Visual Anthropology |
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Course Materials: Things of Interest: |
ANT 370S-01 Visual Anthropology Dr. D. D. Wills COURSE SYLLABUS Instructors: Dr. Dorothy D. Wills, Assistant Brian Rigazzi Course Description Visual Anthropology is the field that is concerned with the documentation of culture, social institutions, and everyday human behavior through film. This course explores the uses of video, audio, world wide web, and other media in anthropological research, in the communication of ideas and information to the public, and as repositories of knowledge. Students will become familiar with ethnographic and other documentary approaches in multi-media, and will carry out their own projects with digital media. 4 units lecture/discussion/activity This course (ANT 370) is part of the core curriculum for the Digital Media minor degree program in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. It follows the core sequence CLS 201/201A and CLS 301/301A, and may be taken along with support courses in the minor. Students in all majors are welcome. Anthropology majors can satisfy a core elective with this course. This is a service-learning course, through which you will put your skills in multimedia and anthropology to use in communities or in working with organizations. We have identified some possible partners for you in this aspect of the course and can assist you in making the appropriate connections and arrangements. You are also welcome to bring your own contacts and ideas into the discussion to satisfy this requirement. Objectives The main goal of this course is to give group members a general idea of what it takes to research, plan, shoot, edit, and present a short documentary, slide show with digital stills, radio documentary, or web site using digital illustrations, whose focus is any theme of anthropological interest. In short, students will make an abbreviated ethnographic film. Additionally, while producing this short documentary, group members will become familiar with SOME of the hardware and software used by today’s film industry. Students will understand the role, purposes, and challenges associated with visual anthropology. They will become familiar with the basic history of the discipline and features of its technological development. Student Learning Outcomes 1. Students will be able to use a variety of multi-media
techniques in anthropological research. Materials Texts: Cameras and peripherals will be made available when needed, unless you have your own equipment. Computers with appropriate software may be used in the Downtown Center or on-campus labs, and studio facilities are also available. Students may be asked to leave a check for $150 on deposit with the Dean’s office any time they borrow a camera, which will be returned when the camera is returned. Schedule of Class Meetings with Topics and Assignments Note: This syllabus is to be regarded as a flexible document. Dates, assignments, topics, and activities could conceivably change, as we progress through the quarter. No changes will be made without consultation with and agreement of the class. Also, it is possible the faculty will hold a two-day walkout during the quarter. You will be given an out-of-class assignment, if this takes place. Our objective in striking is not to deprive you of your education, but to communicate our seriousness to the CSU administration. One of the conditions of the contract proposed by the Chancellor’s Office requires us to support student fee hikes. That is one of the reasons we have rejected it. Mar. 26 April 4 April 9 April 11 April 18
April 30 May 2 Guest presentation by Professor Lorena Turner of Communication
Dept. on her Colombia photography project. May 7 May 9 Reading assignment: Ruby 8, Barbash 8. May 14 May 16 May 21 May 23 May 28 May 30 No Final Exam. Course Requirements You will develop an individual multimedia project. This can be based in any of the local communities, or you can design another kind of project (i.e., with an organization, or across several communities, etc.). This must be of ethnographic interest and educational value. The project must involve providing a service to this community or group, as well as documenting something about them. Your work will be evaluated by a jury consisting of the instructional team, your peers, the community partner, and neutral external parties. You will also carry out three written critical reviews of films, to be assigned in class. Some discussions of readings will be conducted on-line using Blackboard, so you will be expected to participate in these, especially if we are not meeting in class. Evaluation Criteria will be discussed in class. Roughly, the project is 50% of your grade, each assignment 15%, and participation 25%. |