Undergraduate - UnitATS3373 - Visualising cultures: film and ethnography

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Anthropology
Offered	Not offered in 2014
Coordinator(s)	TBA

Notes

Previously coded ANY3170

Synopsis

This unit 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. The unit also explores the issue of when visual representation can be more (or less) effective than textual discussions.

Outcomes

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. Students taking the unit at Third Year level will be expected in the essay to research and critically assess the work of a film-maker not covered in the set program.

Assessment

Written work and film reviews: 70%
Exam: 20%
Participation: 10%

Chief examiner(s)

TBA

Workload requirements

4 hours (2 x film screening

l hour lecture
1 tutorial) per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Indigenous cultures and histories

Prerequisites

Appropriate first-year ANY sequence or by permission

Prohibitions

COS2170 and ATS2373