SVF-3106 | UiT

Type of course

The course is compulsory for M-VCS programme students. Open to students from other programmes.

Admission requirements

A bachelor`s degree in Social Sciences or Humanities

Course overlap

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

SVF-3104 Project description for qualitative research with Camera 2 stp

Course content

The seminar will take a closer look at a number of films and work-in-progress with a special emphasis on the role of these films within the research projects of which they are part. An essential question will be how the films contribute to social scientific research? The films and work-in-progress screened will provide specific empirical and analytical links to topics relevant to the social sciences, such as migration, identity formation, advocacy an indigenous filmmaking, and conflict management.

Film is a suitable tool for communication with different kinds of audiences. The people filmed constitute one kind of audience, while the academic world and the general public constitute others. What are the ambitions of the particular film in this respect? To what extent are the films able to engage different kinds of audiences? To what extent can ethnographic film contribute to empowerment?

The filmmaker will be present at several of the screenings. This will give us access to the considerations and the choices made during the different phases of the project and contribute to the quality of our discussions.

Objectives of the course

Students who have successfully completed the course should have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

Be familiar with literature addressing the role of the visual in social scientific research
Have detailed knowledge about ethnographic film

Analytical understanding

Be able to qualify how the visual constitutes an aspect of anthropological knowledge

Skills and competences

Show ability to distinguish between different audiovisual narrative strategies

Language of instruction and examination

All lectures, readings, assignments, seminar discussions and the final exam are in English.

Teaching methods

The teaching will consist of lectures presentations by social researchers and their projects through screenings of films and work-in-progress, and discussions (approx. 30 hours). The course consists of 10 sessions.

Assessment

COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS
Course attendance is compulsory, i.e. only valid absences will be approved. A minimum presence of 80 % is required.

EXAM
Candidates will write an essay of 4,000 words (approx.10 pages) within a week (7 days) based on a given topic.

Grading will be on the scale A to F, where F=Fail.

It is possible to re-sit the examination in the following autumn semester.

spring 2012 SVF-3106 Film as Practice Led Research - 10 ECTS