This 12 unit core course introduces the key conceptual approaches to understanding the place of visual materials and processes in contemporary society. Each week consists of a one-hour lecture plus two-hour seminar-style discussion group focussed around set readings.

Visual culture studies draws widely from the disciplines of visual anthropology, art history, art theory and cultural studies. In this course we explore the range of approaches to understanding vision and visuality as historically and culturally distinct processes, looking at the role of images in society across place and time. At the heart of the course is an interest in understanding visual processes as fundamental to human experience, and exploring particularly the distinctive dimensions of modern visual experience. The course introduces students to key conceptual approaches and theoretical concerns and explores these via a wide range of thematic case studies. Further detail is included in the course outline.

On the successful completion of this course students should have the skills and confidence to

• Identify, articulate a range of conceptual approaches to visual culture
• Describe and analyse visual materials utilizing conceptual approaches
• Reflect creatively and critically on the role of visual materials in social life
• Communicate ideas about visual culture clearly in written and oral form

Three short visual analyses (3 x 10%), 2,000 word essay (20%), 4,000 word research essay (40%), in-class presentation (10%).

Sturken, M. & Cartwright, L. 2001 Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture, Oxford & New York: Oxford University Press, is strongly recommended as background reading.