Historicism, Photography, Film

Catalog description

How does the emergence of photographic media--photography and film--affect concepts of historicity and historical experience? And how do philosophical concepts of history and historicity inform the aesthetics of film and of documentary film in particular? Taking Kracauer's critique of photography and Benjamin's work on film, photography and the philosophy of history as its point of departure and focusing on longitudinal documentaries from the former GDR, West Germany and Switzerland, this course proposes an inquiry into the relationship of photographic media and philosophical concepts of historicity. Readings and discussions in English. Open to graduate students. Juniors and seniors may enroll with instructor permission.