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Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 21 hours
  • Course by University of London
  • Offered by

About

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.

Modules

Introduction

    • 7 Videos
    • 8 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 1 Quiz

1 Discussions

  • Week 1 - Reflective Task

7 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Use of Images
  • Manipulation
  • The Image in Politics
  • Advertising
  • Reportage (Reporting the News)
  • Optional Extra Material - other forms of images - Guernica

8 Readings

  • The Camera Never Lies - Course Information
  • Aims and Objectives
  • The Use of Images
  • Manipulation
  • The Image in Politics
  • Advertising
  • Reportage
  • Optional Extra Information - Guernica

Images and History in the Twentieth Century

    • 8 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 2 Quiz

2 Discussions

  • Week 2: Reflective Task 1
  • Week 2: Reflective Task 2

8 Videos

  • Introduction part 1
  • Hitler
  • The Boer War
  • The Civil Rights Movement
  • Vietnam
  • The Blitz part 1
  • The Blitz part 2
  • Optional Extra Material - The London Riots 2011

6 Readings

  • Adolf Hitler
  • The Boer War
  • The US Civil Rights Movement
  • Vietnam
  • The Blitz
  • Optional Extra Reading - The London Riots 2011

The Air-Brushing of History: Stalin and Falsification

    • 10 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 3 Quiz

2 Discussions

  • Week 3: Reflective Task
  • Conclusion - Reflective Task

10 Videos

  • Introduction
  • The Soviet Union
  • Soviet Union under Stalin
  • The Image as Propaganda
  • Falsification
  • Conclusion
  • Optional Extra Material - Films with historical themes
  • Optional Extra Material: Film - The Damned United
  • Optional Extra Material: Film - In the Name of the Father
  • Optional Extra Material: Final Thoughts

4 Readings

  • Introduction
  • The Soviet and Stalin Lectures
  • Falsification
  • Optional Extra Material: Films with historical themes

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

    • 12 Videos
    • 11 Readings
    • 3 Discussion
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 4 Quiz

1 Peer Review

  • Week 4: Peer Assessment

3 Discussions

  • Week 4: Reflective Task 1
  • Reflective Task
  • Week 4: Reflective Task 2

12 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Death of Margaret Thatcher
  • Black Hawk Down
  • The Day of the Ranger: Aftermath
  • Black Hawk Down and 9/11 Media Reportage
  • Black Hawk Down - The Website
  • The Image
  • Interview
  • UN and the USA in Somalia: Historical Context
  • The Somalian Civil War: Historical Context
  • Optional Extra Material - Interview with Niko: Real-Time Editorial Decision – The Boston Marathon Bombing
  • Optional Extra Material - Image in the Context of Gender Studies

11 Readings

  • Introduction Information - Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The Battle of Mogadishu
  • Death of Margaret Thatcher - Information
  • Black Hawk Down – Information
  • The Day of the Ranger: Aftermath - Information
  • Media Reportage - Images and information
  • Black Hawk Down: The Website - Information
  • The Image - Information
  • Interview - Information
  • The UN and the USA in Somalia: Historical Context
  • The Somalian Civil War: Historical Context - Information
  • Optional Extra Reading: Interview with Niko: Real-Time Editorial Decision: The Boston Marathon Bombing - Information

The Power of the Image: Mount Suribachi, 1945

    • 11 Videos
    • 8 Readings
    • 2 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 5 Quiz

2 Discussions

  • Week 5: Reflective Task 1
  • Week 5: Reflective Task 2

11 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Background to the Battle
  • Loss of Life
  • Importance of Iwo Jima
  • Did you pose that?
  • The Photos
  • The 'Gung-Ho' Shot
  • The 7th War Bond Drive
  • The Stamp and After
  • Ending the Pacific War
  • Interview - Reflections on Iwo Jima

8 Readings

  • Background to the Battle
  • Loss of Life - Information
  • Importance of Iwo Jima - Information
  • The Photos and 5.6 'Did you pose that?'
  • The 'Gung-Ho' shot; and Interpretation of the Main Image - Information Reading
  • The 7th War Bond Drive - Information
  • The Stamp and After - Information
  • Ending the Pacific War - Information

From Page to Screen: Film as Public History

    • 8 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 PeerReview
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Week 6 Quiz

1 Peer Review

  • Week 6 Peer Assessment

8 Videos

  • Introduction
  • Approach to study
  • Flags of Our Fathers: The Book and Film as Public History
  • Letters from Iwo Jima
  • Academic critiques
  • An Honourable Suicide
  • Interview with Julio Etchart: America's Other 9/11
  • Final Thoughts (MOOC wrap up)

2 Readings

  • Week 6 reading part 1- Reading
  • Flags of Our Fathers: The Book and Film as Public History - Information

Auto Summary

Explore the use of images and film in historical interpretation with "Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies." This foundational Arts & Humanities course, offered by Coursera, delves into photojournalism and historical films, teaching you to appreciate, understand, and critically analyze photographs as historical evidence. Perfect for history enthusiasts, this 1260-minute course offers insights into image manipulation and context. Available via Starter and Professional subscriptions, it's led by expert instructors to ensure a comprehensive learning experience.

Dr Emmett Sullivan
Instructors

Dr Emmett Sullivan

Dilara Scholz
Instructors

Dilara Scholz