SOCI 2327 - The Power of Image

Arts & Sciences
Previous Course Number: ACOM 287

The old saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” and we commonly hear the phrase “Seeing is believing,” sometimes rebutted with “Believing is seeing.” This leads us to ask - what is the power of the image? We live in an increasingly image-based world where the number of images, the speed in which they are transmitted, and the global access of images are unprecedented. Most people are bombarded by hundreds if not thousands of visual images per day. Which images resonate and why? What makes an image endure to become a cultural icon? This course examines the content of images within a historical, political, sociological and cultural context. It traces the history of production, distribution, interpretation, and ultimately the lasting impact of the image. While the history and methodology of visual culture are essential to the understanding of its subject matter, this course is primarily organized by concepts. In each class, a different topic will be explored as it relates to the power of image in visual media.
credit(s): 3
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1100, ENGL 1105