This module is guided by an interest in exploring the intersections between the spheres of visuality, textuality, language, technology and history. It includes an exploration of aspects of media archaeology (i.e. the historical study of the role played by technological media in constituting and shaping varieties of perception).  Thinkers discussed include such figures as Heidegger, Virilio, Sontag, Benjamin, Krauss, Flusser, Barthes and Kittler. You will explore topics including the theorization of visuality, the social and technological conditions which shape visual understanding, the nature of the image and the relationships between technology and writing. You are encouraged to explore different avenues related to the material discussed in lectures and seminars in your formative and summative writing. 

• explain concepts and ideas relevant to the study of visual culture and media archaeology
• interpret critically key texts in the field
• engage in close critical analysis of relevant texts
• evaluate and synthesize arguments about and interpretations of relevant material

This module will be delivered through a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous activities, as part of this programme’s blended provision, which will include on-campus and online teaching and support.

The precise mode of delivery and details – subject to Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance – of the teaching and support activities will be made available at the start of the semester via Learning Central.

Academic skills: this module will develop and practise skills in close reading, independent scholarly research and critical thinking, with particular attention to historical, contemporary and theoretical relevance of the texts and visual media studied, making use of sound reasoning and detailed engagement with source materials. Assessment will develop skills in outlining, analysing and constructing arguments, developing close readings of texts; the deploying a critical vocabulary appropriate to the material at hand; and using (and deriving value from) texts and other materials encountered in the module.

Employability skills: these include the ability to synthesise information, participate in group-based discussion, to negotiate different and conflicting standpoints, to communicate ideas and to produce clear, informed arguments in a professional manner. Student-led research will encourage skills of information collation, selection and synthesis.

The methods of summative assessment for this module are detailed in the table below.

Formative work to be submitted before each summative assessment: you can choose between submitting, as appropriate, an essay plan/structure, synopses of essay topic options (if undecided) or sample paragraph/s; for creative assignments, you can submit working drafts of parts of your composition, as arranged with the workshop convenor.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:
As with School policy, failed or unsubmitted assessments can be retaken during the August resit period.

Indicative Syllabus:

Technology and Visuality

• Technology shaping visuality
• Seeing and equipment
• Flusser on photography

Text, Image, Vision

• Barthes: textuality, visuality, Camera Lucida
• Susan Sontag: the image–world
• Nancy Shawcross: Barthes, the photograph and postmodernity

Virilio: Dromology and Visuality

• Bunker space
• Dromology
• Vision machines
• Visualizing space(s): Laura Kurgan on technology and the politics of mapping

Media Theory and Media Archaeology

• Walter Benjamin and technological reproducibility
• Media archaeology: Friedrich Kittler
• Wendy Hui Kong Chung: habitual media
• Wanda Strauven: dilemmas of observation and touch