English 172: 
Introduction to Visual Culture
Spring 2006
Jefferson Hendricks
English Department 
Centenary College of Louisiana
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Texts and Syllabus
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Writing Resources for Students
Web Resources for Visual Culture

Texts
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Syllabus
(This schedule is subject to change; check back before every class for updates)
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Week One:  Jan. 10-12

Tu Jan 10:          Introduction to Course


Th Jan 12:         On Seeing and How We Think About What We See     

Week Two:  Jan. 17-19

Tu Jan 17:


Th Jan 19:    Walter Williams Visit to Our Class 

Week Three:  Jan. 24-26

Tu Jan 24:


Th Jan 26: 

Week Four:  Jan. 31-Feb. 2

Tu Jan 31:


Th Feb 2:  N0 CLASS -- Founder's Day
Week Five:  Feb. 7-9

Tu Feb 7:    

Th Feb 9: 
Week Six:  Feb 14-16

Tu Feb 14: 

Th Feb 16: 

Week Seven:  Feb. 21-23

Mon  Feb 20:    Essay #1 due by 2:00 pm to Ms. Palmer in Jackson Hall 307

Tu Feb 21: 
Th Feb. 23: 

Week Eight:    Feb. 28-Mar. 2

NO CLASS -- MARDI GRAS BREAK

Week Nine:    Mar. 7-9


Tu  Mar 7:  

Th Mar 9:  

Week Ten:    Mar. 14-16

Tu Mar 14:

Th Mar 16: 
Week Eleven:  Mar 21-23

Tu Mar 21:


Th Mar 23:       Begin unit on "Cinema and Visual Culture"

Week Twelve:  Mar. 28-30

Tu Mar 28:

Th Mar 30:

Week Thirteen:  Apr. 4-6

Tu Apr 4:


Th Apr 6:   

Week Fourteen:  Apr. 11-13

Tu Apr 11:


Th Apr 13:      NO CLASS  --  EASTER BREAK

Week Fifteen:  April 18-20

Tu Apr 18:


Th Apr 20:

Week Sixteen:  Apr. 25-27

Mon April 24:    Optional/Extra Credit:  Essay #2 due by 2:00 pm to Ms. Palmer in Jackson Hall 307  
(those who would like to write a second essay on a film of your choice -- though cleared with me  --  may do so either to try for a higher grade than you made on your first essay, or for extra credit)  

 Tu Apr 25: 

Th Apr 27:       No Class:  Study for Final Exam 



Final Exam:     Monday, May 1   8:00 am --  11:00 am      Jackson Hall 304




Study Guide:  

The final exam will be cumulative and will cover all required readings and class lectures from the entire semester, though the final will focus largely on the film unit.  (Roughly one-half of the exam will be from the material in the course before the film unit and approximately one-half from the film unit itself.)  

The exam will be composed of two parts:  Part I will be an identification/short answer section in which you will write a 2-3 sentence definition/identification of terms, people, concepts, theories, movements, art works, etc.  This will be exactly like the identification/short answer sections of the earlier two exams.    This part of the exam must be taken in Jackson Hall 304 and must be handwritten.  This is a closed-book, no-note part of the exam.   There will be twenty (20) identification/short answer items.  This part of the exam will start at 8:00 and it will be taken up at 9:15.   (Those who finish this section early may begin on the essay portion of the exam.)  

Part Two will be two in-class essays (actually, you may go anywhere to take the exam) that will be open-book, open-note essays.  You are given several topics to study below; on the morning of the exam you will be asked to write on two of them, for approximately an hour each (approximately 3-4 pages each).   You may (and should) use other writings as evidence to support your arguments, but be sure to properly note your use of other sources.   Your goal here will be to write two strongly-argued, well-supported essays in which you demonstrate your control of the material that we've studied this semester.  This portion must be turned in to Room 307 in Jackson Hall no later than 11:30 am.  

Possible essay questions:   (note that any suggested questions to answer are merely suggestions; you may take your argument in any direction that's profitable)  
  • Be prepared to write a 3-4 page essay (about 1000 words) on Calvin Klein's advertising images, making an argument about how his advertising uses sexuality to sell consumer goods.   You should make reference to images that we've studied in class this semester, and/or to other advertising images of Calvin Klein's with which you are familiar.   Obviously you will want to engage the ideas of Struken and Cartwright (as well as other critics and theorists) as you present your argument.  
  • Be prepared to write a 3-4 page essay (about 1000 words) in which you argue that the study of traditional forms of visual art (painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, etc.) can aid you in the study of contemporary popular and mass media.   Obviously this is a broad topic; the challenge for you will be to construct a thesis and argue it closely and deeply.  You may take this question in any direction that you wish; you will be expected to engage some of the ideas/theories that we've discussed this semester.    
  • Be prepared to write a 3-4 page essay (about 1000 words) in which you compare and contrast the portraiture of Cindy Sherman and Robert Mapplethorpe in terms of how each constructs a sense of identify for their subjects (whether themselves in self-portraiture or others).   Some questions to possibly consider:  What's the theme of their portraits?  Is there a general tone for their portraiture?   To what degree do their subjects seem to have a sense of "agency" (that is "to act" as opposed to just "be")?   In what ways do their photographs refer to other works of art and why?  
  • Be prepared to write a 3-4 page essay (about 1000 words) in which you compare and contrast the photography of  Walker Evans with the photography of Diane Arbus.  Some questions to possibly consider:  Are they "realistic" photographers?   What do you make of their interest in the unusual, the strange, the bizarre?  Are they more similar or dissmilar in their approach to photography?  
  • Be prepared to write a 3-4 page essay (about 1000 words) on a film of your choice in which you give a "reading" of that film based on its formal qualities.  Consider how formal elements of cinematography (composition and framing, shot selections and types, etc.) and editing style (rhythm and pacing) -- as well any other formal elements of your choosing -- contribute to "how" the film constructs its meaning.   In short:  how does "form" create and contribute to "content" or "theme"?  
  • Be prepared to write a 3-4 page essay (about 1000 words) on a film of your choice in which you give a "reading" of that film based on how it negotiates the tension between "realism" and "expressionism" that's inherent in most all conventional narrative films operating with the paradigm of classical Hollywood cinema.  For example:  in what ways does the film attempt to be "realistic"?  in what ways does it remind us that it's a "film" and is a created artifact?  What's the dominat source of the power or pull of the film that you're analyzing?  Is it the more "realistic" side of the film?  or the "expressionistic" side?  What's the final effect on you, the spectator?    


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