240524 SE Visual Storytelling in Practice and Theory (P4) (2019S)

Aim: The seminar aims to give an introduction into various forms of visual approaches to fieldwork as well as presentation of anthropological research and its results. Moreover, students will get in touch with visual methods and gather experiences of their own within a supervised practical assignment as a final delivery. However, ethnographic filmmaking in theory and practice will be much in the centre of the seminar.

Didactic Approach: The thematic introduction in session one as well as an elaborate bibliography and filmography for preparing student presentations will form one of two pillars of the seminar. The second pillar will be a visual work of the students themselves. The lecturers will provide practical and theoretical information and knowledge on certain visual techniques of which the students can choose one for their practical work. Each of 3 sessions will be defined by a visual method and/or a specific theoretical approach to it. Groups of around 3 students explore relevant literature and a corresponding film example for their presentation. The overall goal of a presentation is to provide the other participants with a sound knowledge of the relevant concepts/theories and in this way, enable a discussion on the notion of the usage of visual methods for anthropological research. The other 3 sessions are dedicated to the practical assignment.

The breaks between March, April and May are dedicated to the preparation of the presentations and the development of the practical assignment.

The course will be supported by the media lab (Mag. Anja Natmessnig) at the Department for Social and Cultural Anthropology and provide the technical infrastructure. We also aim for a collaboration with Ethnocinca Filmwerkstatt.

Students can choose between video film-making or photo-voicing. As equipment can be used preferably smart phone, photo camera (also with video function), or for advanced students professional video equipment (can be borrowed at the media lab at the department). Editing either on your own computers or smart phones with freeware or professional editing suit at the media lab for advanced students.