HIST 5709 Photography and Public Historical past

2027 Winter Term
Instructor: James Opp
 



Photograph of a color slide from
the South Street Seaport Museum
Barbara Mensch
“The Nobility of Work” exhibition
Detail from Danish Photo Album, 1971
Royal Library, Copenhagen
 
 
Scope & Objectives: This course explores the social historical past of pictures/photographic practices, with a watch in direction of unravelling the methodological and theoretical points that complicate using images as proof of “the past.” Through seminar discussions and assignments, we are going to contextualize the historic manufacturing of images whereas on the identical time problematizing how images are used to visualise historical past. By exposing the ability relations invested in photographic practices, we are going to critically assess how the archiving, amassing, publishing, and exhibiting of images have traditionally and proceed to function websites of contested reminiscence.
 
This course doesn’t aspire to supply a complete survey of photographers, element the technical historical past of cameras and movie, or examine photographic types as a operate of artwork. No photographic technical means is required. Rather, by way of selective themes and case examples, we are going to hint the ability of photographic representations, think about their materiality, and rethink how students make use of, make the most of, and are available to phrases with images and photographic follow.
 
Class Format & Readings: This is an in-person, student-led seminar in a three-hour block. Some weeks could also be put aside for area journey or archive work, relying upon availability and entry. Graduate-level participation and engagement with the course materials shall be anticipated. No textbook for this class is required, however readings shall be made obtainable. 
 
Assignments: Assignments will concentrate on analyzing and dealing with images in areas of public historical past. Exact kind and format, TBA.  
 
Who do I contact?  Please e-mail [email protected]  (see additionally jamesopp.com for extra details about the trainer)