The Image in Society

Images are essential for communication, media and entertainment and they are ubiquitous. People's identities are not given, but are increasingly negotiated through mediated meetings with others.

This course explores issues related to media, identity and power, including the media's role in the formation of identity, both individually and as a group. Students are introduced to current research in media studies in general and at NTNU in particular.

The course further develops the students' analytical, theoretical, and historical perspectives and examines the visual culture within a historical, cultural, and social understanding framework.

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

• thorough knowledge of a broad range of theories on the roles of media in a globalised world
• extended awareness of the relationship between visual media and cultural identity
• extensive knowledge of the uses of images in self presentation in the past as well as the present
• in-depth knowledge of theories on how media relates to visibility and power.

Skills

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• apply theories for critical reflection on questions of media and identity
• explain how different media enable the forging of individual and group identities
• reflect critically and independently on problems relating to the power aspect of visual technologies

Lectures and seminars.

Emphasis is placed on collaboration-based and activity-based activities in the teaching.

This course may be taught in Norwegian or English, pending staff availability.

Compulsory assignments

Up to 2 tasks must be completed and approved before students can take the course exam.

The compulsory assignments are issued by the course convenor at the start of term and must be completed to receive a final assessment.

Students are required to use Blackboard actively for updates and information, in addition to other information resources of the course.