Visual Culture
Overview
Visual Culture is an interdisciplinary programme at the University of Otago. It seeks both to understand visual artefacts (including, for example, documentary photographs, diagnostic imaging, fashion and cityscapes) and to analyse 'vision' as a social and cultural process.
Visual Culture examines the technologies by which images are produced, circulated and received, as well as the theories of seeing that make the visual world intelligible. So, rather than concentrating primarily on images themselves as objects, it addresses the relationships between images, discourses, societies, and persons.
Much of the research in Visual Culture is concerned with the ways in which images inform our sense of ourselves as subjects, the nature of the society we inhabit, and our imagination of the world.
Visual Culture intersects productively with a range of other subjects, including Anthropology, Art History, Design, Film and Media Studies, Gender Studies, History, Information Science, Performing Arts Studies, Physical Education, and Psychology.
The Visual Culture major is organised around three core papers, supplemented by a range of cognate 'approved' papers.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)
Papers
See the full list of Media, Film and Communication (MFCO) papers.
Programme Requirements
Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Visual Culture
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level |
18 18 |
|
| 200-level |
Two of ANTH 205, ARTH 200-level papers, CHIN 242, CLTE 204, DESI 212, GEND 205, GEOG 210, GEOG 215, MART 201, MFCO 201, MFCO 212, MFCO 213, PHSE 235, THEA 221, THEA 251 |
18 36 |
| 300-level |
Three of ARTH 300-level papers, CLAS 326, DESI 312, GEND 305, GEOG 381, MFCO 301, MFCO 313, PACI 301, PERF 301, PHSE 337, RELS 305 |
18 54 |
| Plus |
198 further points; must include 54 points at 200-level or above. Up to 90 points may be taken from outside Arts |
198 |
| Total | 360 |
Minor Subject Requirements
Visual Culture as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), or Bachelor of Tourism (BTour) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | See below | 18 |
| 200-level | Also see below | 18 |
| 300-level | Three further papers from those available for Visual Culture major subject requirements, at least two of which must be above 100-level, and at least one of which must be above 200-level | 54 |
| Total | 90 |
Further Information
Email us at mfco@otago.ac.nz or visit our website at http://www.otago.ac.nz/mfco
