Visual, Sensory and Digital Anthropology (860L6)

30 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the imaginative worlds that we inhabit through visual, other sensory and digital media. You’ll investigate how they form a part of everyday practices. You’ll also examine how researchers have used these tools to understand, collaborate and represent these practices.

Drawing on examples by anthropologists and others, you’ll cover a wide range of case studies from across the world. This includes ethnographic, activist and creative examples.

Through contextual case studies, you’ll gain theoretical, ethnographic and practical insights on media, from production to reception. Case studies include:

  • photography
  • film
  • graphic narratives
  • soundscapes
  • performances
  • virtual media.

You’ll develop critical insights and skills in key issues on the relationships between media and cultural contexts.

Teaching

26%: Lecture (Film)
74%: Practical (Workshop)

Assessment

40%: Coursework (Portfolio)
60%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 267 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.