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

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

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.

Status: World History
Status: Public History
BeginnerCourse22 hours

Featured reviews

JJ

4.0Reviewed Mar 24, 2021

An informative course that made me think about the use of images in everything from newspapers to propaganda shorts to history books. Would highly recommend.

DT

5.0Reviewed 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.

JM

4.0Reviewed Oct 19, 2020

My only concern is that some reading materials are not accessible, but other than that, everything is great.

NG

5.0Reviewed 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.

AG

5.0Reviewed Jun 17, 2017

This course is very informative and structural in learning the relation of films and history.

DW

5.0Reviewed Apr 23, 2021

Excellent course, learn a great deal about the subject in a short time. This course and the program are great for those who strive to be life long learners.

AT

5.0Reviewed Aug 1, 2017

This is an excellent course and I have really enjoyed it. The topics covered are diverse and the course has provided me with several areas for further independent research.

ER

5.0Reviewed Aug 24, 2020

Interesting subject and enjoyable time learning. I just realized how much I love learning. Thank you for this wonderful experience.

JM

5.0Reviewed May 6, 2020

Excellent very interesting course and a great course leader Dr Emmett Sullivan well worth spending time on this.

GS

4.0Reviewed Apr 7, 2023

The only issues I faced was that the links sometimes didn't work properly & there was a delay in getting some peer reviews assignment

MS

5.0Reviewed 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.

NA

5.0Reviewed Nov 14, 2021

The course is absolutely amazing. really knowledgable thank you for the information.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 135

Angela Thurstance
5.0
Reviewed Aug 1, 2017
Dee lieta
4.0
Reviewed Nov 15, 2020
Edyta Roman
5.0
Reviewed Aug 25, 2020
Anamika Purohit
4.0
Reviewed Jun 8, 2020
Pol Masip Trullols
4.0
Reviewed Feb 7, 2019
Audrey Lejeune
4.0
Reviewed Dec 27, 2017
Olga Eller
4.0
Reviewed Jan 23, 2018
Diane Yale Peabody
3.0
Reviewed Aug 21, 2022
Alan Renner
3.0
Reviewed Apr 13, 2017
Gustavo Malta de Amorim
1.0
Reviewed Jun 10, 2019
Millie Winter
5.0
Reviewed Jul 15, 2020
David Wallace
5.0
Reviewed Apr 24, 2021
Mariana Huerta Lledias
5.0
Reviewed Mar 3, 2020
Akhil Mandava
5.0
Reviewed Feb 6, 2020
Josep E
4.0
Reviewed Jan 27, 2021
EK Keratsis
4.0
Reviewed Oct 5, 2020
Ana Manuella Viegas
4.0
Reviewed Jun 12, 2020
Carly Zimmerman
4.0
Reviewed Dec 13, 2019
Paulo Jorge Alves Guinote
4.0
Reviewed Mar 18, 2020
Elena
4.0
Reviewed Apr 11, 2020