Introduction

General Information

Course

Visual Methods 2021-22

2nd semester | Fridays 10.00-16.00
Starting on 11 February

Seminars:

11/02- 25/03 from 10-12 am

01/04- 03/06 from 11-13 am

Seminars will be taught On Campus in rotating groups; every week, students of one of the three Supervisory Groups will follow the Seminar online. In this way we aim to prevent overcrowding in the classroom.
Those who are ill or in quarantine may also follow the Seminars online after informing the coordinator of the course (Metje Postma).
https://smart.newrow.com/#/room/iql-741

Workgroups:

11/02- 25/03 from 01-03 pm

01/04- 03/06 from 02-04 pm

All Workgroups will be taught On Campus.
Those who are ill or in quarantine may also follow the Workgroups online after informing the coordinator of the course (Metje Postma).

Final Presentation: 16 & 17 June 10.00-17.00

Pieter de la Court building | Faculty of Social Sciences

EC: 10.0.

Teachers

Metje Postma
Benjamin Fogarty-Valenzuela
Sander Hölsgens

Guest Teachers

Wendy van Wilgenburg
Andrew Littlejohn
Federico DeMusso

Course Objectives

This course provides a general theoretical introduction to using visual methods in ethnographic research, as well as hands on training in the anthropological use of video, soundrecording & photography. Students are introduced to these methods through the performance of a small research-project that will result in the production of a short ethnographic video and an accompanying Multi Modal Website. They will also be introduced to readings on epistemology, visual anthropology and documentary traditions that are commonly used within visual anthropology and they will be given a brief overview of the history of ethnographic film.

NB: This course is also an admission requirement for the Visual Ethnography as a Method track within the MA program in Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology.

Students will acquire

An introduction to cinematic styles most used in Ethnographic Film & visual anthropological theory.
An understanding of the epistemological features of different mediations in anthropology (word, audio, image, video) for research and reporting.
Experience with using different anthropological research methods such as: (a) Observing and reporting on patterns in cultural activities and social interactions. (b) Making photos & (c) conducting a photo elicitation interview. (d) Recording, analyzing and editing moving images from an ethnographic perspective. (e) The production of a short ethnographic documentary.
Basic skills in the use of consumer video equipment and digital editing software.
Experience with presenting visual ethnographic research on a multimodal website.

Methods of Instruction & Courseload

Total 10 ECTS = 280 study hours (sbu)

Seminars (30 hours)
Workgroups (28 hours)
Online lectures self-study & Class assignments (ca. 20 hours)
Film self-study (ca. 20 hours)
Literature self-study ca. 240 pages of selected reading (ca. 40 hours)
Individual audiovisual assignments (ca. 8 hours)
Research assignments on individual basis (in collaboration with co-students within thematic groups) (ca. 50 hours)
Recording & Editing a short ethnographic film (approx. 10 minutes ) on individual basis (40 hours)
Creating a multimedia research website (approx. 3000 words plus media) together with co-students within thematic groups (24 hours)

Assessment Methods

Active participation in class discussion & class assignments (‘Pass’ when all class assignments are done, minus one) + Theoretical Essay (30 %)
Audiovisual assignments (10%)
Research Assignments (includes film & website) (60 %)

Presence at seminars and workgroups is obligatory. Absence of two sessions is allowed (with notice to teachers). When more than two sessions are missed, an additional assignment is required, only if overall performance is satisfactory. Combined with overall weak performance you may risk failing the course.
When failing final deadline or grade, there is one possibility for re-examination in the week of June 20th, 2022.

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