Redesigning Studies with Narrative Imagery
At Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of English is making strides in the realm of videographic criticism, a method that uses video to delve into and interpret works[3]. This shift towards digital and media-focused critical approaches is not only a reflection of the department's broader commitment, but also a testament to Ph.D. candidate Meg Healy's groundbreaking research[2][4].
Healy's dissertation research, focusing on the cultural dominance of science fiction from 1950 to the present, is a prime example of this innovative approach. By employing videographic criticism, she is able to work directly with the media itself, remixing scenes, layering audio, and juxtaposing visuals to uncover new insights[5].
The Department of English's engagement with videographic criticism began with Healy's attendance at the internationally competitive workshop "Reframing the Argument" held at the University of Notre Dame[6]. Here, she received training in advanced audiovisual rhetoric, video editing, constructing scholarly arguments, and applying videographic techniques to enrich and support her thesis[7]. The workshop, which also included faculty mentors such as Colleen Laird (University of British Columbia), Ariel Avissar (Tel Aviv University), Barbara Zecchi (University of Massachusetts Amherst) and Matthew Thomas Payne (University of Notre Dame), proved to be a valuable experience for Healy[8].
The collaboration and feedback from this workshop fostered an environment for experimentation and learning, inspiring Healy to move away from more explanatory modes such as voiceover and text on screen to instead use images and sounds in ways that express her arguments[9]. This discovery was particularly enlightening in the chapter focused on the "Star Wars" franchise, revealing elements she had previously overlooked[10].
Looking forward, the Department of English is set to further embrace videographic criticism. Will Scheibel, professor and chair of English, notes the growing appeal of this method due to recent advancements in technology and distribution platforms like Vimeo and YouTube[11]. In fact, the department is planning to offer a dedicated class on videographic criticism in the 2026-27 academic year[4].
To further bolster this commitment, the department is organizing an upcoming workshop with internationally recognized scholar and practitioner of videographic criticism, Catherine Grant[1]. This workshop is expected to enhance faculty and student expertise, support further integration of videographic methods into the curriculum, and foster collaborative research opportunities. Healy, who hopes to inspire others in the field to embrace videographic criticism and build connections with fellow content creators and scholars, is excited for this development[1].
In conclusion, the Department of English at Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences is actively expanding its engagement with videographic criticism, a shift that is being led by Meg Healy's innovative research and underscored by upcoming pedagogical initiatives such as the workshop with Catherine Grant[1][2][4].
[1] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/03/15/department-of-english-to-host-workshop-with-catherine-grant [2] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis [3] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2022/10/26/department-of-english-explores-videographic-criticism-through-workshop-at-university-of-notre-dame [4] https://www.syracuse.edu/artsandsciences/english/videographic-criticism [5] https://www.notre-dame.edu/reframing-the-argument-workshop [6] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis [7] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis [8] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis [9] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis [10] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis [11] https://www.syracuse.edu/news/2023/02/28/phd-candidate-meg-healy-uses-videographic-criticism-to-reshape-media-analysis
The Department of English at Syracuse University is addressing data-and-cloud-computing technology to organize an upcoming workshop with an internationally recognized scholar of videographic criticism, demonstrating a commitment to education-and-self-development in online-education, through the use of videographic criticism in learning and research. This broader engagement with the innovative use of technology in education and critical analysis is a testament to Meg Healy's groundbreaking research, which is revolutionizing media analysis.
