This course aims to develop fundamental visual literacy skills that equip students with the key concepts and methods for studying fine art, art history, decorative arts, popular culture, design, and architecture. A spectrum of images from ancient times to the present, and from a range of cultures are used to familiarize students with visual culture. Techniques of visual and thematic analysis are applied to exemplary works from cultural cannons and contemporary life. Key topics include: 1) Visual elements and theory (forms, space, colour, iconology and ideology, etc.); 2) The interaction of medium and meaning (media and evaluating art); 3) Critical thinking about art and visual culture (art in public spaces, gender and identity, art criticism, etc.).