POLS388 Political Data Analysis
Schram

Spring 2008

Fifth Assignment

The Calligram

Choose a topic to study with either visual or textual analysis. If you choose visual, use an analytical approach such as “picture theory,” as explained by W.J.T. Mitchell and be sure to attend interpretive issues, such as the "cycle of representation," as discussed by Michel Foucault and issues raised by "metapictures," as put forward by Foucault or Mitchell. If you choose textual analysis, use an appropriate analytical approach, such as Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction or other approaches such as metaphor analysis, as explained by Martha Feldman. If you employ a deconstructive approach, be sure to demonstrate how binaries or dichotomies work to privilege certain representations making them visible while erasing or marginalizing others. If you examine how metaphors work to frame a text, be sure to address issues of intertextuality.

In each case, whatever you study present the image or text in question so the reader can follow your analysis. And conclude by considering how in your case study images imply text and texts imply images (as in Michel Foucault’s "calligram") such that triangulation of your analysis with another kind of text or image for your topic would prove productive.

Papers should be 4-5 pages typewritten double-spaced and due Week 13.