This course explores the relationship between textual and visual forms of apprehension and expression in the modern world and their impact on European culture post-1900. The focus of the core module is on the graphic arts (poster, postage stamp, typography), photography and cinema, and on contemporary digital-based media. Various theoretical approaches will be explored in relation to the word/image problematic which will be situated in a number of European cultural traditions. Course options focus on specific media (photography, cinema) or themes (the city, avant-gardes).

The course consists of one core module stretching over two semesters and four one-semester modules (from a choice of 5 or 6). The first core module focuses on Word/Image relations in graphic design, ranging from posters and postage stamps to typography and logotype. The second core semester focus on word/image relations in photography, cinema and the digital media. The one-term options, two of which are followed each semester, include Text and Photography, Figuring European National Identities, Figurations of the European City, the Russian Avant-Garde and East European Cinema. A dissertation on a subject of the student's choice is prepared over the summer months.