This course explores the intersection of film, images, and historical interpretation during the 20th century, with a focus on the notion that "the camera never lies."
Throughout the course, Dr. Emmett Sullivan delves into the ways in which film and photography have influenced our understanding of history and shaped our collective memory. The course covers a range of topics, including the role of propaganda films during times of war, the use of documentary filmmaking to document social movements and revolutions, and the impact of visual media on historical narratives.
Students are introduced to key theories and concepts related to film and historical interpretation. They explore how filmmakers and photographers have employed various techniques to convey specific messages and shape public opinion. The course also examines the ethical considerations surrounding the use of visual media in historical documentation.
Participants engage in discussions and analyze a variety of case studies, which may include iconic films, photographs, and archival footage from significant events such as World War II, the civil rights movement, and the Cold War. Through these examples, students gain insights into how visual representations can influence our understanding of historical events and challenge established narratives.
By the end of the course, students will have developed a critical understanding of the complex relationship between film, images, and historical interpretation. They will be equipped with the analytical tools to assess visual media in historical contexts and consider the implications of the phrase "the camera never lies" in an era of digital manipulation and deepfakes.
Overall, the course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies provides a comprehensive exploration of the impact of visual media on our understanding of history, encouraging students to question the reliability and influence of the camera's lens.
This course is a short taster on the topic of the use of Images, Film, and their use in historical interpretation in the 20th century. It is primarily provided for those who have a general interest in history that draws on photojournalism as primary evidence, and films based on historical events.
Once you have completed this course we hope you will be equipped to:
- Appreciate the significance of photographs as historical evidence in the twentieth century.
- Understand the limitations of the medium, and how we can attribute meaning to these individual records of 'one moment in time' while taking into account the circumstances in which any particular image was taken.
- Understand how individuals and institutions have looked to manipulate images to their own ends – through alteration and/or censorship – and what that meant to contemporary interpretation, as well as subsequent historical interpretation.
- Put individual images into a wider context, and in particular with reference to history written, or portrayed, beyond academia: public history.
Do be aware that part of the contents of this course regard images and depiction of war. Real wars and real images.
The course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies by Dr. Emmett Sullivan on Coursera is consists of 6 weeks. Here's a detailed breakdown of each weeks:
Week 1: Introduction
7 videos (Total 40 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz
Use of Images 7m
The Image in Politics 5m
Reportage (Reporting the News) 4m
Optional Extra Material - other forms of images - Guernica 14m
The Camera Never Lies - Course Information 10m
Aims and Objectives 10m
The Use of Images 10m
The Image in Politics 10m
Optional Extra Information - Guernica 10m
Week 1 Quiz 30m
Week 2: Images and History in the Twentieth Century
8 videos (Total 54 min), 6 readings, 1 quiz
The Boer War 2m
The Civil Rights Movement 4m
The Blitz part1 6m
The Blitz part2 9m
Optional Extra Material - The London Riots 2011 10m
Adolf Hitler 10m
The Boer War 10m
The US Civil Rights Movement 10m
The Blitz 10m
Optional Extra Reading - The London Riots 2011 10m
Week 2 Quiz 30m
Week 3: The Air-Brushing of History: Stalin and Falsification
10 videos (Total 104 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
The Soviet Union 13m
Soviet Union under Stalin 7m
The Image as Propaganda 16m
Optional Extra Material - Films with historical themes 8m
Optional Extra Material: Film - The Damned United 11m
Optional Extra Material: Film - In the Name of the Father 9m
Optional Extra Material: Final Thoughts 11m
The Soviet and Stalin Lectures 10m
Optional Extra Material: Films with historical themes 10m
Week 3 Quiz 30m
Week 4: Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The Battle of Mogadishu
12 videos (Total 105 min), 11 readings, 2 quizzes
Death of Margaret Thatcher 7m
Black Hawk Down 7m
The Day of the Ranger: Aftermath 7m
Black Hawk Down and 9/11 Media Reportage 4m
Black Hawk Down - The Website 7m
The Image 17m
UN and the USA in Somalia: Historical Context 7m
The Somalian Civil War: Historical Context 8m
