This version of the course guide is provisional until the period for editing the new course guides ends.

Logo UAB

Ethnographic Texts and Media

Code: 107235 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Social and Cultural Anthropology FB 1

Contact

Name:
Jorge Grau Rebollo
Email:
jordi.grau@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

No specific requirements are needed to follow the course


Objectives and Contextualisation

This course develops basic training in Social and Cultural Anthropology.
This course will anlyze concepts and classic fields of anthropology through ethnographic texts and audiovisual sources by placing descriptive and theoretical categories in the historical context of the discipline and by crititcally aprproaching stylistic resources of ethnographic documents.
 After this course, the student will be able:
-
To recognize cultural variability and to prevent the formulation of ethnocentric judgments.
-To manage classic and current ethnographic information sources in order to retrieve relevant data.
-To explain and to present the analytical outcomes of the selected ethnographic corpus.


Learning Outcomes

  1. CM07 (Competence) Apply knowledge of cultural variability and its genesis to overcome ethnocentric projections in the understanding of social and cultural phenomena.
  2. CM10 (Competence) Use an appropriate specific vocabulary in the transmission of basic anthropological information.
  3. KM08 (Knowledge) Recognise social and cultural diversity theoretically and on the basis of specific cases.
  4. SM11 (Skill) Interpret cultural diversity through ethnography and audiovisual sources.
  5. SM12 (Skill) Analyse ethnographical examples of cultural diversity.

Content

Topic 1. Culture, anthropology and otherness.

Topic 2. Audiovisual productions as ethnographic documents.

Topic 3. Ethnography today: contributions of ethnography to the contemporary world.

Topic 4. Ethnographic explorations of life systems and social organization around the world.


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Masterclass and analysis of textual, audiovisual, and archival ethnographic documents 40 1.6
Type: Supervised      
Tutorials 3.5 0.14
Type: Autonomous      
Information search (archives, repositories, etc.) 20 0.8
Personal study and preparation of work 39 1.56
Readings and viewings 20 0.8

Teaching Methodology:

  • Master classes supported by information and communication technologies 
  • Presentation and guidelines for the autonomous search of documentation in files, databases ethnographic and work preparation.
  • Viewing and discussion of ethnographic documentaries.
  • Preparation of reviews and bibliographical works (individual and/or group) based on a guide for their elaboration.
  • Preparation of diagrams, concept maps and summaries.

 Formation activities:

  • Theoretical classes and discussion sessions oriented to audiovisual and written documents.
  • Directed work sessions in computer and multimedia classrooms.
  • Definition and disciplinary genesis of keywords and concepts.
  • Simulations of searching and emptying ethnographic data in multimedia formats.
  • Comprehensive reading and discussion of texts and analysis of audiovisual products with ethnographic content. Individual study and team discussion prior to the presentation of work.
  • Preparation of works in virtual teaching-learning environments. 

 

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exam 40 2 0.08 CM07, CM10, KM08
Group work 40 17.5 0.7 CM07, CM10, KM08, SM11, SM12
In class activities 20 8 0.32 CM07, SM11, SM12

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT:

 

The subject will be evaluated through three modules:

 

  1. Exam: Theoretical and methodological content was worked on throughout the course. 40%. Information regarding the exam will be available in the Moodle of the subject.
  2. Teamwork. 40%. The characteristics of the work and the necessary guidelines for its completion will be available in the Moodle of the subject.  
  3. Continuous assessment activities in the classroom: 20%. The characteristics, activities and guidelines necessary for their completion will be available in the Moodle of the subject. This is not achievable without continuous attendance in the classroom. This activity is not recoverable.
 

Procedure for reviewing grades awarded

On carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.

 

Reassesssment

To participate in the recovery process, it is necessary to obtain a minimum grade in the subject's average of 3.5/10.

You cannot retake a test that has not been previously evaluated (i.e. you cannot go directly to the exam or work retake – remember that classroom activities are not retrievable).

To be eligible for the retake, students must have been evaluated in at least two of these three activities, and one of them must be the exam or work.

Those evaluation acts in which there have been irregularities (copying, misuse of AI, etc.) could not be reassessed.

 

Conditions for the 'Not Assessable' Rating

The student will receive the "Not assessed" grade as long as they have not submitted more than 30% of the evaluation activities.

 

Plagiarism or fraudulent conduct

In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

Remember that those evaluationacts with irregularities (copying, misuse of AI, etc.) could not be reassessed.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools

This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as bibliographic search or search for information (excluding the use of EHRAFs), translation of texts and the generation of duly identified images or graphic results that are relevant to the work or assessment activities in the classroom. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.

 

Single Assessment (SA)

On the single assessment date, students who take the single assessment must:

1. Take an exam on the content of the subject and the readings selected in the dossier. (40%)

2. Develop a work that will consist of three parts:

  1. Processing and analysis of the information provided by the teacher (5%).
  2. Searching for information in ehraf files and selecting sources (15%)
  3. Comparison of the information filtered through the ehraf with that provided by the teacher (15%)

It will, therefore, be necessary for them to have a computer or device connected to the Internet.

3. Once this part is finished, an oral test will be held where they will have to answer questions about theoretical, methodological and technical aspects of the procedure followed. (25%)

 

Length (SA):

The joint duration of these tests may exceed 4 hours, so they may not coincide with the usual teaching slot.

