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SOCI-223 Visual Sociology: Consumer Technology
Fall only
This course will focus on the visual dimensions of social life. It will explore society, how we represent ourselves and our social world visually, and furthermore investigate how innovative 21st century technology is transforming contemporary social life. We don't just use technology, “we live with it” which greatly influences society, lifestyles, global business relationships, culture, and social progress.
Our scholarly journey will explore methodologies and theories applicable to the analysis of all kinds of visual texts from films, advertisements, television and new digital media.
We will examine new and emerging debates on visual literacy, the sociological consequences of technology, and explore how meaning is both made and transmitted in an increasingly visual world and the complex relationship embedded in the social construction of technology.
This is an exciting course and will give you an intellectual overview of the main issues and topics relevant to the impact and consumption of 21st century technology on social life as we explore our representation as individuals and social groups in visual forms in the cultural, political, economic and social realm as well as emotional and intellectual, aspects of our interactions with technology. (E.g. Digital cameras, camera phones, Video iPod, Wii, Facebook, Myspace, Skype, Match.com, YouTube, Blogs etc.)
We will analyze the intended effects and unintended effects of technology and how new technologies challenge or re-enforce social stratification in regards to race, class, gender, age, disability, and sexuality.
The benefits of this course are wide-ranging. Not only will you gain an understanding of visual sociology, but also engage in critical thinking about the complexity of visual images and become more aware of the social forces that shape your orientation and view of the world.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
Course syllabi
The following syllabi may help you learn more about this course (login required):
Fall '09:
Schiwietz, Christine
(file download)
Additional syllabi may be available in prior academic years.
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Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:
More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.
The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.
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