These lectures go into more depth about the methodological and epistemological stakes stemming from the use of ethnographic surveys in present-day societies. We will return to issues of scientific neutrality and ethnocentric vision while taking into account belongingness (notably age and gender.) This course also aims to give students tools to practice ethnography in a digital and multi-localised world.

Taught by Adelina Miranda

This course aims to transmit fundamental concepts used in anthropology of kinship. How are families, which make up the bedrock of any social organisation, made up in different societies? How are different categories of relatives classified and named? How are spouses chosen? How are families perpetuated? How does modernity participate in transforming representations and practices? The objective is to provide a conceptual frame conductive to the achievement of a research project.

Taught by Pascal Bouchery

This course looks at the diversity of forms of religiousness and the force of representations in the social organisation of various societies. Several of the major debates which have structured this field will be discussed: What is a religion? What is “believing”, and can it be ethnographically analysed? What is meant by magic and witchcraft? What is the function of rituals and how can they be interpreted? Etc. These classic debates will serve as opportunities to explore and question contemporary religious vitality: New Religious Movements (NRM), New-Age nebula, Neo-Hinduism, etc.

Anthropology of illness

Anthropology has been linked to the cinema since its origins. By examining several key films which have marked its long history, these lectures introduce the filmmaker to questions of method, of the staging of reality and of construction of otherness raised by ethnographic films and more generally by film anthropology. So doing, we will also look at the issue of the status, function and uses of moving images in anthropology to focus on audiovisual media as an original form of “publication” of ethnographic survey results.

You are strongly recommended to attend the classes on “Writing with Sounds and Images 1” to go with this lecture course.

Taught by Armelle Jacquemot

In order to give meaning to the events and experiences which they relate, all ethnographic films, like documentaries in general, need a narrative structure which the viewers are able to identify rapidly and follow from start to finish. With the aid of extracts of ethnographic films, the course will shed light on various narrative techniques used by well-known directors of ethnographic films. It will also examine the epistemological implications of each of these techniques.

You are strongly advised to choose the course “Visual anthropology” to go with these classes.

Taught by Dr. Armelle Jacquemot

Documentaries and transmission of knowledge

The documentary as a tool of scientific mediation

Deepen your knowledge about the ancient world via a theme which brings together history, history of art and archaeology.

Description and survey in history