Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0120 - The Anatomy of Pictures

Images dominate our imaginations with such intensity cultural theorists describe their affect in pathological terms: "the hypertrophy of visual stimulation" (Martin Jay), "a topographical amnesia" (Paul Virilio), "excremental culture" (Arthur and Mary Louise Kroker), "our narcotic modernity" (Avital Ronell). Visual culture is so influential we risk remaining "forever trapped inside the image" (Jacques Ranciere). To challenge these causes and effects, this course will build students' conceptual rigor and visual literacy by devoting most of the course time to group analysis and discussion of a strategic selection of images from photography, video, new media and other visual media. By focusing on one or two images per class, students will experience and learn how to go deep in all the ways that images can be unpacked. Selected readings will support this process by addressing some of the theoretical, social and cultural issues influencing the formation of visual culture in 2015.

Arts, Design, and Media Writing and Research Multiple Cultural Perspectives Independent Work Students are expected to spend 8 hours weekly in preparation and work outside of class time.