Seeing is Believing. The American Century in Photographs 4219-SH004

The purpose of this course is to present the most important events in American 20th century social and political history through the lenses of camera. A selection of the most important phenomena will be analysed not from the historical perspective but from the perspective of a photographer who chronicles the events and the viewer who reads and received the photograph.
In the course I would like to show events from the following fields: immigration, war, urban America, Cold War, politicians/presidents, everyday life, social problems/protest, crime and terrorism, religion, race and racial problems, political protest. Next, analyse how these events were photographed and visualized, how this visualization helps in understanding American history, but also how it documents and creates American history and the perception of the United States abroad and at home. During the course we will debate how the photographs reflect problems, American values and beliefs, everyday life, social and political issues, etc. It is not a course in history of American photography but a course in American history through photography.
The course is for students interested in American social history and photography and, if possible, who photograph. Some basic knowledge and understating of photography would help. A sort of photography workshop and project will be a part of the course, too. Your grade will depend on active participation, presentations and evaluation of your project.

Classes:
1. Basics of photography. Documentary/social photography. Photojournalism. Reasons for photographing. Cameras. Audience. Visuals arts. Terminology. How photographers speak/persuade. Basics of composition.
2. Immigration – Stieglitz, Hine, immigration after World War 2, immigrants in photographs (Slavs, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican). Illegal immigration
3. War, part 1
World War 1 and home front; World War 2 and home front; Korean War

4. War, part 2
Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War 2003 –

5. Urban America
Jacob Riis, Lewis Hine, Levittowns. Big towns – Elliot Erwing, Vivian Maier

6. Cold War
Enemy, Russians, communists, international relations and international conflicts, leaders

7. Politicians and presidents
Roosevelt, Truman, McCarthy, the Kennedys, Reagan,. Clinton, Obama

8. Everyday life
Life Magazine photographs, street photography

9. Social Problems
Great Depression, Civil Rights Movement, Occupy Wall Street, Conuterculture.

10. Political Protest
Vietnam War, Student Protest and Activism, political protest in the 1950s

11. Crime and Terrorism (domestic)
Anarchists, Bonnie and Clyde, Weather Underground, Oklahoma City, World Trade Center, Kennedy Assassination

12. Religion and Faith
Selected religious groups (mormons, Joel Osteen, fundamental protestantism)

13. Race and racial problems
Lynichings, the Klan, racial riots in the 1960s, busing, Ferguson riots

14. Can/Do photographs lie – discussion

15. Evaluation of your project