Ideological Criticism

Presenter Information

Kaitlin ArchibaldFollow

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

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Apr 13th, 3:00 PM Apr 13th, 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