Course Contemporary image theories: creation, circulation and use of images today

Course description

The course introduces and discusses contemporary image theories related to the appearance, circulation, and operation of images today. In 2025, most image practices (including those involving historical, physical images) are deeply entangled with algorithmic networks and operations involving AI. Examples span from cameras automatically ‘improving’ the photographic results over video revivals of historical figures via generative AI to museum paintings being x-rayed by conservators and SoMe-shared, liked and commented on by visitors, to mention only a few. The course focuses on contemporary image theories relevant for comprehending and analyzing image practices today, and on linking theory to participants’ own PhD projects.  

Aim/Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to further develop participants’ knowledge of cultural/aesthetic theories on image practices. Participants will gain insights into different contemporary image theories, they will train their ability to select image theoretical points of view specifically relevant to their own PhD project, and they will start integrating relevant theoretical insights into their project in well-informed, analytically fruitful and critical manners. 

Target group/Participants

The course welcomes PhD students in all stages of their PhD, whose project involves consideration of images (still and/or moving). This could include – but is not limited to – art, commercials, photography, surveillance, paintings, SoMe, technical images, news imagery etc. The course is set in the humanities and considers contemporary image practices from cultural and aesthetic points of view (e.g.: art history, media studies, cultural studies, artistic practices etc.) but PhD students from social, technical, or natural sciences seeking knowledge of cultural/aesthetic theoretical approaches to images are warmly welcome.   

Workload

• Course/ teaching hours: 14
• Preparation hours: 35
• Written assignments etc.: short, informal paper (3-5 pages)

Language 

• English

Lecturers

• Liv Hausken, professor with the Department of Media and Communication, University in Oslo
• Lotte Philipsen, associate professor with Department of Art History, Aesthetics & Culture and Museology, Aarhus University 
• Leonardo Impett, Research Group Leader at the Bibliotheca Hertziana, Assistant Professor in Digital Humanities at the Faculty of English, University of Cambridge, and Bye-Fellow in Digital Humanities at Selwyn College, Cambridge

Literature

To be distributed after the application deadline.

Venue

• Aarhus University (room TBA)

Course dates:

• 07 October 2025 11:00 - 17:00
• 08 October 2025 09:00 - 17:00