This short history course is an introduction to use of images and other media as historical evidence in the twentieth century, issues of authenticity and manipulation, and the place of film and historical adoptions as public history.
Week 1: The Camera Never Lies - Introduction
Week 2: Images and History in the Twentieth Century
Week 3: The Air-Brushing of History: Stalin and Falsification
Week 4: Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability - The Battle of Mogadishu
Week 5: The Power of the Image - Mount Suribachi, 1945
Week 6: From Page to Screen - Film as Public History
No prior knowledge or study of history is required. Royal Holloway has a speciality in public history, including a dedicated MA in the subject. Students are encouraged to explore the relationship between scholarly history and representations of historical events in the media, and this course follow this ethos.
To give a background perspective to the course, participants may wish to
Marien, M. W. Photography: A Cultural History, 4th Edn. 2014.
(The earlier editions – from 2002, 2006 and 20010 – can also be used.)
The course will cover the following subjects:
Images and History in the Twentieth Century
Jacobson, C. (ed.) Underexposed: Pictures of the 20th Century They Didn't Want You to See. 2002
The Air-Brushing of History: Stalin and Falsification
King, D. The Commissar Vanishes: The Falsification of Photographs and Art in Stalin’s Russia. 1997.
Photojournalism, Authenticity and Matters of Public Acceptability: The
Battle of Mogadishu
Bowden, M. Black Hawk Down. 1999.
Scott, R. (dir). Black Hawk Down. 2001.
The Power of the Image: Mount Suribachi, 1945
Bradley, James and Ron Powers. Flags Of Our Fathers . 2006.
Kakehashi, Kumiko. Letters From Iwo Jima. 2007.
From Page to Screen: Film as Public History
Eastwood, C. (dir). Flags Of Our Fathers. 2006; and Letters From Iwo Jima. 2006.
Unfortunately, the Jacobson and King have been out of print for a little while now; but we will try to introduce you to as much of the material as we can during the course.
Course materials will be written up in the form of an introductory talk, followed by reflective tasks, video clips, and internet links to augment the seminar materials.