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This course surveys the history of photography from its beginnings in the early nineteenth century to the present. We will examine the use of photography for aesthetic, documentary, and “scientific” purposes, stylistic shifts in photography related to aesthetic concerns, and varying interpretations of subject matter based on social and cultural concerns at specific moments in history. We will also consider the relationship between photography and the visual arts in general, which culminates with the primacy of photography as a medium by the late twentieth century.

This course surveys the history of photography from its beginnings in the early nineteenth century to the present. We will examine the use of photography for aesthetic, documentary, and “scientific” purposes, stylistic shifts in photography related to aesthetic concerns, and varying interpretations of subject matter based on social and cultural concerns at specific moments in history. We will also consider the relationship between photography and the visual arts in general, which culminates with the primacy of photography as a medium by the late twentieth century.

As you can see from the College’s description of this course, Perspectives in Literature is “A study of human values in the literature of Western Culture. Readings are organized around the great themes of literature and life, family life, man, woman, and nature of evil, the individual and society, skepticism and faith.” This semester, we’ll explore these themes as they appear in various genres of American and British literature. We will encounter controversial social issues and questions that hounded authors for centuries; through novels, short stories, poetry, a play, and a graphic novel, we’ll examine how people have answered (or not) some of literature’s most persistent questions about science, power, art, love, war, peace, and existence.

As you can see from the College’s description of this course, Perspectives in Literature is “A study of human values in the literature of Western Culture. Readings are organized around the great themes of literature and life, family life, man, woman, and nature of evil, the individual and society, skepticism and faith.” This semester, we’ll explore these themes as they appear in various genres of American and British literature. We will encounter controversial social issues and questions that hounded authors for centuries; through novels, short stories, poetry, a play, and a graphic novel, we’ll examine how people have answered (or not) some of literature’s most persistent questions about science, power, art, love, war, peace, and existence.