ARTH 345 Photography and Liberation Movements
Since its invention, photography has functioned as a tool for liberation movements and the theories surrounding them. As many individuals and communities have sought to reclaim active agency over their lives and narratives, a photograph can be understood as an act of resistance. The multivalent nature of photography and liberation is often employed to reject stereotypes, create archives documenting marginalized communities, and visualize unbelievable realities. As much as photography can reinforce subjugation, it can inspire and spark liberatory action. Defining and exploring “liberation” in distinctive contexts permits us to ask: Can we see liberation? Is it solely physical? Is it psychic? And what are the limitations of photography? More than simply examining images from liberation movements, this class will explore how photography has been exploited in the name of self-actualization, autonomy, secrecy, and more. In the seminar, we will focus on the United States’ longstanding relationship between visual culture and political organizing. By examining a range of subjects, geographies, and periods, we will create a genealogical view of how photography has manifested in the pursuit of liberation.
Prerequisite
200-level ARTH, CTSJ, or BLST course
Core Requirements Met
- Fine Arts
- United States Diversity