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Back to Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies by University of London

4.6
stars
352 ratings

About the Course

This course is a short taster on the topic of the use of Images, Film, and their use in historical interpretation in the 20th century. It is primarily provided for those who have a general interest in history that draws on photojournalism as primary evidence, and films based on historical events. Once you have completed this course we hope you will be equipped to: Appreciate the significance of photographs as historical evidence in the twentieth century. Understand the limitations of the medium, and how we can attribute meaning to these individual records of 'one moment in time' while taking into account the circumstances in which any particular image was taken. Understand how individuals and institutions have looked to manipulate images to their own ends – through alteration and/or censorship – and what that meant to contemporary interpretation, as well as subsequent historical interpretation. Put individual images into a wider context, and in particular with reference to history written, or portrayed, beyond academia: public history. Do be aware that part of the contents of this course regard images and depiction of war. Real wars and real images....

Top reviews

MS

Jun 5, 2020

This course provides students with the tools they need to analyse and understand visual history along with its deceiving nature that derived from the very character of film properties.

DT

May 18, 2021

It is a very informative course for history enthusiasts. It encourages critical thinking and interpretation of history in a unique way. I enjoyed and learned a lot in the 6 weeks.

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26 - 50 of 122 Reviews for Film, Images & Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies

By Anabel S d G

Sep 14, 2017

Highly recommended. I enjoyed revisiting important parts of History through iconic photographs and learning to look at them from a critical and analytical point of view. Mr. Sullivan was great in his lectures and the assignments were insightful. It was hard but well schedule. Many thanks

By David

Oct 13, 2021

This is an excellent course cutting across the 20th century's photographic highlights with candor, poignant questions, and provocative accounts of photos and how the manipulation of photos impacts the viewer and the perceptual history associated with photos of people, places and events.

By Marieta C

Jan 22, 2021

An amazing experience and a scenic journey into history! The course teaches one to look and really see, it’s both informative and interesting, the reference material ( additional reading) though ( that’s my only “ remark” ) contains some corrupt ( expired) links.

Highly recommend

By Tanya E Q

Oct 15, 2020

I loved the course. I´m a photography enthusiast and also interested in History, so the course provided me a another point of view related to the importance of using images as a historical source and all the implications. Thank you and congratulations for this wonderful c

By Sue C

Sep 20, 2021

A very well taught course, with the Lecturer obviously passionate and knowledgeable. Engaging topics, relevant reading material and well thought out quizzes and assessments. Thanks Coursera. I am now looking for other courses using film and image to explain topics.

By Priyam G

Dec 5, 2020

Emmett Sullivan is a legend. This course was a huge eye-opener and has provided me with a much larger scope for media research. It was a treat to listen to him as well as all the insightful interviews. Thank you for organizing this course, keep up the great work!

By ISABELLE M

Oct 2, 2020

This was an amazing experience and I have never enjoyed something so much. Kudos to Dr. Emmett Sullivan for making this such a memorable experience. Really loved your perspective and how you gave way for a more clearer understanding of history through the camera.

By Maria F M

Nov 10, 2020

I enjoyed every bit of the course! It has been awesome to have a more direct look on the possible political usage of photography and other images, and how these forms of disseminating information play a key role in the study and general understanding of History.

By Paul S

May 4, 2021

Excellent and enjoyable course. Knowledgeable and enthusastic lecturer. The course material appears to have been created in 2013 so some of the URLs that are included do need updating: some resources are either no longer available or are redirected.

By Pedro J d A M

Jul 18, 2020

The lessons and the course material are amazing. Dr Emmet's teachings goes beyond expectations with deep, scrutinized lessons. For people who work in the media , or just interested in photography, the course is a must! I definitely recommend it.

By JOHN Q

Feb 13, 2017

Fantastic course. I loved the examples of iconic photos which I had seen but now better understand their significance. I hadn't seen many of the Stalin photos, however. Its amazing how politicians can manipulate us ala George Orwell........

By Shashank V

Jun 20, 2022

outstanding in terms of understanding the topic. Very well designed course and Quiz material to make sure you learn things properly. It is classes with combination of creative sattisfaction interma of work in peer assesment exercise...

By Ayla T

Sep 14, 2020

Thank you so much for this modern history and media relations course. It provided insight into understanding what is happening in the media's backyard and It's very inspired. I think I'll benefit a lot in my next works. Much obliged

By София Ш

Jun 21, 2022

This course expands knowledge and understanding of social history and war films and photographs. Thanks to online classes, many social events become clear. The course contains important and meaningful information.

By Mardohar B B S

Jun 6, 2020

This course provides students with the tools they need to analyse and understand visual history along with its deceiving nature that derived from the very character of film properties.

By Felipe d J D H

May 3, 2021

A very interesting and engaging program, for a better understanding of the role an image (photography, film, propaganda) plays in the context of historical studies and interpretation.

By divyanshi t

May 19, 2021

It is a very informative course for history enthusiasts. It encourages critical thinking and interpretation of history in a unique way. I enjoyed and learned a lot in the 6 weeks.

By Mireya M O B

May 5, 2021

En general muy bueno todo, el enfoque desde la perspectiva de material audiovisual genera más atracción al los estudiantes, muy agradecida por haber recibido este curso.

By Nandini G

Dec 30, 2021

The course, it enabled me to develop a sharper understanding of photographs and films as public history. I really enjoyed the peer graded assignments.

By Yumiko K

Dec 31, 2023

The historical events of the lecture series hold considerable importance. I was exposed to many lectures, texts, and articles. Thank you very much.

By NEDRET K

Dec 30, 2020

An amazingly valuable course, creating the deepest insights for the history of world as well as films, images and photography...

Thanks Mr Sullivan

By Ana C d O

May 4, 2020

I really enjoyed the course! It gives a good overview of history and, mainly, about the use of photography and image in the historical context.

By Наталья А

Jun 9, 2021

Excellent, deep course!! Interesting materials, links, practical orientation - these are the main advantages of the course! Thank you!

By VALERIA V M R

Jul 12, 2021

Interesting, beautiful, and some time overwhelming... makes you think in the power of the images, in the history as the human memory

By Thaniyatul J S

Aug 24, 2020

It's very informative and educative. I've a lot of new knowledge from this course. Thank you coursera for this platform to learn.