Art Research Paper
A-26
arth_3357_history_of_photography.docx
Paper Topics Coupled with the Key Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
1. Lewis Hine: If you choose this topic provide an analysis of Lewis Hine’s images advocating for child labor laws as well as his life and work in that area; be sure to relate it to Human Dignity, Rights & Responsibilities, and Dignity of work & Rights of Workers.
Human Dignity
In a world warped by materialism and declining respect for human life, the Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.
Rights and Responsibilities
Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities – to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected – the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property and to economic initiative.
2. W. Eugene Smith: If you choose this topic, analyze W. Eugene Smith’s “Minamata” series in terms of the Chisso Chemical Company’s responsibility to the community and the photographer’s response to the ecologically-related health issues in Minamata.
Community and the Common Good
In a global culture driven by excessive individualism, our tradition proclaims that the person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society – in economics and politics, in law and policy – directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. Our Church teaches that the role of the government and other institutions is to protect human life and human dignity and promote the common good.
Stewardship of Creation
Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions which cannot be ignored.
3. Jacob Riis: If you choose this topic, consider Jacob Riis’ book, “How the Other Half Lives” and explain how that book changed the public’s view of the poor as well as governmental outcomes on behalf of the poor.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
Role of Government
Because we are social beings, the state is natural to the person. Therefore, the state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. Its purpose is to assist citizens in fulfilling their responsibility to others in society. Since, in a large and complex society these responsibilities cannot adequately be carried out on a one-to-one basis, citizens need the help of government in fulfilling these responsibilities and promoting the common good. According to the principle of subsidiarity, the functions of government should be performed at the lowest level possible, as long as they can be performed adequately. If they cannot, then a higher level of government should intervene to provide help.
4. Sebastiao Salgado: if you choose this topic, analyze Salgado’s images AND TEXT addressing the socio-economic realities in his book “Workers.” Consider his desire to use these photographs as a tribute to blue collar workers, as well as to depict the inequities of economic rewards for blue collar work globally.
Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
In a marketplace where too often the quarterly bottom line takes precedence over the rights of workers, we believe that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected – the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property and to economic initiative.
Solidarity
Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Solidarity means that “loving our neighbor” has global dimensions in an interdependent world.
5. Robert & Shana ParkeHarrison: if you choose this topic, analyze the way in which these photographers image a healing restoration of the earth after it has been abused.
Stewardship of Creation
Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions which cannot be ignored.
6. The FSA group: If you choose this topic, assess how the FSA photographers helped promote the goals and programs of the New Deal; the legislation which was government’s attempt to aid victims of the Depression; as well as the commitment of the FSA photographers to represent their subjects with human dignity.
Role of Government
Because we are social beings, the state is natural to the person. Therefore, the state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. Its purpose is to assist citizens in fulfilling their responsibility to others in society. Since, in a large and complex society these responsibilities cannot adequately be carried out on a one-to-one basis, citizens need the help of government in fulfilling these responsibilities and promoting the common good. According to the principle of subsidiarity, the functions of government should be performed at the lowest level possible, as long as they can be performed adequately. If they cannot, then a higher level of government should intervene to provide help.
Human Dignity
In a world warped by materialism and declining respect for human life, the Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.
7. John Heartfield: If you choose this topic discuss the role and responsibility of the artist in times of immoral governmental leadership. Take into account Heartfield’s outspokenness in opposing the Third Reich, leading to his relocation in England.
Role of Government
Because we are social beings, the state is natural to the person. Therefore, the state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights, and build the common good. Its purpose is to assist citizens in fulfilling their responsibility to others in society. Since, in a large and complex society these responsibilities cannot adequately be carried out on a one-to-one basis, citizens need the help of government in fulfilling these responsibilities and promoting the common good. According to the principle of subsidiarity, the functions of government should be performed at the lowest level possible, as long as they can be performed adequately. If they cannot, then a higher level of government should intervene to provide help.
Solidarity
Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Solidarity means that “loving our neighbor” has global dimensions in an interdependent world.
8. James Nachtwey or JR/choose ONE of the two photographers, not both: if you choose this topic consider the photographs and commentary of James Nachtwey, a war photographer, or JR, a public art photographer, in the promotion of peace, voiced in their TED Prize videos and through their ongoing photo work. Consider that in the case of both photographers their work is based on the realization that peace is not only on a cessation of conflict but is actually a quest to correct global injustice.
Promotion of Peace
Catholic teaching promotes peace as a positive, action-oriented concept. In the words of Pope John Paul II, “Peace is not just the absence of war. It involves mutual respect and confidence between peoples and nations. It involves collaboration and binding agreements.” There is a close relationship in Catholic teaching between peace and justice. Peace is the fruit of justice and is dependent upon right order among human beings.
Guidelines for Writing Your Paper
The Premise: A photographer (or group of photographers) has chosen to make work which supports the betterment of the world in an attempt to establish/support social justice.
1. In this paper you will delineate both the photographer’s work and how it relates to social justice
1. In order to write this paper you need to know how your photographer’s or photo group’s work supports/supported social justice. You will need to look at your photographer’s motivation, whether it takes the form of self-motivation, or governmental motivation, or motivation from some other outside source. For this paper, biographical information matters ONLY if it augments the photographer’s motivation.
1. In order to write this paper you will need to understand the injustice that your photographer has attacked: its history, its pervasiveness, its “evil”, and if possible its cure (or at least what your photographer thinks the cure might be) whether that injustice is poverty or child labor or inequitable working conditions or the destruction of the earth, etc. You should also be able to relate whether that injustice has been altered as a result of the photographer’s work.
1. For this paper you should also be able to consider the stylistic choices made by your photographer (documentary or directorial; straight photography or manipulated) and how that helped spread the message.
1. For this paper you should be able to assess the impact the photographer’s work has on/in the world: the method of dispersal of the message (book, magazine, internet, etc.) and the work’s effectiveness in raising awareness and creating positive action.
1. Tie together the photographer and his work with the message and the principle of social justice it addresses: the photographer’s intention and his personal stake (sacrifice) in delivering the message as well as the outcome of his efforts.