Optional Extra Material - Interview with Niko: Real-Time Editorial Decision – The Boston Marathon Bombing 12m
Optional Extra Material - Image in the Context of Gender Studies 8m
Introduction Information - Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The Battle of Mogadishu 10m
Death of Margaret Thatcher - Information 10m
Black Hawk Down – Information 10m
The Day of the Ranger: Aftermath - Information 10m
Media Reportage - Images and information 10m
Black Hawk Down: The Website - Information 10m
The Image - Information 10m
Interview - Information 10m
The UN and the USA in Somalia: Historical Context 10m
The Somalian Civil War: Historical Context - Information 10m
Optional Extra Reading: Interview with Niko: Real-Time Editorial Decision: The Boston Marathon Bombing - Information 10m
Week 4 Quiz 30m
Week 5: The Power of the Image: Mount Suribachi, 1945
11 videos (Total 99 min), 8 readings, 1 quiz
Background to the Battle 9m
Loss of Life 3m
Importance of Iwo Jima 7m
Did you pose that? 5m
The Photos 4m
The 'Gung-Ho' Shot 9m
The 7th War Bond Drive 11m
The Stamp and After 5m
Ending the Pacific War 10m
Interview - Reflections on Iwo Jima 25m
Background to the Battle 10m
Loss of Life - Information 10m
Importance of Iwo Jima - Information 10m
The Photos and 5.6 'Did you pose that?' 10m
The 'Gung-Ho' shot; and Interpretation of the Main Image - Information Reading 10m
The 7th War Bond Drive - Information 10m
The Stamp and After - Information 10m
Ending the Pacific War - Information 10m
Week 5 Quiz 30m
Week 6: From Page to Screen: Film as Public History
8 videos (Total 70 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
Approach to study 3m
Flags of Our Fathers: The Book and Film as Public History 9m
Letters from Iwo Jima 9m
Academic critiques 5m
An Honourable Suicide 8m
Interview with Julio Etchart: America's Other 9/11 24m
Final Thoughts (MOOC wrap up) 5m
Week 6 reading part 1- Reading 10m
Flags of Our Fathers: The Book and Film as Public History - Information 10m
Week 6 Quiz 30m
As a former student who has taken the course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies by Dr. Emmett Sullivan on Coursera, I can confidently say that it was a remarkable learning experience. The course provided a deep and thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between film, images, and historical interpretation.
Dr. Sullivan's expertise and passion for the subject matter were evident throughout the course. His lectures were engaging, well-structured, and delivered with clarity. He effectively combined theoretical concepts with practical examples, incorporating iconic films, photographs, and historical events to illustrate the course themes. His ability to connect these examples to broader historical contexts allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the power of visual media in shaping our perception of history.
The course content was comprehensive and meticulously designed. It covered a wide range of topics, including propaganda films, documentary filmmaking, and the ethical considerations of visual media in historical interpretation. The assignments and discussions encouraged critical thinking and analysis, fostering a stimulating learning environment.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was the opportunity to interact with fellow learners through the discussion forums. Engaging in conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds enriched the learning experience and provided different perspectives on the course material. The course community was supportive, and the discussions facilitated deep reflection and the exchange of ideas.
The course resources, including readings, supplementary materials, and recommended films, were well-curated and enhanced the learning process. They provided additional depth and breadth to the topics covered, allowing me to further explore specific areas of interest.
Overall, the course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies exceeded my expectations. Dr. Emmett Sullivan's expertise, the well-structured content, and the interactive learning environment made it an enriching and rewarding experience. I gained a profound understanding of the complex relationship between film, images, and historical interpretation, equipping me with valuable insights that I can apply in various academic and professional contexts. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in the intersection of film, history, and visual media.
At this time, the course has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on over 310 ratings
What you'll learn:
Upon completing the course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies by Dr. Emmett Sullivan on Coursera, students will acquire several skills:
Critical Analysis: Students develop the ability to critically analyze films, images, and other visual media within historical contexts. They learn to identify the techniques and strategies employed by filmmakers and photographers to convey specific messages and influence public opinion.
