The general aim of the course is to introduce key issues, theories, and methods in visual cultures studies, providing a changing topical focus that addresses new research in this developing interdisciplinary area. Word & Image introduces ways of approaching the analysis of text and image (e.g., iconology, semiotics, deconstruction, poststructural challenges to the distinction between word and image, and discourse analysis) and historical and contemporary practices with word & image interaction from ancient codices, medieval manuscripts, early modern emblem books, and the early modern revolutions in print to Surrealist, Futurist and Dada artworks and publications, the photo-essay, modern and contemporary conceptual art, and contemporary graphic novels. The course will also extend to current work on new media, hypertext, and the new logics of word-image relations. The course will be a combination of lecture and discussion. The course readings will all be in a reader with the possible exception of one or two novels. Course requirements will consist of several short writing assignments leading up to a final project which may take the form of either a research paper or a creative project in word-image experimentation. Participants are strongly encouraged to work on an area that will have direct usefulness to their developing "portfolio" or specialization. There is no expectation that students will have background in art history. The course is cross-listed with comparative literature to ensure broad interdisciplinary participation.
