Overview
An introduction to the political and ethical implications of anthropological representation combining readings of selected ethnographic films, books and anthropological theory.
This paper explores the conventional and creative ways that anthropologists ‘speak’ to a range of audiences – including other scholars and the public – through mediums including books, articles, photo essays and films.
Ethnographic writing often employs a rich, narrative and sensory style; its evocative and layered approach helping us understand and interpret other lifeways and worldviews. Meanwhile, in a mediascape of soundbites, ethnographic film is known for longer scenes, dwelling with people, places and events. Exploring such approaches, in this paper we ask questions including:
- What is truth, and how do anthropologists seek to capture and challenge it?
- How do anthropologists show greater meaning from specific details, linking the particular with the general and back again?
- How do anthropologists advocate for change?
About this paper
| Paper title | Translating Culture |
|---|---|
| Subject | Anthropology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- ANTH 103 or ANTH 105 or 54 points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Contact
- More information link
Please visit the Programme of Social Anthropology
- Teaching staff
- Teaching Arrangements
One two-hour lecture per week, and one tutorial per week.
- Textbooks
Course readings are provided through eReserve on Blackboard.
- Course outline
Will be available on Blackboard at the start of the course.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Appreciate a range of challenges and complexities in communicating and translating culture through written and audio-visual means.
- Critically analyse the construction of ethnographic texts and visual media, particularly in relation to truth claims, author reflexivity, narrative, exposition and representation.
- Understand how ethnographic writing and audio-visual approaches relate to the history of anthropology and the social sciences, particularly to debates around ethics, objectivity and outreach.
Overview
An introduction to the political and ethical implications of anthropological representation combining readings of selected ethnographic films, books and anthropological theory.
This paper explores the conventional and creative ways that anthropologists "speak" to a range of audiences, including other scholars and the public, through mediums including books, articles, photo essays and films.
Ethnographic writing often employs a rich, narrative and sensory style; its evocative and layered approach helping us understand and interpret other lifeways and worldviews. Meanwhile, in a mediascape of soundbites, ethnographic film is known for longer scenes, dwelling with people, places and events. Exploring such approaches, in this paper we ask questions including:
- What is truth, and how do anthropologists seek to capture and challenge it?
- How do anthropologists show greater meaning from specific details, linking the particular with the general and back again?
- How do anthropologists advocate for change?
About this paper
| Paper title | Translating Culture |
|---|---|
| Subject | Anthropology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- ANTH 103 or ANTH 105 or 54 points
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Contact
- More information link
Visit the Programme of Social Anthropology website for more information.
- Teaching staff
- Teaching Arrangements
One 2-hour lecture per week and one tutorial per week.
- Textbooks
Course readings are provided through eReserve on Aoroa.
- Course outline
The course outline will be available on Aoroa at the start of the course.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Appreciate a range of challenges and complexities in communicating and translating culture through written and audio-visual means.
- Critically analyse the construction of ethnographic texts and visual media, particularly in relation to truth claims, author reflexivity, narrative, exposition and representation.
- Understand how ethnographic writing and audio-visual approaches relate to the history of anthropology and the social sciences, particularly to debates around ethics, objectivity and outreach.