SOC4057 Visual SociologyBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
SOC4057 Visual Sociology Spring 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Prof. Dr. AYŞE NİLÜFER NARLI
Recommended Optional Program Components: "."
Course Objectives: -To introduce the use of visual media for qualitative research methods
-To develop a critical understanding for analysing visual media
-To use/make short documentary films and photos for research purposes
-To analyze how sociocultural conditions influence creation, distribution and interpretation of visual media
-To develop qualitative research skills

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
Students will be able to,
1)Use visual materials for research purposes
2)Make short films (documentary)and photos
3)Develop an analytical thinking for the active role of photography and film to analyse social formations
4)Examine and analyze sociological formations through visual media

Course Content

Visual Sociology course aims to develop necessary skills to analyse and use visual media for sociological research. In this course, students are introduced several ways of conducting a qualitative social research using visual methods, as well as how to select and analyze different forms of visual works. Visual Sociology course offers various means to visualize, interpret and represent dynamics of society and social problems. In that sense, after covering basic theories on the use of visual media for sociological research, students will focus on analysis and production of still photographs, short documentaries and web page designs/blogs. Students are required to prepare Visual Sociology Projects combining written and visual work on the topics assigned or chosen.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the course Basic Concepts “Visual Sociology, Documentary Photography, and Photojournalism” Telling About Society, H.S. Becker, pp. 186-203.
2) Visual Data & Visual Theory “Visible materials, visualised theory and images of social research” Visual Studies (2006) Vol. 21, No.1, Jon Wagner, pp. 55-69 “The Status of Image-based Research” Jon Prosser, Image – based Research: A Sourcebook for Qualitative Researchers pp.97-112. “Visual Sociology Reframed: An Analytical Synthesis and Discussion of Visual Methods in Social and Cultural Research”, Sociological Methods & Research (2010) 38(4) Luc Pauwels, pp. 545-581.
3) Planing A Visual Research & Ethical Issues “The Visual Ethnography: Photography, Video, Cultures and Individuals” Doing Visual Ethnography. S. Pink. pp. 17-29 “Planning and Practicing Visual Methods: Appropriate Uses and Ethical Issues” Doing Visual Ethnography. S. Pink. pp. 30-46 “Photo-documenting the needle exchange: methods and ethics” D. Barret. Visual Studies 19(2), 2004
4) Photography & Sociology 1 Assignment 1: Picturing “Urban Space/Identities”, displaying pictures in blogs & writing comments to peers. “Two Dimentional Visual Data: Images, Signs and Representations” Researching the Visual, M. Emmison & P. Smith, pp. 57-106. “All Photos Lie” B.M. Goldstein, Visual Research Methods. pp. 61-81. “Photography and Sociology” Doing Things Together, H.S. Becker, pp. 223-271. “The photo-survey research method: capturing life in the city” Visual Studies Vol. 23 (2008)
5) Photography & Sociology 2 Assignment 2: Photo Essay: Documentary Photography versus The Analysis of Existing Images. (Topic: Specific Groups / Subculture) “Photography in Ethnographic Research” Doing Visual Ethnography. S. Pink. pp. 49-76 “Documentary Photography, Fieldwork, and Social Research” Jon Wagner, Visual Research Methods (pp. 23-60).
6) Photography & Methodological Issues 1 : Photo-Elicitation Method Assignment 3: Photo-Elicitation Midterm “Using Photography in Studies of Immigrant Communities” Stephen J. Gold, Visual Research Methods (pp. 141-166) “Inner – city Children in Sharper Focus: Sociology of Childhood” Marisol Clark Ibanez, Visual Research Methods (pp. 167-196)
7) Photography & Methodological Issues 2 : Photo-Diary Interview Method Assignment 4: Article Review (Group Work) “Researching and Writing Everyday Accounts of the City” Picturing the Social Landscape. C. Knowles, P. Sweetman.. pp. 117-132. “The Visual & The Verbal: The Interaction of Images and Discussion in Exploring Cultural Change” Picturing the Social Landscape. C. Knowles, P. Sweetman pp. 166-178. “Signs of Resistance: Marking Public Space Through a Renewed Cultural Activism” Emmanuel A David Visual Research Methods (pp. 225-254) “Participatory Photo Interview” Bettina Kolb Forum: Qualitative Social Research” Vol 9 (3) 2008.
8) Video & Sociology 1 Short Documentary Screening 1: Silikozis (E. Özgüvenç, 2009) “Video in Ethnographic Research” Doing Visual Ethnography. S. Pink. pp. 77-85.
9) Video & Methodological Issues : Video Diaries Short Documentary Screening 2: 4857 (E. Özgüvenç, 2008) “Performances, Confessions, and Identities Using Video Diaries to Research Sexualities” Ruth Holliday, Visual Research Methods (pp. 225-254) “Walking with Video” S. Pink. Visual Studies Vol. 22(3) 2007.
10) Video & Sociology 2 Assignment 5: Shooting 5 min. Social Documentary “The Symbolism of Video” G. Stanczak. Visual Research Methods. pp. 281-307. “Website Design: The Precarious Blend of Narrative, Aesthetics, and Social Theory” Stephen Papson et.al. Visual Research Methods. pp 307-345. “Spatial Montage and Multimedia Ethnography: Using Computers to Visualise Aspects of Migration and Social Division Among a Displaced Community” Judith Aston. Forum: Qualitative Social Research. Vol 11(2), 2010.
11) Web Pages as Visual Data “Website Design: The Precarious Blend of Narrative, Aesthetics, and Social Theory” Stephen Papson et.al. Visual Research Methods. pp 307-345. “Spatial Montage and Multimedia Ethnography: Using Computers to Visualise Aspects of Migration and Social Division Among a Displaced Community” Judith Aston. Forum: Qualitative Social Research. Vol 11(2), 2010.
12) Visual Research Design Discussions Students’ Short Documentary Screening Review
13) Visual Sociology Project and oral presentataion Design & Conduct a Visual Sociology Research 1
14) Visual Sociology Project and orasl presentation Design & Conduct a Visual Sociology Research 2

