Introduction to Visual Anthropology

In anthropology, there are multiple methods of researching and conveying an understanding of a culture. One of them is through visual anthropology. Review the article, An Introduction to Visual Anthropology: https://www.thoughtco.com/visualanthropology-introduction-4153066 (Links to an external site.)

For this the majority of this semester we are learning how to use an anthropological lens to view feature films with. For this assignment, we will turn in the other direction and view ethnographic films created by filmmakers who use an anthropological method of filming to convey a perspective of a culture. choose one of the following films:

When Visitors Come

Framing the Other

The Split Horn Daughter from Danang Language Healers

N!ai, The story of a !Kung Woman

Consuming Kids

He Said She Said

Red Moon – Menstruation, Culture & the Politics of Gender

Write an essay that is approximately 500-1000 words or a 3-5 minute voice or video recording that includes the following:

• Identify the film you chose.
• How did this film inform you about the topic/culture?
• What gaps or questions about the culture are you left with?
• Do you see any possible bias?
• How is ethnographic/documentary style of film different from feature film?
• How might these two different styles affect your perspective of a culture?
• Connect with class material: There must be at least two clear connections to class material. Connecting to class material is not dropping in anthropological jargon or the titles of a film. Tip: write as if your reader or viewer has no idea what anthropology or this class is, and you are explaining.
• Follow essay (or speech) structure with an introduction, supporting, and concluding paragraphs or statement.