Cultura Visual (FLUL)

2.º Semestre 2025/2026

Sumários

Thinking about Visual Culture

12 Fevereiro 2026, 15:30 • Ana Rita Martins

Thinking about Visual Culture: Warm-up Activities

  • Think-Pair-Share Activities: How can we define visual culture?
  • Criteria used in our definitions/decisions
  • Artwork Analysis

Introductions. Course Calendar & syllabus

10 Fevereiro 2026, 15:30 • Ana Rita Martins

VISUAL CULTURE

2025/2026 – Second Semester

1. Objectives

This course focuses on the visual experience, as it shapes our sense of identity, history and social relations. As such, it is geared toward building a toolbox through which students can:

  1. explore theoretical approaches to the study of Visual Culture;
  2. outline the historical and sociocultural context of the production, circulation and reception of visual representations;
  3. develop critical visual literacy, which may be understood as the development of critical inquiry and thinking about images and objects, as well as their media;
  4. examine the rhetorical dimension of visual representations and practices;
  5. consider the relationship between visual and written texts;
  6. analyse comics and graphic novels as complex visual/textual forms;
  7. critically assess the impact of digital media.

2. Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Critically analyse visual culture using appropriate theoretical and methodological tools;
  • Demonstrate advanced visual literacy across multiple media and contexts;
  • Understand images as culturally and politically active forms of communication;
  • Produce and present integrated visual/textual analyses collaboratively;
  • Reflect critically on their role as viewers, interpreters, and producers of visual culture.

3. Assessment and Grading System

Assessment will be continuous and will rely on two essential pedagogical approaches: active learning techniques and task-based learning (TBL). Therefore, students are expected to attend all classes[1] and to complete both assignments prior to class and perform a variety of in-class activities (both written and oral).  

The assessment criteria are as follows:                  

  • Visual/Text Hybrid Project (total):                25%   
    • Proposal:        5%
    • Delivery:         20%
  • Critical Looking Tasks (total):                       60%
    • o   Task 1:           15%
    • o   Task 2:           20%
    • o   Task 3 (in-house):     25%
  • Attendance & Participation:                           15%

3. Assessment and Grading System

3.1. Assessment Dates

3.1.1. Date for proposal submission:   March 26              

3.1.2. Dates for the delivery of the Visual/Text Hybrid Project: see Register                  

3.1.3. Dates for Critical Looking Tasks: 

    • Task 1:                         March 12
    • Task 2:                         April 14
    • Task 3 (in-house):     May 14

4. Bibliography

Course materials (book chapters, articles, news stories, and so on) are available online.

Key texts:

Rose, Gillian (2016). Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to Researching with Visual Materials. 4th edn. Sage.

Storey, John (2009). Cultural Theory and Popular Culture. An Introduction. Fifth Edition. Pearson.

Sturken, Marita & Cartwright Lisa (2018). “Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture. 3rd edn. Oxford University Press.

Walker, John A. & Sarah Chaplin (2009). Visual Culture. An Introduction. Manchester University Press.

5. Classroom Policies*

The following guidelines aim to create a structured and respectful learning environment. They outline expected behaviors, responsibilities, and procedures that help:

  • provide clear expectations for behavior;
  • create a safe and conducive learning environment; 
  • maintain order and help prevent disruptive behavior; 
  • encourage participation in the rule-setting process; 
  • foster a sense of ownership and responsibility; 
  • promote a positive classroom culture that enhances academic success.
* Check Classroom Policies on Moodle.

Introduction

10 Fevereiro 2026, 11:00 • Marzia D'Amico

The first lecture was devoted to establishing the learning agreement with students, explaining the assessment methods (written and oral), and discussing both the instructor’s and the students’ expectations regarding the course. It concluded with a brief conversation on general visual culture, starting from the televised Super Bowl event featuring Bad Bunny and its cultural impact.