Module HIST4NEW: History, Knowledge and Visual Culture.

Department: History

HIST4NEW: History, Knowledge and Visual Culture.

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To enable students to gain an advanced understanding of the role of visual culture in historical practice, focusing on the theme of ‘knowledge’, its acquisition, display and dissemination, and on examples from Western cultures from 1600 onwards.

Content

• This module introduces students to the leading themes, concepts, topics and approaches that concern the central roles of visual images in the production of authoritative knowledge including: maps; scientific and medical illustration; the history of books and other forms of communication; author portraits, medals and memorials; documentary photography and film; museums; personification and allegory, and the fields that have specialized in them. Students will be able to focus on one or more of these topics in their coursework, and will be expected to engage with the full range through oral presentations and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

• Advanced understanding of approaches to the intertwined histories of knowledge and of visual culture in early modern and modern Western settings.

• Subject specific skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

• Key skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/PGModuleProformaMap/

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Student learning is facilitated by a range of teaching methods. Seminars and Group Discussion require students to reflect on and discuss: their prior knowledge and experience; a range of secondary and primary sources; information provided during the session. They provide a forum in which to assess and comment critically on the findings of others and their own insights, to defend their conclusions through reasoned argument, and advance their knowledge and understanding of visual culture and the history of knowledge from 1600. Structured reading and looking require students to focus on materials that are integral to the themes and approaches of the module. They specifically enable the acquisition of detailed knowledge and skills, which will be discussed in other areas of teaching and learning experience. Visits, including to museums and to Palace Green library are an integral part of the module and students will be expected to make at least one class presentation during such a visit. Assessment is by means of a 5000 word essay, which requires the acquisition and application of advanced knowledge and understanding of an aspect of the module. Essays require a sustained and coherent argument in defence of a hypothesis, and must be presented in a clearly written and structured form, with supporting visual materials as part of their apparatus.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

One or more short assignments delivered orally and discussed in a group context.