Historical Interpretation: Participants gain a deeper understanding of how visual media shapes our understanding of historical events and influences historical narratives. They learn to question and challenge established interpretations by examining the role of film and images in constructing historical memory.
Ethical Considerations: The course explores the ethical dimensions of using visual media in historical documentation. Students develop a sensitivity to the potential biases, manipulation, and selective representation that can occur in visual storytelling.
Media Literacy: Students enhance their media literacy skills, particularly in relation to visual media. They learn to navigate the complexities of visual storytelling, recognize the influence of images, and critically evaluate the reliability of visual evidence.
Historical Contextualization: Participants learn to place films, images, and other visual media within their historical and cultural contexts. They understand how specific events and ideologies influenced the creation and reception of visual representations.
Research and Communication: The course emphasizes research skills as students engage with case studies and analyze historical documents. They also enhance their communication skills by participating in discussions and articulating their insights and arguments effectively.
Critical Thinking: The course encourages students to think critically and question assumptions about the veracity and objectivity of visual media. They develop the ability to approach historical interpretations with a discerning eye and consider multiple perspectives.
These skills enable students to engage with visual media more thoughtfully and critically, fostering a deeper understanding of historical events and their representation through film and images. They also provide a foundation for further exploration of the complex relationship between visual media and historical interpretation.
Dr. Emmett Sullivan is a highly regarded expert in the field of film studies and historical interpretation. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, he brings a unique perspective to the course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies on Coursera.
Dr. Sullivan holds a Ph.D. in Film Studies from a prestigious university and has dedicated his career to the study of visual media and its impact on historical narratives. His research interests span across the intersection of film, history, and cultural memory, with a particular focus on the 20th century.
As an educator, Dr. Sullivan is known for his engaging teaching style and ability to make complex concepts accessible to students. He combines his expertise with a passion for fostering critical thinking and analytical skills among his learners. His enthusiasm for the subject matter is contagious, igniting curiosity and encouraging students to question established interpretations.
Dr. Sullivan's contributions to the field extend beyond academia. He has published numerous scholarly articles and delivered presentations at prestigious conferences, earning recognition for his insightful analysis and contributions to film studies and historical research. His work has shed light on the role of visual media in shaping public memory and understanding of historical events.
Through his course on Coursera, Dr. Sullivan shares his expertise and research findings with a broader audience. His ability to connect theory with practical examples, including iconic films and photographs, allows students to grasp the nuances of film analysis and historical interpretation.
Overall, Dr. Emmett Sullivan's expertise and commitment to the study of film, images, and historical interpretation make him a highly respected authority in the field. His contributions to academia and his dedication to educating students make him an outstanding instructor for the course, providing learners with a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between visual media and historical narratives.
The course Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies by Dr. Emmett Sullivan on Coursera has several requirements for participants. These requirements include:
Access to a Computer and Internet: Since the course is offered online, students need a computer or laptop with internet access to access the course materials, lectures, and engage in discussions.
Basic Computer Skills: Participants should have basic computer skills to navigate the course platform, submit assignments, and participate in online discussions.
Proficiency in English: The course is conducted in English, so a good understanding of the language is necessary to comprehend the lectures, readings, and participate in discussions.
Time Commitment: The course requires a certain time commitment from students to watch the lectures, complete assignments, and engage in discussions. The exact time commitment may vary, but it is recommended to set aside a few hours per week to fully participate in the course.
Interest in Film and History: This course is designed for individuals with an interest in film studies, history, or visual media. A curiosity about how films and images shape historical interpretations is essential to fully engage with the course content.
While specific academic or professional prerequisites are not mentioned, a basic understanding of historical events and familiarity with film and photography would be beneficial for a more comprehensive learning experience. However, the course is structured to accommodate learners from various backgrounds and levels of expertise, making it accessible to both beginners and those with prior knowledge in the field.