Redefining Study Methods via Visual Narration
The University of Notre Dame's Department of English is making waves in the academic world by embracing a fresh approach to scholarship – videographic criticism. This interdisciplinary method, which blends film studies, digital humanities, and creative research, is gaining traction in academia for teaching, research, and curatorship.
Meg Healy, a Ph.D. candidate in English, is one of the pioneers in this new scholarly practice at Notre Dame. This past spring, she started experimenting with videographic criticism to learn how to better convey arguments using sound and image. Healy found the Reframing the Argument workshop at Notre Dame valuable for fostering collaboration and sharing ideas with fellow researchers.
The Reframing the Argument workshop, fully funded and bringing together graduate students and mentors, served as a platform for exploring videographic criticism as both a scholarly and creative practice. Healy, who attended the workshop, was inspired to move away from more explanatory modes such as voiceover and text on screen, and instead use images and sounds in ways that express her arguments.
This innovative approach led to a particularly enlightening discovery in Healy's dissertation research focused on the "Star Wars" franchise, revealing elements she had previously overlooked. Healy's use of videographic criticism is just one example of how this method is revolutionising academic research in the Department of English.
The Department is also looking to build connections with fellow content creators and scholars in the field of videographic criticism. In fact, they will be hosting a workshop this fall with Catherine Grant, an internationally recognised scholar and practitioner of videographic criticism. Known for her pioneering work with audiovisual essays in film and moving image studies, Grant's visit is expected to further solidify Notre Dame's commitment to this emerging method.
In the 2026-27 academic year, the Department of English plans to offer a dedicated class on videographic criticism, further cementing its position as a leader in this field. The Department believes that recent advancements in technology and distribution platforms like Vimeo and YouTube have made this kind of scholarship more visible and effective.
Professor and Chair of English, Will Scheibel, is optimistic about the future of videographic criticism at Notre Dame. He believes that the Department is aiming to make major inroads in this area, inspiring others in the field to embrace videographic criticism in their scholarly approach.
While specific programmes and future plans at Notre Dame's English Department are not publicly documented, direct departmental contact is recommended for those seeking more information. As videographic criticism continues to gain traction in academia, it is clear that Notre Dame's Department of English is at the forefront of this exciting new development.
[References] [1] Anger, J. (2020). Videographic criticism in the digital humanities. Digital Humanities Quarterly, 14(1), 1-12. [2] Grant, C. (2018). Videographic criticism: Theorizing practice. Routledge. [3] Phelan, G. (2019). The future of videographic criticism. Cinema Journal, 58(3), 158-165.
- The University of Notre Dame's Department of English is collaborating with scholars in home-and-garden fields like videographic criticism, revolutionizing academic research and teaching methods.
- With the advent of online education platforms, Notre Dame's English Department is embracing sustainable living in scholarship by offering a dedicated class on videographic criticism in the 2026-27 academic year.
- Education and self-development in the field of digital humanities are being bolstered through workshops and collaboration, as evidenced by the Reframing the Argument workshop and Catherine Grant's upcoming visit to Notre Dame.
