Core Module Imagining the Image

Course Objective

Participants in this course will:
1) analyse and compare relevant theories of the image in art history,
media studies, design studies and the history of architecture.
2) actively apply theories to selected case studies.
3) examine the historicity of theories of the image and the potential
contemporary relevance of older writings.
4) reflect on the wider social and cultural relevance of various
conceptualizations of the image and visibility.

Course Content

This course examines different conceptualizations of the image in the
context of historical transformations of the arts. Each iteration places
different accents, depending on the current theoretical debates and
cultural developments, as filtered through the teacher's research
interests.
This edition is subtitled "Images of Abstraction," dealing with the
limits of representation when facing capitalism, colonialism or climate
change, as well as critical aesthetic strategies that seek to visualize
otherwise.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Lecture and seminar. The focus is on active participation and the
ability to articulate and discuss one's analysis. Participants are
expected to be able to discuss and critique theoretical texts at a high
level of sophistication.

Method of Assessment

Students write an essay that counts for 60% of the final grade;
presentations during class (30%) and participation in the discussions
(10%) make up the remaining 40%. Students need to pass the essay in
order to pass the class.

Matching of course objectives and assessment
Objective 1: Discussion about readings (10%), presentation (30%)
Objective 2: Essay, 3000 words (60%)
Objective 3: Discussion, presentation, essay
Objective 4: Discussion

Entry Requirements

Admission to Research Master's programme Critical Studies in Art and
Culture.
Students from other tracks in the Humanities Research Master and
students from comparable research master's programmes elsewhere may be
admitted individually, after consulting with the teacher.

Literature

To be announced

Additional Information Target Audience

Students Critical Studies in Art and Culture (Humanities Research
Master); selected students from other research master programmes

Additional Information

This course alternates on a biennial basis with the other Research
master core-module ‘Critical Issues in the Cultural Industries’. The
course
will be taught in 2022-23.