 

Procedure for reviewing grades awarded (SA):

At the time of each assessment activity, the teacher will inform the students (Moodle) of the procedure and the date of review of the grades.

Consideration of "Not assessable" (SA):

Students who do not complete tests 1 and 2 on the day and time established as the single evaluation test will be NOT ASSESSED.

 

Reassessment (SA):

The same recovery system will be applied for continuous evaluation.

 

Plagiarism/irregularities (SA):

Thesame actions apply as in the case of continuous evaluation.

 


Bibliography

On-line database (ethnographic archive) (for full access you must connect through the UAB Campus or through the procedure to access the UAB electronic resources explained here):

Required reading:

  • BOHANNAN, Laura (1998 [1996]). "Shakespeare en la Selva", in Boivin, Mauricio, Rosato, Ana and Arribas, Victoria (eds.) (1998). Constructores de otredad. Buenos Aires: Eudeba; pp: 75-80. [Original: Bohannan, Laura (1966) "Shakespeare in the bush" Natural History, 75: 28-33. Available online.
  • CHIO, Jenny. (2021) 2023. "Visual anthropology". In Felix Stein (ed) The Open Encyclopedia of Anthropology. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Anthropology. Available online.
  • GRAEBER, David (2104 [2011]). In debtAn alternative history of economics. Ariel: Barcelona. [Chapter 1: "On the Experience of Moral Confusion", pp: 7-31; Available online].
  • KROTZ, Esteban. (1994). "Alteridad y pregunta antropológíca". Alteridades, 4 (8): 5-11. Available online.
  • MALINOWSKI, Bronislaw (1986 [1922]) ""Introducción: objeto, método y finalidad de esta investigación", a Los Argonautas del Pacífico Occidental,  Vol.1. Barcelona: Planeta. pp. 19-42. Available online.

 

General bibliography:

It is recommended to have a general anthropology manual on hand for the follow-up of the course. You can use, for example, any of the following: 

  • ANTA FÉLEZ, José Luis; LAGUNAS ÁRIAS, David. (2002) Introducción a la Antropología Social. Pachuca (México): Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo. 
  • BEATTIE, John. (1978) Otras culturas. México D.F.: F.C.E. 
  • BOHANNAN, Paul. (1992) Para raros, nosotros. Introducción a la antropología cultural. Madrid: Akal. 
  • EMBER, Carol; EMBER,Melvin. (1997) Antropología cultural. Madrid: Prentice Hall. 
  • FRIGOLÉ, Joan. [et al.] (1995) Antropologia Social. Barcelona : Proa. 
  • HARRIS, Marvin. (2004 [1981]) Introducción a la antropología general. Madrid: Alianza. 
  • KOTTAK, Conrad. Ph. (2007) Espejo para la humanidad. Introducción a la antropología cultural. Madrid: McGraw-Hill. Tercera edición. 
  • LLOBERA, Josep Ramon. (1999) Manual d’antropologia social. Barcelona: Àgora, Edicions de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. 

As for Anthropology dictionaries, you can use, among others, the following:

  • AGUIRRE, Ángel. (Ed). (2018) Diccionario temático de antropología social. Madrid: Delta Publicaciones.
  • BONTE, Pierre; IZARD, Michael; ABÉLÈS, Marion [et al] (1996) Diccionario de Etnología y Anrtopología. Madrid: Akal.  
  • GRESLE, François [et al] (1994)Dictionnaire des sciences humaines : sociologie, anthropologie. Paris : Fernand Nathan.  
  • ORTÍZ GARCÍA, Carmen; SÁNCHEZ GÓMEZ, Luis Ángel (Eds.) (1994) Diccionario histórico de la Antropología Española. Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Departamento de Antropología de España y América. 

The filmography that we will work on in the subject will be posted on Moodle at the beginning of the course.

Any news in this regard will be communicated promptly through the Moodle of the subject.

 

 Thematic bibliography, for general consultation:

  • ARDÉVOL, Elisenda. (2006). La búsqueda de una mirada: Antropología visual y cine etnográfico. Editorial UOC.
  • GRAU, JORGE (2002). Antropología audiovisual. Bellaterra.
  • GRAU, Jorge (2020). Posverdad y ficción. Barcelona: Bellaterra.
  • HEUSCH, Luc de. (2006). Jean Rouch et la naissance de l’anthropologie visuelle. L’Homme. Revue française d’anthropologie180, 180.
  • LEVINSON, David (Ed.), (1991) Encyclopedia of world cultures (1–10). Human Relation Area Files Inc.; G.K. Hall & Co; MacMillan Inc,.
  • MALINOWSKI, Bronislaw. (1989). Diario de campo en Melanesia.Ediciones Júcar.
  • MALLART, Lluís(2021). Sóc fill dels evuzok: La vida d’un antropòleg al Camerun (Primera edició a Debutxaca). Debutxaca.
  • MARGOLIS, Eric i PAUWELS, LUC. (Eds) (2011). The SAGE handbook of visual research methods. SAGE.
  • PINK, Sarah (2024).Etnografía visual. Madrid: Ediciones Morata. Cuarta edicion

 

 

 

 


Software

Office Suite: Microsoft Office, LibreOffice, Iwork, etc.
Bibliographic Manager: Zotero or similar.
The use of a free video and audio editing program (it can be Microsoft PowerPoint itself or equivalent) is recommended.


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed