Analysis of Visual and Material Culture
Course code
HIK6006.HT
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Visuaalkultuuri ja materiaalse kultuuri analüüs
Course title in English
Analysis of Visual and Material Culture
ECTS credits
6.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
lecturer of 2026/2027 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Brief description of the course
The course examines how cultural phenomena can be used as a means of reflecting more broadly on general cultural and social issues. Course topics address popular culture, cultural history, aesthetics, philosophy, and related fields. The course alternates between students’ independent work and in-class discussions. Each cultural phenomenon discussed is accompanied by a specific set of questions, which students address in seminars in the form of open discussion. Preparation for each seminar requires a substantial amount of independent work. In some cases, additional recommended materials are also provided.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- explains the central concepts and theoretical approaches in cultural studies covered in the course and uses appropriate theoretical vocabulary when discussing when discussing visual and material culture;
- critically analyses the various media and forms of expression in visual and material culture, linking them to broader themes in cultural theory and wider cultural and social issues;
- explains the specific characteristics of processes of representation, mediation and interpretation across different cultural forms and settings (e.g. visual culture, drama, film, museums, material culture and public space) and selects relevant concepts and sources from cultural studies for their analysis;
- compares cultural phenomena from Estonia and other cultural contexts and explains international cultural connections and transfers within the Estonian cultural context while substantiating observations with examples and literature covered in the course.
- explains the central concepts and theoretical approaches in cultural studies covered in the course and uses appropriate theoretical vocabulary when discussing when discussing visual and material culture;
- critically analyses the various media and forms of expression in visual and material culture, linking them to broader themes in cultural theory and wider cultural and social issues;
- explains the specific characteristics of processes of representation, mediation and interpretation across different cultural forms and settings (e.g. visual culture, drama, film, museums, material culture and public space) and selects relevant concepts and sources from cultural studies for their analysis;
- compares cultural phenomena from Estonia and other cultural contexts and explains international cultural connections and transfers within the Estonian cultural context while substantiating observations with examples and literature covered in the course.
Teacher
Margaret Tali
Prerequisite course 1
Prerequisite course 2
Study programmes containing that course