AANB11031U Visual Anthropology in Practice

Volume 2013/2014
Content
The course is for students who wish to learn to use audiovisual methods and publication formats in relation to anthropological fieldwork and analysis, and who have no prior experience in working with film and visual media.

The participants will be introduced to video, sound and photography in relation to an analytical project, to thinking in images and sound, and to forming their audio-visual work in accordance to their analytical aim. We will investigate different audio-visual productions and analyze their anthropological qualities, and look closer at the principles of the recent format, WebDoc, an innovative interactive online format, integrating film, sound, photo and text.

The course in hands-on, meaning that the participants learn through a series of practical, commented exercises and by producing a real audio-visual product, using both film, sound, photo, graphics and text. The participants will work with the same general theme and, in groups of 2-3 students, produce independent sub-elements that will be integrated into a bigger collective WebDoc project about the general theme. The WebDoc will be published online at the end of the course. The general theme will be presented to the participants well before course start.

To achieve the projected results, the course is rather intense and time consuming, with four hours of course pr. week, and some reading and mainly pratical exercises and filming in between. For the practical work, the participants will be working in groups of two or three.

 

Learning Outcome

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

• Demonstrate practical skills in the basic techniques of filming, sound and image, and of digital editing techniques.

• Critically analyze online multi-media formats and demonstrate basic knowledge in their production. 

• Present the potential qualities of visual methods to anthropology.

• Reflect on the methodological, epistemological and ethical questions concerning the use of audiovisual media in anthropology, both as form of exploration and of dissemination.

 

Maximum number of students is 16; priority will be given to students who have followed the course "Theoretical Visual Anthrpology" offered in autumn 2012, spring 2013 and autumn 2013, or who will be following the course in spring 2014, block 3.

Preparations for the course: The participants are requested to read a part of the compulsory course litterature before course start. Furthermore, the participants are requested to hand in a small project abstract within the general theme, of 1-2 pages. The project abstract must be sent to the lecturer and the other participants one week before course start. The participants will receive ample instructions about preparations etc. well before course start.
The course in hands-on, meaning that the participants learn through a series of practical, commented exercises and by producing a real audio-visual product, using both film, sound, photo, graphics and text.
Equipment: The participants are expected to bring their own video cameras and computers for editing, pref. mac (one of each pr. team). A few cameras and editing gear can be provided.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Course Preparation
  • 60
  • Exam
  • 10
  • Exercises
  • 92
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 20
  • Total
  • 210
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Written assignment
Examination form: the examination will consist in port folio assignments, including the initial project abstract, practical exercises, the WebDoc sub-element and a final short essay.
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.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
There is appointed a second internal assessor to assist with the assessment when the first assessor finds this necessary.
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 description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Written assignment
Examination form: the examination will consist in port folio assignments, including the initial project abstract, practical exercises, the WebDoc sub-element and a final short essay.
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.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
There is appointed a second internal assessor to assist with the assessment when the first assessor finds this necessary.
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 description of learning outcome. Formalities for Written Works must be fulfilled, read more: MSc Students/ BA students (in Danish)/ exchange, credit and Open University students