The student understands the ways in which visual images operate in wars, conflict situations, post-conflict situations and peace processes.

The 2015 edition of Visual Peace Research is a RESEARCH SEMINAR in light of new trends in, and new challenges to, photojournalism. The seminar is based on the assumption that traditional photojournalism is in crisis: its aesthetics are exhausted, the extent to which it reaches audiences is limited, and it is facing strong competition from citizen photographers and social media. The course explores such issues as: photojournalism in the digital age; forms and practices of citizen photography, in particular in wars and conflicts; social media and photojournalism; alternative forms of approaching war and security photographically (e.g. aftermath photography); participatory photographic projects; subject positions and responsiveness of audiences; ethical issues in connection with representations of human suffering; peace photography.

A collaborative approach to knowledge production, to be specified at the beginning of the course, will be used.

Enrolment and participation for the course:
Priority is given for the degree students in the Master’s programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research. If places are available, UTA Master's degree students from other programmes and exchange students can be selected to the course.
Prerequisites:
- Master level students who have a very good academic English and good background knowledge in the field of study.

Active participation in lectures and presentation of own papers.

Michael J. Shapiro 1988. The Politics of Representation: Writing Practices in Biography, Photography and Policy Analysis. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, chapter 4.

Alex Danchev 2009. On Art and War and Terror. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press University Press.

Robert Hariman and John Louis Lucaites 2009. No Caption Needed: Iconic Photographs, Public Culture, and Liberal Democracy. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Susan Sontag 2003. Regarding the Pain of Others. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.