Ideological Criticism
Class
Article
Graduation Year
2017
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
Languages, Philosophy and Communication Studies Department
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Abstract
Living in America, it can be difficult to truly relate to the pain and suffering of the world’s refugees. “Thirteen and a half million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance due to a violent civil war that began in 2011” (Syrian refugee crisis FAQ: What you need to know, 2016). In this essay, I examine a photograph of Pope Francis on the island of Lesbos, Greece, announcing that he is taking nine adults and three children refugees back to Rome with him for a fresh start at life. An examination of this photo provides insight into how images can support different ideologies, or worldviews, and how they can influence the perception of the image’s audience. In order to understand how images support certain ideologies, in this case, a view of refugees as women and children being forced to leave their country to escape violence rather than being a threat to a destination country. The method of ideological criticism was used to explore the research question because it helps us recognize what the artifact, in this case a photograph, asks the audience to believe, think, or feel. In the analysis of this image, I found that the visual characteristics of the photo leads an audience to articulate allusions, ideas, or concepts– these allusions are called “suggested elements.” The suggested elements from this photo are sorted into five specific categories: Oppression, unity, hope, new beginnings, and making history. Through these suggested elements, one can explore the constructed reality of communitarianism found within the photograph.
Bibliography
Syrian refugee crisis FAQ: What you need to know. (2016, November 15). Retrieved from https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syria-refugee-crisis-faq-war-affecting-children
Location
Room 101
Start Date
4-13-2017 3:00 PM
End Date
4-13-2017 4:15 PM
Ideological Criticism
Room 101
Abstract
Living in America, it can be difficult to truly relate to the pain and suffering of the world’s refugees. “Thirteen and a half million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance due to a violent civil war that began in 2011” (Syrian refugee crisis FAQ: What you need to know, 2016). In this essay, I examine a photograph of Pope Francis on the island of Lesbos, Greece, announcing that he is taking nine adults and three children refugees back to Rome with him for a fresh start at life. An examination of this photo provides insight into how images can support different ideologies, or worldviews, and how they can influence the perception of the image’s audience. In order to understand how images support certain ideologies, in this case, a view of refugees as women and children being forced to leave their country to escape violence rather than being a threat to a destination country. The method of ideological criticism was used to explore the research question because it helps us recognize what the artifact, in this case a photograph, asks the audience to believe, think, or feel. In the analysis of this image, I found that the visual characteristics of the photo leads an audience to articulate allusions, ideas, or concepts– these allusions are called “suggested elements.” The suggested elements from this photo are sorted into five specific categories: Oppression, unity, hope, new beginnings, and making history. Through these suggested elements, one can explore the constructed reality of communitarianism found within the photograph.
Bibliography
Syrian refugee crisis FAQ: What you need to know. (2016, November 15). Retrieved from https://www.worldvision.org/refugees-news-stories/syria-refugee-crisis-faq-war-affecting-children