Are you interested in human culture and how to use the video camera in social scientific research? At Visual Anthropology you are given the opportunity to study ethnographic research methods, anthropological theory, and ethnographic film making in an international environment, culminating with the production of your very own film and written thesis.
Professor of Visual Anthropology
Førstekonsulent
The Department of Social Science offers a two-year full-time Master's programme in Visual Anthropology. This programme aims to teach students how to produce knowledge about people's lives and cultures through an exploration of their everyday lives based on the use of qualitative social science research methods and ethnographic film. The programme combines lectures in academic theory and method, filmmaking and practical instruction in camerawork, sound recording and editing.
The students at the Master's programme follow a set of courses the first two semesters before they travel on fieldwork. Based on this fieldwork, the students write a Master's Thesis and make an ethnographic film. For a complete setup of the programme, please refer to the Programme structure below.
The films produced at Visual Anthropology are well known for their quality. Every year several films are selected for international documentary and ethnographic film festivals. The originality of the program has led to a special educational prize from UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and a further award for educational quality from the Ministry of Education.
After completing successfully the programme, students are expected to have acquired the following learning outcomes.
Knowledge
The candidate
Skills
The candidate
General competences
The candidate
A degree in Visual Anthropology can open doors to a variety of national and international positions in social research, television and film production, administration, communication, museums, youth and education programmes, etc. Studying in such an international environment develops competences in cross-cultural communication as well as valuable assets to a number of career options.
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Admission to the Master of Philosophy in Visual Anthropology requires a Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification with a minimum of 80 ECTS in anthropology, sociology, ethnology, folklore, cultural studies, visual media/communication, visual culture or other closely related fields of study. Applicants must enclose a statement of purpose written in English (maximum of two pages). This statement must include the purpose for and interest in pursuing the master's degree programme, especially why you find visual anthropology interesting. It should also include a short description of a proposed master thesis project. Any experience from film making should also be mentioned in the motivation letter. An average grade equivalent to C or better within the Norwegian grading system is required for Bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand; And an average grade equivalent to B or better within the Norwegian grading system is required for Bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in all other countries.
Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:
The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is
Applicants from outside the Nordic countries:
The application deadline for international applicants is
Are you an international applicant? Read more here
The programme is organised as a continuous participatory learning process: lectures, screenings, writing and filming assignments, and seminars make up the unique cumulative learning process of the two-year course. Students are encouraged to collaborate with each other in developing skills and understandings throughout the study.
The programme includes various types of examinations and coursework requirements, such as essays, research papers, and film presentations. Please note that some courses have coursework requirements. Only students whose coursework requirements have been approved will be allowed to sit the examination.
Teaching and assessment methods are described in the course plan for each course.
Students are not allowed to use private equipment. The university's film and editing equipment and software must be used in all classes for both coursework assignments and Master's film.
This Master's degree is an intensive programme. All courses are compulsory and demand active participation from the students.
English.
On successful completion of the degree programme, students may be qualified for admission to a PhD programme in a number of academic areas at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway or elsewhere.
Students have the possibility to carry out their fieldwork abroad.
Institute | Country |
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University of Ngaoundéré | Kamerun |
University of Maroua | Kamerun |