Art and Aesthetics

Ethics and Politics

Literature and Rhetoric

The course examines the representation of the Black female figure in Western art from the 17th century to the present. With considerations of historical contexts, visual literacy and how representation of race and gender shape and influence the development of art, visual culture, and cultural narratives, this course will analyze a selection of art works and how these portrayals reflect and influence agency, societal attitudes and cultural narratives at the time of production. Students will also consider the impact of such works on art and society in the ensuing years and generations. In addition to research and reports, students will be expected to read and synthesize perspectives from art history, feminist theory and cultural studies to assess cultural narratives. Students should also be prepared to engage in creative reflection, writing and class presentation as part of the investigation and consideration of these art works. Museum visits, where possible, will be part of the course. This course is taught by Enuma Okoro, a columnist for the Financial Times. 

The debate about climate change and the resulting contemporary ecological crisis has brought into prominent focus the relation between humankind and the environment. Over the past decades, artists and thinkers in the field of environmental ethics have developed various ways of determining ethical forms of human action in relation to nature. In order to grasp and evaluate these positions, we will – in a first step – study traditional ethical theories (consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics). We will discuss their premises and the conclusions they suggest in regard to moral commitments. Building on this foundation, we will evaluate the soundness and validity of contemporary artistic and theoretical approaches to the field of environmental ethics. The seminar aims for students to acquire the competence to develop their own ethical stances and to advocate for their moral judgments. On our way, we will analyze the implication of anthropocentric and physiocentric arguments (caring for nature for the sake of humankind or for the sake of nature itself?), touching on the realms of human rights, animal rights, (global) justice, sustainability, ecopolitics (e.g. sumac kawsay, a concept of the “good life” alongside nature), ecofeminism and moral psychology (how can we bridge the gap between knowing what is right and doing what is right?). 

In this course, students have the unique opportunity to work with an award-winning journalist dedicated to longform storytelling and investigative reporting. Channing Gerard Joseph has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Nation, and other major publications. His reporting explores issues of power, identity, and representation, blending rigorous research with narrative storytelling. The class examines the craft of longform journalism—a style of in-depth, narrative-driven reporting that allows journalists to move beyond breaking news and produce deeply researched, immersive stories. From investigative exposés to literary nonfiction, longform journalism is one of the most powerful forms of public storytelling. But what makes a longform piece compelling? How do journalists balance fact and narrative? What ethical dilemmas arise when writing about real people’s lives? Students will develop their own longform projects, selecting a topic of public interest and conducting field reporting, interviews, and archival research. The course will include discussions on media ethics, representation, and bias, asking how journalists shape public perception through their choices in framing, sourcing, and storytelling This course combines media analysis with hands-on reporting.