Contesting Images

COURSE OBJECTIVE
1. To acquire knowledge of and insight in debates and problematic issues regarding the notions of artistic, religious and political iconoclasm and idolatry/ iconophilia both in past and present times.
2. To be actively involved in the course by textual analysis of the course literature related to the lectures.
3. To practice skills required for an academic essay by composing 1) research questions and 2) proposals (work plans).
4. To write a sound academic essay of substantial size and on level 300, consisting of course literature, additional independent research, and application to a new case, related to the course theme.

COURSE CONTENT
After the historical and theoretical study of visual and material culture in years 1 and 2, year 3 of the bachelor of MKDA (Media, Art, Design and Architecture) problematizes the concept of visual culture by paying attention to the critique of the image and to iconoclasm. Attention will be paid to religious and political iconoclasm (e.g. the Iconoclastic Fury of the Reformation); theoretical critique of 'ocularcentrism' and its effects on film theory; the problematisation of the image in modern art; iconisation and iconoclasm in design; and the (imagination of) the city as contested area.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures and seminar. Attendance of the seminar is compulsory for all meetings (100%), while for the lectures 80% attendance may be accepted but 100% is recommended. However, missing the first lecture (which also serves as introduction to the course) may result in expulsion from the course.

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Course objective 2: Weekly uploads of questions for the discussions in the seminar, to be submitted. Course objectives 1, 3: Written formulation and justification of research questions, as first prologue to the final essay. Needs to be submitted in order to continue with the work plan (proposal). Course objectives 1, 3: Written proposal on basis of the previous assignment, as second prologue to the final essay. Needs to be submitted, to be permitted to write the final essay. Course objective 1, 3, 4: Written final essay, of substantial size, related to the course and of substantial academic level (level 300).