Section: m 4.00-5.25 in Arts 1344
office Hours: mw 12.00 in Arts 1344
Today is a free-writing session for your Lorna Simpson research papers. You'll meet with me individually to discuss your thesis development and ideas.
Use this time to work on your papers and clarify your research direction through our one-on-one meetings.
Reading Focus: Vivian Sobchack: On the Death of a Rabbit in Fictional Space
Break into small groups of 4-5 people to discuss the reading.
- How does Sobchack distinguish between fictional and documentary space in cinema?
- What does the "death of a rabbit" example reveal about our relationship to filmed violence?
- How do we as viewers respond differently to fictional vs. documentary death/violence?
- What role does context play in determining how we interpret an image or film?
- How might Sobchack's ideas apply to photography and still images?
- Can you think of examples where the line between fictional and documentary becomes blurred?
- How does this reading connect to our previous discussions of Benjamin's "aura" and Berger's "ways of seeing"?
- What implications does this have for artists like Lorna Simpson who work with photography and narrative?
Today's Schedule:
→ Sign up for a 10-15 minute individual meeting with me
→ Come prepared to discuss your thesis ideas and research direction
→ Bring any questions about your approach to analyzing Simpson's work
→ Use remaining time for free-writing on your paper
Due: Wednesday, July 16 by 1:30PM in class
2-Part Assignment
Part 1: Chapter 6 Summary
Write a 1-2 page summary of the important ideas addressed in Chapter 6 (pages 166-198): "Flourishing" from Your Brain on Art
Part 2: Lorna Simpson Research Paper Draft
Write the first 2-3 pages of your Lorna Simpson research paper, including your thesis statement and initial analysis
Total assignment length: 3-5 pages
Paper Tips:
→ Focus on a specific aspect of Simpson's practice (text/image, identity, memory, etc.)
→ Use proper Chicago citations // sample paper listed
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