ANY2170

Visualising cultures: film and ethnography

Dawn Ryan

8 points - 3 hours per week - Second semester - Clayton - Prohibition: COS2170

Objectives Students in this subject can expect to become familiar with a range of ethnographic films; further their understanding of issues involved in the politics of representation; situate ethnographic film in relation to both a written tradition of ethnography and other filmed products; develop their capacity to apply theories 'visually' as well as 'textually'; improve written and oral skills in presenting, discussing and evaluating ideas and issues in anthropology by studying particular films in some detail.

Synopsis This subject explores the relation between film and ethnography by examining how cultures are 'visualised' - documented and represented on celluloid, usually in productions that are aimed at an educational audience rather than one that seeks pure entertainment. The ethical responsibilities of the filmmaker, the political dimension of filmic representation and the practical problems of recording another culture without 'exoticising' it will be studied in relation to a number of important ethnographic films. Although many such films are made to stand alone, their ethnographic merit cannot be evaluated without considering them in relation to written materials as well. The subject will explore the issue of when visual representation can be more (or less) effective than textual discussions and will juxtapose anthropological writings with films to probe the complex process of taking a textual discipline and opening it up to visual forms.

Assessment Four short essays (500 words each): 33% - One critical essay (2000 words): 34% - Examination (2 hours): 33%

Recommended texts

Loizos P Innovation in ethnographic film: From innocence to self consciousness 1955-85 Manchester U P, 1993

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