Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Humanities and Social Science
Learning Methods
Lecture
Off Site
Seminar
Workshop
Module Offerings
6111SOC-SEP-MTP
Aims
1. To explore the use and interpretation of visual data/representation in analysis of social issues.
2. To familiarize students with the work of visual sociologist in researching and assessing social practices, conditions and inequalities.
3. To consider the methodological issues and ethical implications of gathering and interpreting visual data and provide opportunities to generate or collect visual data and subject it to critical sociological reflection.
4. To explore how visual representation is used by various members of society to communicate specific meanings and reinforce or challenge social values and arrangements with specific reference to the role of visual images in society.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Demonstrate critical awareness of sociological explanations of the role of visual representation in social life.
2.
Critically evaluate the work of selected documentary photographers, film makers and activists who explore social issues in a global context.
3.
Demonstrate successful experience of generating or collecting visual data for sociological analysis.
4.
Sociologically analyse the role of the relation between individual and collective experiences of memory and visual representation.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:Explore history of visual sociology and sociological theories of visual representation.
Interpreting the meaning of visual images.
Relation between words and images in enquiry and 'writing up' research.
Ethical dimensions of gathering visual data.
Brief introduction to the practicalities of using cameras in sociological work.
Visual analysis of aspects of social life related to a range of contemporary issues.
Visualising the ‘other’ and the power of visual medium and methods.
Topics covered will include documentary photography and film, observation photo-elicitation and understanding how others 'see' the world, photovoice, participatory film making, visual images and memory, images role in challenging dominant narratives.
Exploring and reflecting on the use and value of a visual method.
Module Overview:
This module encourages students to think sociologically about the role of visual images and representation in social life, and be able to sociologically analyse and explain the role and meaning of representations.
This module encourages students to think sociologically about the role of visual images and representation in social life, and be able to sociologically analyse and explain the role and meaning of representations.
Additional Information:This module encourages students to think sociologically about the role of visual images and representation in social life, and be able to sociologically analyse and explain the role and meaning of representations. It will critically discuss the proliferation and power of images in contemporary society, and explore ways of reading images to generate sociological insights. In particular, the modules aims to make students familiar with contemporary and past examples of the use of visual representation, especially photography and film including social documentaries and street photographers and activists. Through their own research students will explore the value of the visual in representing social complexity.