Film Studies 320 - Visual Anthr in Material World

In this course we go behind the scenes and behind the screens of anthropological films, museum exhibitions, 'small media' events such as television, and publications such as National Geographic Magazine, to explore the social contexts of image production, distribution, and interpretation. Focusing on visual activism and ethics, we consider how popular portrayals of our own society and of others' both shape and are shaped by hierarchies of value in the material world. Finally, we leave the walls of the classroom to produce home movies of places which others call home - workplaces, temporary shelters, artistic environments, and so forth.

Prereq: Anthropology 105 and 4 additional credits in Anthropology department