OVERVIEW

The course is an introduction to the objects of study and methodologies of analysis of visual culture studies, and It aims to provide a set of useful tools for describing and interpreting the contemporary media and visual scenario.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course represents an introduction to the objects of study and to the analysis methodologies of visual studies, and aims to provide a series of useful tools to describe and interpret the contemporary media and visual scenario with awareness.

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.

The course also includes the acquisition of basic level alphabetical-functional skills.

PREREQUISITES

The course requires solid basic knowledge of 20th century history, contemporary art history, film history and the history of photography.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will be held in presence.

The development of a final written test, in which the student is asked to elaborate on a topic from the acquired notions, will allow work on basic level alphabetical-functional competence.

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.

The course is enhanced by a series of seminars with leading Italian scholars of visual culture and image and media theory.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- B. Grespi, L. Malavasi, Dalla parte delle immagini. Temi di cultura visuale, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2022
- R. Eugeni, La condizione postmediale. Media, linguaggi, narrazioni, La Scuola, Brescia, 2015
- W.J.T. Mitchell, Pictorial Turn. Saggi di cultura visuale, Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano, 2017
- L. Magnani, L. Malavasi (a cura di), Il volto nell'era digitale, numero monogafico di "VCS-Visual Culture Studies", n. 5, 2022

- Essays uploaded on AulaWeb

Non attending students should add:

- R. Coglitore (a cura di), Cultura visuale. Paradigmi a confronto, Duepunti Edizioni, Palermo, 2008

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUCA MALAVASI (President)

GABRIELE RIGOLA

LESSONS

LESSONS START

19th February 2024

Class schedule

VISUAL CULTURE ELEMENTS

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral and written exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1) Oral exam designed to test a solid knowledge of the constituent aspects of visual studies

2) A written paper on a topic agreed with the professor, relating to one of the contents covered during the course. Instructions for the written paper are available on AulaWeb.

Exam schedule