Issues in Contemporary Ethnography (856L6)

15 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Autumn teaching

This module explores the imaginative worlds that we inhabit through visual, other sensory, and digital media. You will investigate how they form a part of everyday practices, as well as how researchers have used such tools to understand, collaborate, and represent these practices.

Drawing on empirical material produced by anthropologists and others, it covers a wide range of case studies from across the world, including ethnographic, activist, and creative examples.

The module will provide theoretical, ethnographic, and practical insights on the media from their production, their significance, to their reception. It covers contextual studies of photography, film, graphic narratives, soundscapes, performances, virtual media and more,

The module will equip you with critical insights and skills in key issues on the relationships between media and cultural contexts.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 15 hours of contact time and about 135 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’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.