Visual Sociology in the Classroom: Using Imagery to Teach the Politics of Globalization

Abstract

How do students 'see' globalization? How do they understand visual representations of its political, social and ethical dimensions? This article discusses the use of visual materials as a tool for teaching globalization theory. Images convey specific values and beliefs, frame understandings of global problems, provide access to distant locales and offer a form of resistance. Such media allow students to consider how images may reproduce inherently politicized articulation, and to gain a better understanding of models of and concepts related to globalization. The article discusses a specific exercise, learning outcomes and pedagogical barriers to students' understanding of visual representation of space and place. It provides both specific images related to globalization and student analyses which illustrate how visual analyses may facilitate integration, synthesis and retention of otherwise abstract theories and concepts.

Engaging students and their publics through making sociological films

“…In teaching, existing visual and audio-visual material is widely used as a pedagogical tool to help foster in students an understanding of sociological issues, including the politics of representation. Videos (Andrist et al, 2014), 6 feature films (Dowd, 1999;Kennedy et al, 2011;Valdez and Halley, 1999), TV series (Nefes, 2014;Scanlan and Feinberg, 2000) and photos (Earnest and Fish, 2014;Hyde, 2015) have all been used to illustrate sociological ideas or as a springboard for discussion. For example, Dowd (1999) uses feature films to teach students to identify the world view and theoretical perspective implicit in every film, for example essentialist ideas about gender in the Hollywood film A Few Good Men.…”