Visual Turn in IR : Films

Summary

This lecture explores the 'visual turn' in International Relations (IR) through films, emphasizing their importance in conveying narratives and ideas. It discusses the evolution of IR from realism to reflectivism, highlighting new issues like climate change and pandemics. Films such as 'Before the Flood' and 'Contagion' are analyzed for their contribution to research and debate in IR, illustrating the shift towards non-traditional security threats and the role of visual media in shaping global governance discourse.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The lecture emphasizes the importance of studying narratives in International Relations (IR) through visual frameworks, particularly films.
• 🌐 Films are considered a visual art form that can simulate experiences and communicate ideas, stories, perceptions, and feelings, making them a valuable tool for understanding IR.
• 📚 The 'visual turn' in IR is highlighted as a significant development, where images and visual media play a crucial role in shaping our understanding of global politics.
• 👨‍🏫 The utility of movies and films in teaching IR is discussed, suggesting they can enhance students' knowledge about international politics by providing a 'window on the world'.
• 💬 The lecture discusses the evolution of IR as a discipline, from realism to the inclusion of perspectives like neoliberalism, reflectivism, feminism, and environmentalism.
• 🌿 The concept of sustainable development is introduced, emphasizing the need to balance present needs with the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• 🌍 The importance of environmental issues in IR is underscored, with climate change, biodiversity, and global warming being integral parts of today's diplomatic relations.
• 🌱 The documentary 'Before the Flood' is mentioned as an example of how films can raise awareness about global governance and environmental issues.
• 🦠 The lecture also touches on the role of films in depicting non-traditional security threats, such as pandemics, and how they can inform research and public understanding.
• 📖 Several academic works are cited that explore the relationship between film, visual politics, and IR, suggesting that films are not just entertainment but can also be a method for research and knowledge dissemination.
• 🔍 The challenges and opportunities of using films to teach and understand IR are acknowledged, encouraging a deeper analysis of the messages films convey about research, visibility, and knowledge.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture on visual turn in IR films?

The lecture focuses on the importance of studying the narrative of International Relations (IR) through a visual framework, particularly films, and how they add to research and analytical information in the discipline.

How do films contribute to the understanding of IR?

Films contribute to the understanding of IR by simulating experiences and communicating ideas, stories, perceptions, and feelings, providing a window on the world and enhancing students' knowledge about international politics.

What challenges does the visual turn in IR present?

The visual turn presents challenges in teaching IR as it requires understanding the complex interplay between visual politics, aesthetics, and the spatial aspects of IR, as well as the need to critically analyze the messages conveyed by films.

What is the significance of the quote by Robert Altman mentioned in the lecture?

The quote by Robert Altman emphasizes the transformative power of filmmaking, suggesting that films can offer a deep understanding of various lifetimes and experiences, which is crucial for comprehending the diverse narratives in IR.

How does the lecture relate the visual turn in IR to the broader IR discipline?

The lecture relates the visual turn to the broader IR discipline by discussing how films can reflect and influence the theoretical debates within IR, such as realism, neoliberalism, and reflectivism, as well as new issues like sustainability and climate change.

What is the role of non-state actors in the context of IR as discussed in the lecture?

The lecture highlights that non-state actors, such as markets and industries, play a significant role in IR, moving away from the traditional focus on state-centric realism towards a more inclusive understanding of global politics.

How does the lecture connect the concept of sustainable development to IR films?

The lecture connects sustainable development to IR films by illustrating how documentaries like 'Before the Flood' can effectively communicate the urgency of environmental issues and the need for sustainable development practices.

What does the lecture suggest is the importance of the 'visual turn' in understanding contemporary IR?

The lecture suggests that the 'visual turn' is important in contemporary IR because it allows for a more nuanced understanding of global issues through visual narratives, which can influence perceptions and inform policy.

How does the lecture address the role of films in depicting non-traditional security threats?

The lecture addresses the role of films in depicting non-traditional security threats by analyzing movies like 'Outbreak' and 'Contagion', which illustrate the potential impact of pandemics and the importance of global cooperation in addressing such threats.

What are the key takeaways from the lecture regarding the use of films in IR education?

The key takeaways are that films can serve as valuable educational tools in IR by providing visual narratives that enhance understanding of complex issues, stimulate debate, and offer research insights, but also present challenges that require critical analysis.

How does the lecture suggest films can influence the research and discourse in IR?

The lecture suggests that films can influence the research and discourse in IR by presenting visual representations of global issues, challenging traditional perspectives, and prompting a rethinking of IR theories and practices.