Studies in Visual Culture

Catalog description

An exploration of the interdisciplinary field of visual culture that builds, among others, on the fields of art, cinema and media studies, gender studies, (post)structuralism, and critical/cultural studies. Participants explore key texts in visual culture that examine the diverse roles of looking and seeing in contemporary culture. Readings and discussions provide an overview of debates on a range of areas including: the gaze, bodies, and power; consumer culture and globalization; colonialism/postcolonialism; and scientific looking. Readings are paired with screenings to facilitate the application of theory and lively, interactive discussion. Objects of study include film & television, advertising, fashion, architecture, photography, painting, graphic design, and digital culture. The course integrates theory and methods in the analysis and critique of visual culture.