OVERVIEW

Since the 1990s, studies of visual culture have defined a series of methodological approaches and tools that are particularly useful to better understand the problem of incessant production and circulation of visual contents in contemporary society. The course requires solid basic knowledge of 20th century history, history of contemporary art and history of cinema and photography. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Analysing and historicising the knowledge of theoretical reflection on the aesthetic, linguistic and philosophical statute of cinematographic images in the framework of a wider 20th century reflection on images and viewing. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students with the tools to understand the contemporary media horizon, to analyze visual and audiovisual texts and to problematize the political, social and cultural role of the media and their discourses.

At the end of the course the student will: 1) learn about the history and theory of visual studies; 2) be able to analyze visual and audiovisual texts; 3) know how to interpret the social and cultural role of the media; 4) be able to describe, analyze and contextualize media, visual and audiovisual content; 5) possess the ability to move critically within the history of the media.

PREREQUISITES

Cinema and Art history

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons will hopefully be held in person, but with the possibility to attend via Teams.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course aims to offer a general presentation of visual studies through the analysis of some key terms of this relatively recent area. At the same time, the course will dwell in detail on the theoretical contribution of some of the main scholars of the visual studies field, ncluding W.J.T. Mitchell, Horst Bredekamp, James Elkins and Hans Belting.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Barbara Grespi, Luca Malavasi, Dalla parte delle immagini. Temi di cultura visuale, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2022
- Ruggero Eugeni, La condizione postmediale. Media, linguaggi e narrazioni, La Scuola, Brescia, 2015
- Michele Cometa, Cultura visuale. Una genealogia, Raffaello Cortina, Milano, 2020

Non attending studentes will add:

- V. Flusser, Per una filosofia della fotografia, Bruno Mondadori, Milano, 2006

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUCA MALAVASI (President)

GABRIELE RIGOLA

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Second semester (01.03.2022)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral and written

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. Oral exam aimed at assessing a solid knowledge of the constitutive themes at the center of visual studies, with particular reference to the theories developed since the nineties.
2. A paper about one of the themes studied during the course.

Exam schedule