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: SOC4057 Görsel Sosyoloji Kitapçığı

Stanczak, Gregory C. (2007). Visual Resarch Methods – Image, Society and Representation. USA: Sage Publication

Visual Sociology Project 1 : Documentary Photography versus The Analysis of Existing Images Project

Visual Sociology Project 2: Photo-Elicitation Project
Browne, M. Neil and Stuart M. Keeley. 2004. Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. 7th edition or newer.
References: SOC4057 Visual Sociology Coursebooklet

Stanczak, Gregory C. (2007). Visual Resarch Methods – Image, Society and Representation. USA: Sage Publication

Visual Sociology Project 1 : Documentary Photography versus The Analysis of Existing Images Project

Visual Sociology Project 2: Photo-Elicitation Project
Browne, M. Neil and Stuart M. Keeley. 2004. Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. 7th edition or newer.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 10
Field Work 1 % 10
Homework Assignments 5 % 10
Presentation 1 % 10
Midterms 1 % 20
Final 1 % 40
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 60
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 40
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Field Work 1 10 10
Study Hours Out of Class 14 3 42
Presentations / Seminar 1 10 10
Homework Assignments 5 4 20
Midterms 1 2 2
Final 1 2 2
Total Workload 128

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Setting up various spaces in national and international contexts, carrying out designs, planning and applications that could satisfy various user groups and respond various requirements in the field of Interior Architecture,
2) Analyzing the information gathered from the framework of actual physical, social and economical constraints and user requirements, and synthesizing these with diverse knowledge and considerations in order to create innovative spatial solutions,
3) Generating creative, innovative, aesthetic and unique spatial solutions by using tangible and abstract concepts,
4) Using at least one of the illustration and presentation technologies competently, that the field of interior architecture requires,
5) Reporting, presenting and transferring the design, practice and research studies to the specialists or laymen by using visual, textual or oral communication methods, efficiently and accurately,
6) Embracing and prioritizing man-environment relationships, user health, safety and security, and universal design principles in the field of interior architecture,
7) Design understanding and decision making that respects social and cultural rights of the society, cultural heritage and nature,
8) Being aware of national and international values, following developments and being equipped about ethical and aesthetical subjects in the fields of interior architecture, design and art,
9) Having absolute conscious about legal regulations, standards and principles; and realizing professional ethics, duties and responsibilities in the field of Interior Architecture,