English 172:  Introduction to Visual Culture
Spring 2004
Jefferson Hendricks

Final Exam Study Guide

Part 1:  There will be ten items (people, terms, works, concepts, etc.) to be identified and/or defined.  The best answers will be able to provide examples and details to support your definitions. 


Part II:  There will be three 250-300 word mini-essays chosen from the following questions/topics.  The best essays will present a strong thesis and good examples and details to support your argument.

• For you, what is the strongest/best interpretation of Magritte's "Postcard"?
  
• Summarize Suzi Gablik's argument about Magritte's work. 
• How does knowing about 19th century Parisian culture help us better interpret Manet's "A Bar at the Folies-Bergère"?
  
• Summarize Manet's significance as one of the earliest modern painters.
• In what ways is Eric Fischl considered a "controversial" artist?
  
• In what ways is the art of Michael Ray Charles and Kara Walker considered "controversial"?
  
• What is meant by "abstract" art and how does it differ (formally and pyschologically) from representational art?
  
• Why are the paintings of Johannes Vermeer still valued so highly?
  
• Summarize John Berger's position on "the male gaze" as it pertains to the history of oil paintings.
  
• If you were asked to defend Sally Mann's photographs of her children as "art,"  what would be your argument?
  
• How does the medium affect your response to the nudity of Eric Fischl's paintings or of Sally Mann's photographs? 
  
• Summarize Henry Giroux's argument about the Disney films The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Alladin
• How has your critical perspective changed towards visual culture during this semester?  What would you point to as the two or three ideas or insights that have most affected your interpretive ability?