Master of Philosophy in Visual Anthropology

The programme is organised as a continuous participatory learning process: lectures, screenings, writing and filming assignments, and seminars make up the unique cumulative learning process of the two-year course. Students are encouraged to collaborate with each other in developing skills and understandings throughout the study.

The programme includes various types of examinations and coursework requirements, such as essays, research papers, and film presentations. Please note that some courses have coursework requirements. Only students whose coursework requirements have been approved will be allowed to sit the examination.

Teaching and assessment methods are described in the course plan for each course.

Students are not allowed to use private equipment. The university's film and editing equipment and software must be used in all classes for both coursework assignments and Master's film.

This Master's degree is an intensive programme. All courses are compulsory and demand active participation from the students.

Bachelor's degree social, visual or cultural anthropology and statement of purpose

Admission to the Master of Philosophy in Visual Anthropology requires a Bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification with a minimum of 80 ECTS in anthropology, sociology, ethnology, folklore, cultural studies, visual culture or other closely related fields of study. Applicants must have a minimum grade average comparable to a Norwegian C (2,5) in the ECTS scale.

Applicants should enclose a statement of purpose written in English (maximum of two pages). This statement should include the purpose for and interest in pursuing the master's degree programme, especially why you find visual anthropology interesting. It should also include a short description of a proposed master thesis project. Any experience from film making should also be mentioned in the motivation letter.

Applicants with education from non-Nordic countries must document English language proficiency. You will find more information of English language requirements on our admissions pages.

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is 15 April for admission to the autumn semester
• Her finner du all informasjon knyttet til søking og opptak.

Applicants from EU/EEA and Switzerland:

• The application deadline for EU/EEA and Swiss applicants is 1 March for admission to the autumn semester
• Online application, study code 7165

International applicants from outside EU/EEA:

• The application deadline for international non EU/EEA applicants is 15 November for admission to the autumn semester
• Online application, study code 2038
• You will find more information about international admission here.
• Non-EU students must be prepared to pay tuition fees, more information here

After completing successfully the programme, students are expected to have acquired the following learning outcomes.

Knowledge - the candidate:

• has knowledge of the evolution of the social scientific tradition in general, and advanced knowledge of theoretical perspectives within the field of Visual anthropology especially.
• has a thorough knowledge of the region and/or the field where his/her proper Master project takes place and solid knowledge of the cutting edge of his/her Master project's theme.
• has a thorough knowledge of ethnographic research methodology and the different steps in a research process which involves the use of the video camera.
• can apply the acquired methods and theoretical perspectives in the description and analyses of new areas within the academic field of Visual Anthropology.
• can reflect critically on the use of different filmic languages and narrative structures as `ways of knowing' in specific historical and societal contexts.
• has technical knowledge of how to handle and use the recording and editing equipment for video.

Skills - the candidate:

• can in a systematic way manage, process and analyze critically material from various sources and use them to structure and formulate a written scholarly argument.
• Is able to capture the narrative conceptualizations of their field partners by the use of video and create intelligible narrative strategies with a future audience in mind.
• is able to demonstrate how film and text mutually inform, inspire, and contradict each other, and critically evaluate the role of film in the creation of social scientific knowledge.
• can under supervision carry out an independent research project which makes use of participant observation and audiovisual tools, with applicable norms for research ethics.
• is able to make use of video as a tool in the acquisition and dissemination of social scientific knowledge.

General competences - the candidate:

• is able to identify, analyze and discuss different theoretical and methodological approaches to their own empirical material and apply it in the description and analysis of other sociocultural phenomena.
• masters the language and terminology of visual socio-cultural research and can communicate to colleagues, partners, and public audiences, the methodological/analytical approaches used in- and the final results of- his/her own work.
• is able to build up responsibility towards partners in the field and thereby a profound consciousness of the ethics and potentials for the empowerment of research and dissemination.
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes based on the exploration of the possible potentials of visual and analytical tools.
• is independently able to apply audiovisual tools creatively and critically to enhance/clarify their story narratives within a social science framework.

Students have the possibility to carry out their fieldwork abroad.