

Comment on 'Dad at 13'

http://selhurst62-beingbad.blogspot.com/

While I think that the children in question certainly have to share some of the responsibilty of their actions I do beleive that the fault lies with the parents who were not monitoring what the children were up to. Blaming someone else is bad behaviour but it seems that in today's society nobody wants to take the blame for anything - everything always seems someone elses fault

Adultery - Part Two (Revenge)

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE5D81439F933A25752C1A965958260

While the injured party in a case of adultery must understandably feel hurt and betrayed should this give them the right to carry out acts of revenge on their partner (or former partner)? The most extreme case of this would be John Wayne Bobbitt. Bobbit's wife Loretta cut off his penis while he slept when she found out he had had an affair. While I am sure she was angry and upset at finding out about the affair this did not give her the right to mutilate her husband in this way.

Adultery - Part One

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7516238.stm

I think that adultery is 'bad' as it involves two things, namely lying and betrayal. There could be many reasons for someone to go behind their partners back particularly if they are unhappy in the relationship, however it would be worse if one person still loved the other. Is it wrong to find comfort with someone else if you are in an unloving or abusive relationship? I think it is worse if the couple have children as it also a betrayal of the family.

Is it worse for a man to commit adultery or a woman? Another interesting point is would it be worse if your partner committed adultery with someone of the same sex?

I think that stoning for adulterers, as in this article, is a bit extreme however.

Pseudocide

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7512487.stm

Don't know if 'Pseudocide' is a real word or not as I can only find it on Wikipedia which I possibly don't trust! It's supposedly a term used for faking your own death.

I think this could definately be termed as 'being bad'! While I am sure the idea of having a new life (preferably in some tropical paradise) is appealing, surely having to pretend to be dead is a bit extreme. The taxman may not miss you but family and friends would and I would imagine it would cause considerable stress, especially if you were found to be really alive. In the case of John Darwin his sons never spoke to him again when they found he was alive - and quite rightly so.

(For those of you not as old as I am the picture is of Reginald Perrin - a TV character from the '70's who faked his own death)

Comment on 'Outrageous Fake Deaths'

http://jaysbeingreallybad.blogspot.com

Glad you have posted this - I was only thinking about this incident earlier today. Not so much thinking the actual crime was bad, but more the fact that both he and his wie had lied to their sons by saying he was dead! That is worse than the fraud!

Prostitution

http://latestdailynews.com/breaking-news/prostitution-legal-but-paying-for-it-is-not/

In the session last week, having watched the 'Breakfst at Tiffany's' clip, the question was raised about prostitution. Is it bad for some one to take money (or gifts, gratuities etc) and not supply the goods (SEX!). I think if it was a 'proper' prostitute (namely someone who is one for a living albeit legal or illegal) then yes - probably fraud. If it was just someone who was picking someone up in a club then probably not. They would be more of a gold-digger and the victim too stupid!

The above made me think about the reverse situation. Namely what if you had sex with a prostitute and then didn't pay. While I'm srue you would almost definately get your legs broken by a pimp I think this definately counts as theft!

(Cyber) Stalking

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3040623.stm

I think stalking in general is pretty bad. I'm talking about the following people around or waiting outside someones house in your car sort of stalking. Online stalking is a little different although I'm sure it can cause stress and discomfort to the victim. That is in the more extreme cases though.

The milder form, and what would probably constitute 'bad baheaviour' would be reading peoples emails or perhaps reading their text messages when they are out of the room.

Facebook is probably the greatest evil when it comes to cyber stalking! In one instant you can find out someones likes, dislikes, where they have been on holiday, what they do etc etc. You can read their online journals and blogs to see what they are up to.

I think it is too tempting to see what people really think of us and too easy to perhaps use this information to manipulate people.

Shoplifting

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4477596.stm

Is shoplifting as bad as other forms of theft? Essentially theft is theft so it sould be. Yet shoplifting is often carried out by 'normal' people who wouldn't usually steal.

Some shoplifting is carried out by people who can't afford to buy things, or in order to make money. This articel shows razor blades as being the number one shoplifted item - and I have seen people go round pubs selling these alongside joints of meat also stolen (I have never bought any from them!).

However some people who can afford things also shoplift. Celebrities like Winona Ryder and Richard Madeley have been in the news having been caught shoplfting. The question is what compels people like this to shoplift? I think they get a rush from having done it. OR maybe a cry for help wanting to get caught. (I found it funny that when I typed 'shoplifting' into Yahoo search engine it automatically brought back Richard Madeley's name. Society must enjoy seeing celebrities behaving badly!)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/04/richard.madeley.memoir

Smoking

I'm sure we all agree smoking is a 'bad' thing. Even I do and I'm a smoker! I know it is bad for my health but continue to do so. It's always been a social thing I think. Before in the pub all my friends smoked so I smoked to fit in. Now everyone has to go outside there is almost a camaraderie amongst strangers who can all moan about being made to brave the elements.

Smoking is generally accepted amongst adults and if I saw someone with a cigarette I probably wouldn't even notice. However on TV this week I watched a programme called Boys and Girls Alone (Channel 4 - http://www.channel4.com/programmes/boys-and-girls-alone) A social experiment in which children were left in a house free from adult supervision. Quite interesting to watch but one image stood out - and that was of a group of girls aged 8 to 10 pretending to smoke using toy cigarettes! I'm not sure I agree with the idea of encouraging children to smoke and having something that could kill you as a toy (although you could use that argument about toy guns, knives, bows and arrows etc.)

It got me thinking about how wrong (and 'bad') the idea of children smoking was. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7883248.stm