Module Code and Title:       ETY303 Visual Anthropology

Programme:                          BA in Anthropology

Credit:                                                12

Module Tutor:                       New Tutor #3

General Objectives: This module explores the rich and varied cultural meanings present in human visual expression. Students will learn how to document, describe, analyse and, in select cases, produce a variety of visual cultural expressions including photography, film, material culture, museum displays and art. They will also engage in theoretical discussion around issue considered central to visual anthropology.

Learning Outcomes – On completion of the module, students will be able to:

1.    Apply the methods of visual anthropology to interpret visual culture.

2.    Explain the politics of representation, especially across cultures.

3.    Explain the history of photography and film in Anthropology.

4.    Provide examples of cultural variation in aesthetics.

5.    Explain key debates in the study of visual culture.

6.    Apply visual methods for original anthropological research

7.    Discuss representation as a social practice.

8.    Analyse agency in both the production and consumption of images.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A.    Proposal for mini-ethnography of visual culture: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will individually complete a mini-ethnography both about visual culture and using visual methodologies. To prepare, students will complete a preparatory assignment, which will help students pick a topic and find sources that will help them complete a better final project. It will also allow the tutor to provide feedback and guidance along the way.

2%       Proposal of project with a visual example of the topic they want to write about and one relevant scholarly article.

1%       Language

1%       Organization

1%       References

B.    Mini-ethnography of visual culture: Portion of Final Mark: 25%

Students will individually conduct a mini-ethnography of visual culture in Bhutan. The work will be marked for how well they describe their topic, how well they use concepts from class to analyse their topic, and how thoughtfully they use visual methods for documenting their work. The final ethnography will be 600-900 words long.

4%       Draft of their mini-ethnography (including the quality of description and analysis, ability to apply relevant module concepts and techniques, claims made are well stated and supported, accuracy and thoughtfulness of use of visual method

10%     Quality of mini-ethnography (including the quality of description and analysis, ability to apply relevant module concepts and techniques, claims made are well stated and supported)

5%       Use of visual method (accuracy, thoughtfulness)

1%       Language

1%       Referencing

1%       Organization

3%       Improvement (in comparison to draft, with particular emphasis on consideration and incorporation of feedback provided)

C.   Visual presentation of ethnographic project: Portion of Final Marks: 20%

Students will also be required to use visual media to present their visual ethnography to the class. The presentation will be graded on how clearly they summarize their research as well as how creatively and insightfully they make use of visual media in their presentation. Students will use methods described in class to produce a visual ethnography. This may include video, photography, drawing a comic, or any other visual method for conveying ethnographic information. Presentations will be no longer than 10 minutes. Marks will be allocated in the following way:

10%     Content (including summary of research, creative use visual media in presentation, how well visual media pairs with content, how well does the presentation address specified criteria, quality of overall analysis, all claims relevant and supported)

5%       Use of visual presentation method (effectiveness, creativity, appropriateness)

3%       Organization and structure; Language use

2%       Delivery (volume, pace, efforts to engage audience) and time management

D.   Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5 hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester.

Prerequisites: AFD101 Introduction to Anthropology

Subject Matter:

1.    Unit I: Introduction to Visual Anthropology

1.1.        Introducing visual anthropology and anthropology of the visual

1.2.        Examples of visual anthropology

1.3.        Overview of the history of visual anthropology

1.4.        Exploring the similarities and differences between “visual” and “material” culture

2.    Unit II: How to See Like an Anthropologist

2.1.        Introduction to visual methodologies: key terms

2.2.        The basics of formal analysis and visual Interpretation

2.3.        Methods for studying audiences and other social activity surrounding visual objects

2.4.        Examples of applying visual methods

3.    Unit III: Ethnographic Photography

3.1.        Early anthropological uses of photography: examples

3.2.        The myth of photographic objectivity: definition and implications

3.3.        Examples of using photographs as sources

3.4.        Examples of photography as ethnography

3.5.        Analysing photographic representations of Bhutan: key trends and examples

4.    Unit IV: Ethnographic Film

4.1.        Overview of the history ethnographic film

4.2.        Discussions about the politics of representation in film

4.3.        Important examples of film as ethnography

4.4.        Reflexivity in ethnographic film: Chronicle of a Summer by Jean Rouch

4.5.        Auto-ethnography and the use of film by indigenous communities

4.6.        Analysing non-fiction films about Bhutan: key terns and examples

5.    Unit V: Anthropology of visual culture

5.1.        Some examples of aesthetics across cultures

5.2.        Orientalism and the politics of representation

5.3.        “Beyond aesthetics:” looking at art as social action

5.4.        National identity and the development of national visual cultures

5.5.        The effects of globalization on visual culture: key trends

5.6.        Visual culture in Bhutan: key elements of Bhutanese visual culture

5.7.        Social and historical analysis of Buddhist art in Bhutan

5.8.        Efforts to preserve Bhutanese visual culture

5.9.        Examples of new forms of visual culture in Bhutan

5.10.      Analysing the relationship between new and old art forms in Bhutan

Reading List:

1.    Essential Reading and Film List:

1.1.        Beckham, M., & Turner, T. (1989). The Kayapo: Out of the forest [Motion Picture]. London: Royal Anthropological Institute.

1.2.        Centre for Bhutan Studies (2007). Media and public culture : Proceedings of the second international seminar on Bhutan studies. Thimphu, Bhutan: Centre for Bhutan Studies.

1.3.        Dauman, A., Rouch, J., & Morin, E. (1961). Chronicle of a summer [Motion Picture]. France: Criterion Collection.

1.4.        Dorji, K. and Wild, M. (2013). Bhutan’s cultural diversity: Life and culture in four remote communities of Bhutan. Thimphu: Helvetas Swiss Intercoopertion.

1.5.        Maki, A. (2011). A Zhabdrung Phunsum Tshogpa (zhabs drung phun sum tshogs pa) thangka from the National Museum of Bhutan Collection. Journal of Bhutan Studies, 25 (winter), 1-49.

2.    Additional Reading:

2.1.        Geertz, C. (1976). Art as a cultural system. MLN, 91(6), 1473-1499.

2.2.        Ginsburg, F. D., Abu-Lughod, L., & Larkin, B. (2002). Media Worlds: Anthropology on New Terrain. Berkeley and London: University of California Press

2.3.        Hagaman, D. (1996). How I learned not to be a photojournalist. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky.

2.4.        Hagaman, D. (1993). The joy of victory the agony of defeat: Stereotypes in newspaper sports feature photographs. Visual Studies, 8(2), 48-66.

2.5.        Jacknis, I. (1988). Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson in Bali: Their use of photography and film. Cultural Anthropology, 3(2), 160-177.

2.6.        Morphy, H., & Banks, M. (Eds.). (1997). Rethinking visual anthropology. New Have, CT: Yale University Press.

2.7.        Morphy, H., & Perkins, M. (2009). The anthropology of art: A reader. Malden, MA: John Wiley & Sons

2.8.        Rose, G. (2016). Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials. London: Sage.