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Visual History: US Imperialism in the Philippines
Explore US imperialism through political cartoons and photographs of the Philippine-American War era.
Explore US imperialism through political cartoons and photographs of the Philippine-American War era.
This course offers a unique perspective on US imperialism and the Philippine-American War through the lens of visual history. Using the rich content from MIT's Visualizing Cultures project, students will analyze political cartoons, photographs, and other visual sources from 1898-1913 to understand the complex debates surrounding US global imperialism. The curriculum covers key themes such as the representation of civilization and barbarism in political cartoons, the role of photography in colonial power dynamics, and the ethical considerations of using historical visual sources. Through a roundtable discussion format, learners will engage with multiple scholarly perspectives, developing critical skills in visual analysis and historical interpretation. This course is particularly valuable for those interested in US-Philippines relations, visual culture studies, and the intersection of media and imperialism.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Analyze political cartoons and photographs as primary historical sources
Examine the role of visual media in shaping public opinion on imperialism
Understand the use of photography as a tool of colonial power and documentation
Explore the representation of race and culture in historical visual sources
Develop critical skills in interpreting visual evidence in historical contexts
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
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There are 5 modules in this course
This course uses visual records to explore US imperialism and the Philippine-American War from 1898 to 1913. It teaches students how to analyze political cartoons, photographs, and other visual sources as primary historical evidence. The curriculum covers debates on imperialism in political cartoons, issues of race and prejudice in visual representations, the use of photography as a tool of colonial power, and the often-overlooked Philippine-American War. Students will learn about ethnographic photography, the theme of civilization versus barbarism in imperial discourse, and early uses of cross-cultural photography in mass media. The course emphasizes a discursive and exploratory learning style, exposing students to multiple scholarly perspectives through roundtable discussions. It also provides valuable resources for educators, with modules that can be integrated into classroom teaching.
Introduction
Module 1
Civilization & Barbarism: Cartooning and Global Imperialism
Module 2
Photography and Power I: the Philippine-American War
Module 3
Photography & Power II: How Photography Colonized the Philippines
Module 4
Conclusion: Images of Power/the Power of Images
Module 5
Fee Structure
Instructors
Distinguished Historian Advancing Military and Political History
Christopher Capozzola serves as Professor of History and Senior Associate Dean for Open Learning at MIT, where he holds the Elting Morison Professorship. After earning his undergraduate degree from Harvard College and PhD from Columbia University in 2002, he has established himself as a leading scholar of American political, legal, and military history. His influential works include "Uncle Sam Wants You: World War I and the Making of the Modern American Citizen" (2008) and "Bound by War: How the United States and the Philippines Built America's First Pacific Century" (2020). As a MacVicar Faculty Fellow since 2018, MIT's highest honor for undergraduate teaching, he teaches courses spanning political and legal history, war and military studies, and international migration. His public history work includes co-curating "The Volunteers: Americans Join World War I" and advising the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. Through his leadership roles, including former Secretary of the Faculty and Department Head of History, he continues to shape historical understanding while contributing to major media outlets and serving on editorial boards of prestigious historical journals. His expertise has made him a frequent commentator on historical topics, appearing on various television programs and speaking at museums, libraries, and historical societies nationwide.
4 Courses
Renowned Historian Revolutionizing Japanese Studies and Visual History
John W. Dower, born June 21, 1938, in Providence, Rhode Island, has established himself as one of America's foremost historians specializing in modern Japanese history and U.S.-Japan relations. As Professor Emeritus at MIT, his scholarly work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of post-World War II Japan and Pacific War relations.
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