ABOUT
Prof. Gabriel Greenberg [[email protected]]
Philosophy 138: Visual Representation (UCLA)
When: T/Th 12:30-1:45 (PST), Fall 2024
Where: Zoom link here. 
Office hours: W 12:30-1:30 (PST), Zoom link here.
Course policies + grading: here.

THEME
This course examines the meaning of visual signs, through the lens of philosophy, cognitive science, and social science.  In Part I, we'll focus on the the roots of depiction in visual perception.  In Part II, we examine the relationship between pictures, truth, and knowledge.  In Part III, we'll look at the role of pictures in modern society and in the exercise of power.

REQUIREMENTS

See course policies for grading breakdown.
  1. Participation: Every class: participation in discussion, with video on.
  2. Reading question: Every class: prepare three reading questions.
  3. Presentation: Once: prepare an interesting image for discussion.
  4. Assignment 1: Short illustrated paper (~1500 words / 5 pages).
  5. ​Assignment 2: Longer multi-media project (equivalent to ~4000 words / 12 pages).

SYLLABUS 
Subject to revision!  Please refresh regularly.
Readings must be completed before class on the day they are due.

PART I: PICTURES & PERCEPTION

W1.1: Light into paint
10.1 - Tues
Handout

Reading: ​
W1.2: Seeing-in
10.3 - Thurs
Handout

Reading: 
  • ​Wollheim 1984 "Painting as an art"
  • Focus questions:
    • What is the concept of "seeing-in"?
    • What role is played by the "standard of correctness"?
    • Which is primary, representation or seeing-in?
W2.1: Beyond mimesis
​10.8 - Tues
Handout

Reading: 
  • ​Goodman 1968 "Reality remade" [1-20]
  • Focus questions:​
    • What is wrong with the "imitation theory" of representation?
    • What is the myth of the "innocent eye"?
    • What does Goodman say about Gibson's optical theory?
W2.2: Depiction-as
10.10 - Thurs
Reading:
  • ​Goodman 1968 "Reality remade" [21-41]​
  • Focus questions:
    • When does a picture denote an X?
    • When is a picture an X-picture?
    • What is "realism" in depiction?
W3.1: Perspective
​10.15 - Tues
Reading: 
W3.2: Systems of space
10.17 - Thurs
Reading: 
W4.1: Systems of line
10.22 - Tues
Reading: 
W4.2: Non-western and indigenous art
​10.24 - Thurs
Reading: 

PART II: PICTURES, TRUTH, & KNOWLEDGE

W5.1: Can pictures lie?
10.19 - Tues
W5.2: Pictorial truth
10.31 - Thurs
11.5 - Mon: Assignment 1 DUE: Short paper with illustrations
W6.1: Photography as perception
11.5 - Tues
W6.2: AI Art
11.7 - Thurs
W7.1: Drawing as cognition
11.11 - Tues

PART II: PICTURES & POWER

W7.2: Ideology in pictures (Barthes)
11.14 - Thurs
W8.1: Pictures, capital, and the male gaze (Berger)
11.18 - Tues
W8.2: Photography in society (Sontag)
11.21 - Tues
W9.1: Maps and empire (Harley)
11.26 - Tues
W9.2:
11.28 - [NO CLASS]
W10.1: Maps and power (Wood)
12.2 - Tues
W10.2: Pictures and political emotions
12.5 - Tues
12.9 - Mon: Assignment 2 DUE: Longer project
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