About this course: 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.

Created by: University of London, Royal Holloway, University of London

Taught by: Dr Emmett Sullivan, Senior Tutor
History Department, Royal Holloway, University of London

Level	Beginner
Language	English
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.0 stars Average User Rating 4.0See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Introduction

We will explore the issues associated with the use of images as a source for historical research and consider a number of examples where image manipulation has been uncovered

7 videos, 8 readings

Graded: Week 1 Quiz

WEEK 2

Images and History in the Twentieth Century

We will review a number of cases studies where images have either shaped our opinion of events or have been suppressed from the public at the time, to avoid adverse or negative reaction.

8 videos, 6 readings

Graded: Week 2 Quiz

WEEK 3

The Air-Brushing of History: Stalin and Falsification

The cause célèbre' of historical manipulation - Joseph Stalin. The 'air brushing' of historical records, and in this case the literal airbrushing of Soviet images in the 1930s and 1940s

10 videos, 4 readings

Graded: Week 3 Quiz

WEEK 4

Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The Battle of Mogadishu

With respect to Reportage and the use of images as a evidential record, should we condemn Stalin in the last 20th and early 21th century? We use an example from 1993 to illustrate this point.

12 videos, 11 readings

Graded: Week 4: Peer Assessment

Graded: Week 4 Quiz

WEEK 5

The Power of the Image: Mount Suribachi, 1945

The photograph of the raising of the flag at Mt. Suribachi was a Pulitzer Prize winning image, and the base of the film 'The Flag of our Fathers'. We will explore the use of the still and the motion picture to influence our opinion.

11 videos, 8 readings

Graded: Week 5 Quiz

WEEK 6

From Page to Screen: Film as Public History

What is 'Public History'? How do photographs and films with an historical theme shape our awareness of historical events and our memories?

8 videos, 2 readings

Graded: Week 6 Peer Assessment

Graded: Week 6 Quiz

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University of London

The University of London is a federal University which includes 17 world leading Colleges. Our International Programmes were founded in 1858 and have enriched the lives of thousands of students, delivering high quality University of London degrees wherever our students are across the globe. Our alumni include 7 Nobel Prize winners. Today, we are a global leader in distance and flexible study, offering degree programmes to over 50,000 students in over 180 countries. To find out more about studying for one of our degrees where you are, search for 'London International'.

Royal Holloway, University of London

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4 out of 5 of 13 ratings

This course is very informative and structural in learning the relation of films and history.

Fantastic course. I loved the examples of iconic photos which I had seen but now better understand their significance. I hadn't seen many of the Stalin photos, however. Its amazing how politicians can manipulate us ala George Orwell........

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Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies

Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies

Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies