This document provides information about an introductory course that examines how images shape cultural perceptions from both historical and modern perspectives. The course will analyze various socio-cultural constructs through critical lenses like Berger's Ways of Seeing and theories about ancient aliens and their influence on human development. Students will explore intersections of religion, mythology, science, and the idea of government cover-ups. They are prompted to write a 3-4 page paper on a work of art or scene from a film, describing it and analyzing how the artist blurs boundaries between life and art or object and behavior, addressing notions of mystification and culture. They must cite references from required course readings.

1. Question:
Consider an artwork, or an artifact from your Hammer and
Fowler museums field
trip or shown in class. In what ways does the artist, blur the
boundaries between “life”
and “art,” “object” and “behavior”? Specifically, explore the
notion of mystification and
how it plays a role in culture and communications in relations to
images.
How, in your opinion, the culture explains the elements that
conform the image?
Can you infer other meanings? Explain
Course Description:
An introductory course to how, from historical and present
perspectives images
mediation shape the perception of social and creative spaces.
We will examine a variety of
socio-cultural constructs through the critical perspectives
offered by Berger’s Ways of Seeing
and Von Daniken’s Chariots of The Gods.
An interdisciplinary theme/issue driven project based course
where first year students look at
how knowledge is created in different disciplines and contexts
through the foundational skills of
inquiry, investigation, and discovery.
Image and Identity; Places and Spaces; Social Impact; and
Sustainability. These are
intentionally broad and accommodate a variety of topics.

2. This class is both an introduction to the cultural role of images
as well as an exploration of the
“Ancient Alien” hypothesis and how it has been approached in
contemporary society. Using
Erich Von Daniken’s writings we will examine the ideas about
plurality of the words, the notion
that extraterrestrial beings had guided human development and
the “evidence” provided through
myth, archeology, literature, and art. Students will explore the
many ways in which religion and
mythology intersect at times agreeing and many times in
disagreement about the role of
supernatural beings in human development. Are these ideas
sound science or pseudo science?
How the mistrust of the government is fuelling a movement that
seems to confront, religion,
myth, science, and government cover-up.
Prompt:
The paper must be computer generated, double spaced, 12 point
font, 1 inch margins,
and must include photographs referred to the photography show
selected, or a description of
the film’s discussed segments.
The paper should be three to four pages and a total of up to
2000 words.
The paper should also include images in addition to the text and
follow the guidelines of visual
literacy.
You will have to choose a work or two by an artist or
photographer, or a scene or two in the film
and describe it. At least one of your sources will be either
Berger’s Ways of Seeing or

3. Benjamin’s The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical
Reproduction (https://www.marxists.org/
reference/subject/philosophy/works/ge/benjamin.htm)
All quotes in the paper must include references to sources and
page number.
The paper should be comprised of a short thesis paragraph
introducing the topic of your choice
and work selected, followed by an analysis with citations and a
final summary or conclusion.