Visual Anthropology 02.06-S-KKW-3
Course content:
1. The origins of social and cultural anthropology and some current debates – short introduction
2. Methods in Anthropology: qualitative research, fieldwork, participant observation
3. History of visual media use in fieldwork and anthropological research
4. Photography in Visual Anthropology. Methods: photo-elicitation, photographic essay and more
5. Photography for dissemination of social research: exhibitions, integration into the public space/cityscape
6. What defines ethnographic film? Choices in ethnographic film.
7. 'Nanook of the North' - the beginning of ethnographic film, representing the past as present
8. Film in Visual Anthropology: From whose point of view? Representation and objectivity, watch and discuss 'The Ax Fight'
9. Collaborative methods in Visual Anthropology: Jean Rouch and ethnofiction
10. Returning the gaze - ethnographic film in postcolonial times: ‘Cannibal Tours’
11. Observational filmmaking: David MacDougall
How can stylistic choices be reconciled with the expectations of academic research?
12. Students carry out photo-investigations of their own
Supplementary literature
Mode
(in Polish) Realizowany w sali
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
Student:
• ought to have a sound knowledge of the main debates and styles in visual anthropology
• Knowledge of the methodological challenges of relating text and visual images and different solutions proposed for them
Skills
Student:
• should be able to make own decisions and develop an own project that includes visual methods
Social competences
Student:
• understands the relationship between the theoretical knowledge and practice
Assessment criteria
• Evaluation of the in class activity and homework
• Evaluation of the final project – presentation and essay
The final project – carrying out a photo-investigation and reflecting about it in a companion text- will give students an opportunity to practically try out the principles discussed in class.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: