AANB05060U Documenting complexities, translating anthropology into film

Volume 2013/2014
Content

This course is designed to introduce students to the field of visual anthropology, with specific emphasis on the role of film. Theoretically we will discuss ideas of representation and voice as well as contemporary anthropological debates on the concepts of reality, objectivity, subjectivity and agency. A crucial aspect of the course is to explore the challenges and dilemmas when translating anthropology dramaturgically into film. Therefore the course is primarily practical in scope and students should make their own documentary and a short final paper, which discuss and critically reflect upon the process of filmmaking and the literature. Finally and importantly, we will watch a range of classical and contemporary documentaries and discuss their relation to anthropology and the process of filmmaking with invited guest lecturers and acclaimed filmmakers. The course concludes with an ethnographic film festival screening the films made by the students.

The principal course tutors will be Sine Plambech, anthropologist and film director in cooperation with Janus Metz, film director.

Learning Outcome

By the end of the course the student should be able to:

- Demonstrate an  understanding of storytelling through film based on anthropological insights

- Demonstrate basic practical skills in the production of a short documentary, filming,  sound and editing.

- Demonstrate an understanding for the potential of communicating anthropological insights through film.

- Reflect upon the methodological, epistemological and ethical questions raised by visual anthropology

- Demonstrate, in practice, an understanding and accept of the cooperative aspects of filmmaking

Equipment: The participants are expected to bring their own video cameras, Iphones etc  and computers for editing, pref. mac (one of each pr. team).

A common theme for the films produced during the course  will be circulated well in advance for course commencement.

A combination of lectures, guest lectures, discussion as well as student presentations and feedback on students filming process and material.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 28
  • Class Seminar
  • 3
  • Exam
  • 5
  • Preparation
  • 174
  • Total
  • 210
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination
Written examination
Group examination including screening of film (5-7 minutes), and oral presentation of the film (20 minutes). Individual written examination of 1000-1500 words.
Exam registration requirements
The student must participate actively in class, through for example class
presentations, in order to be eligible to take the course exam. The course
lecturer stipulates the specific requirements for active class participation.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
1. & 2. Re-exam
For written exams:
A new essay/portfolio with a revised problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
For oral exams:
A revised synopsis with a new problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The students must hereafter participate in a new oral exam at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assesment
See "Learning Outcome"
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination
Written examination
Group examination including screening of film (5-7 minutes), and oral presentation of the film (20 minutes). Individual written examination of 1000-1500 words.
Exam registration requirements
The student must participate actively in class, through for example class
presentations, in order to be eligible to take the course exam. The course
lecturer stipulates the specific requirements for active class participation.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
1. & 2. Re-exam
For written exams:
A new essay/portfolio with a revised problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
For oral exams:
A revised synopsis with a new problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The students must hereafter participate in a new oral exam at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assesment
See "Learning Outcome"