UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School
Learning and Teaching Committee:
17th March 2015
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
SE995: Visual Anthropology Theory
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the
module
School of Anthropology and Conservation
3.
Start date of the module
September 2009 (revised version start date September 2016)
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
5-10 students
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and
consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
SE859 Visual Anthropology Theory
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or
Postgraduate [M])
Postgraduate (M) (FHEQ level: 7)
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
15 Credits (7.5 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn Term
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
MA Social Anthropology, and Visual Ethnography pathway
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11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
On successfully completing the module MA/MSc students will be able to:
1) explore the theoretical background of anthropological approaches to visual material.
2) consider methodological and theoretical issues with respect to visual representations.
3) address visual and other sensory aspects of anthropological understanding in the
light of visual anthropological theory
4) demonstrate a knowledge of basic techniques of visual production.
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
On successfully completing the module MA/MSc students will be able to:
1) Apply general learning and study skills
2) Critically evaluate anthropological information
3) Present ideas systematically and cogently both orally and in writing
4) Interact with peers and teachers in the exchange of ideas
1) Summarise complex material succinctly
2) Retrieve data
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
This module is a general introduction to visual anthropology. It includes treatment of crosscultural cognition and symbolic analysis, the contextualisation of the visual within the wider
sensorium, the social history of still photography and film relating to ethnographic subjects,
the process of ethnographic filmmaking in terms of wider debates related to intersubjectivity,
the study of national and regional cinematic traditions (outside Europe and America), the
politics and efficacy of indigenous media, the contexts of visual advocacy and activist
filmmaking, the nexus of the visual and medical and the comparative ethnography of
television and broader consideration of issues of social representation and political ideology
in visual imagery. The module combines empirical ethnographic analysis of these issues
with the alternative (complementary) contributions of scholars of visual imagery from a
literary and humanistic tradition of interpretation.
14. Indicative Reading List
Banks, Marcus & Howard Morphy (eds). 1997. Rethinking Visual Anthropology. Yale, UP
Ruby, J. 2000. Picturing Culture: Explorations in Film and Ethnography. U of Chicago
Press
MacDougall, D. 1998. Transcultural Cinema. Princeton University Press
MacDougall, D. 2006. The corporeal image: film, ethnography, and the senses. Princeton,
N.J.; Oxford: Princeton University Press.
Collier, John & Malcolm Collier. 1986. Visual Anthropology Photography as a Research
Method. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press
Crawford, Peter & David Turton (eds). 1992. Film as Ethnography. Manchester University
Press
Barbash, I., L. Taylor, S. Murray & C. Vaughan. 1997. Cross-cultural filmmaking: a
handbook for making documentary and ethnographic films and videos. Berkeley:
University of California Press.
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact
hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how
these relate to achievement of the intended module learning outcomes
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This module will be taught be means of a 1 hour lecture (shared with SE554) for 11
weeks and a total of 8 additional contact hours with the module convenor. Depending on
the number of students enrolled in the module these contact hours will take the form of
seminar groups and/or individual tutorials. Students will also be expected to devote a
total of 131 hours to research, reading, coursework preparation and use of online
resources provided via the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle) for this module.
Total Contact Hours:
19
Independent Study Hours:
131
Total Study Hours:
150
Table of subject and generic learning outcomes supported by these methods:
Teaching & Learning Method Subject Learning Outcomes Generic Learning Outcomes
Lectures
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.3, 11.4
12.1, 12.3, 12.5
Seminars/tutorials
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4
12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6
Independent study
11.1, 11.2, 11.3
12.1, 12.2, 12.5, 12.6
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the
intended module learning outcomes
The module is assessed by 100% coursework.
65% for a 2000 word essay; 35% for an analytic note on a photograph or film.
Table of subject and generic learning outcomes supported by these methods:
Assessment Method
Subject Learning Outcomes Generic Learning Outcomes
Essay
11.1, 11.2, 11.3
12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5
Analytic Note
11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4
12.1, 12.2, 12.6
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
This module requires little in the way of resources other than those already available.
Library and School resources, both physical and digital, are regularly reviewed and the
module reading list is revised on an annual basis with extra purchases made where
necessary. The school's Director of Graduate Studies has responsibility for the staffing of
this module.
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability
equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special
educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable
adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials,
teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared
disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the
University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be
provided where needed.
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19. Campus(es) or Centre(s) where module will be delivered:
Canterbury
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