Exploration of the role of visual culture in American history. How Americans' understanding of historical events has been influenced by visual culture and how images have helped to shape national identity. Both fine art and more popular imagery will be considered.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be expected to attend all undergraduate class sessions and to meet regularly with the instructor to discuss their research. In addition to preparing a more extensive research paper than the undergraduates, graduate students will draft weekly critical assessments of the readings and write a professional book review. Graduate students will also be expected to lead discussions and to formally present their research to the class.
Athena Title
Picturing America
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
Any 2000-level HIST course
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about visual object by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of visual culture in America shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward race, gender, labor, immigration, environment, and values, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and objects and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
By the end of this course, students will be able to generate their own research question or topic, locate suitable visual artifacts, and synthesize their ideas in novel ways.
By the end of this course, students will be able to initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate their independent research projects in stages and to give and receive constructive feedback through the peer review process.
Topical Outline
Introduction to Visual Culture, 1770-1970
Images of Columbia and America
Picturing the Revolution
Washington and the Founders
Native Americans and the Land
Slaves and Free Blacks
Yeoman Farmers and Southern Plantations
Artisans and Laborers
Women and the Domestic Sphere
Childhood and Education
Freedom and Liberty Landscape
Cityscapes
Wealth and Abundance
War
Immigration
The Great Depression
Suburban Values
Civil Rights
Counter Cult
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Communication
The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
