This course is an exploration of the use of visual media in “thinking” and “doing” anthropology – as a tool for communicating anthropological knowledge, but also one that is central to practicing a kind of ethnographic fieldwork. As a class we will address the paradox of how cultural others have been captured and presented through visual media (primarily film and video) in ways that inevitably shape and distort realities, yet at the same time preserve images of these realities as valuable ethnographic somethings. We begin with a discussion of early anthropology and the first uses of photography and cinematography as a tool for documenting diversity. We quickly move on to consider the visual treatment of a familiar range of anthropological topics, with special emphasis on our own exploratory thinking and doing visual anthropology with the campus resources available. Readings plus in-class screenings of both classic and contemporary examples of ethnographic photography, film, and video will provide a basis for our discussions throughout, but we will also reserve time for critical and constructive feedback on our works-in-progress.

Students are responsible for regular class attendance, preparation, and active participation (10% of course grade), as well as two quizzes (2 x 10%). Students are responsible for two 3-4 page written responses to readings and films and other images viewed in class (2 x 15%). Students will also take part in a team project that will be presented to the class (40%) during the final two weeks of the quarter. Team projects will be visual in nature and address issues in visual anthropology/ethnography. Teams will be assembled by the end of Week 2, a working topic submitted in writing by the end of Week 4, and a project status report delivered in section during Week 7. Final projects will be screened in class during Week 9.

more on assignments...

Grading is based on a straight percentage/100-point scale, where: A = 94 -100 ; A- = 90-93;   B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 64-66.

By the UW standard grading system: A = 4.0-3.9; A- = 3.8-3.5; B+ = 3.4-3.2; B = 3.1-2.9; B- = 2.8-2.5; C+ = 2.4-2.2; C = 2.1-1.9; C- = 1.8-1.5; D+ = 1.4-1.2; D = 1.1-0.9; D- = 0.8-0.7 (lowest passing grade).

Required
• Jay Ruby, Picturing Culture: Explorations of Film and Anthropology (Chicago, 2000)
• Gregory C. Stanczak, Visual Research Methods (Sage, 2007)
• Additional readings available as electronic files on the schedule page

weekly schedule

discussion board