Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0120 - The Anatomy of Pictures

Images dominate our cultural imaginations with such intensity some 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). Other critics say the explosion of visual cultures is so influential that it represents a paradigm shift-that is, a shift from the domination of language to the domination of images over our lives. This course will examine the theoretical, social and cultural issues and contexts influencing the formation of visual cultures, by dissecting specific examples from contemporary photography, film, architecture, new media and literature that problematize visuality. The implications of new models of spectatorship and visual literacy will also be considered.

Arts, Design, and Media Culture, Humanities, and Languages Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend 8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.