The Department of Social Science offers a two-year full-time Master's programme in Visual and Multimodal Anthropology. The programme combines lectures in anthropological theory and ethnographic methods, filmmaking and practical instruction in camerawork, with sound recording and editing, writing and evocative storytelling.

You will develop your own anthropological research project as a central part of your master in Visual and Multimodal Anthropology. You choose a fieldsite where you conduct fieldwork and make your video recordings and gather your multimodal material. Working with this material, in addition to written text, gives unique possibilities to share anthropological insights about people and places.  Audiovisual data invites exciting and meaningful communication processes, with protagonists and multiple audiences, leading to novel ways of communicating your ethnographic insights.

Filmmaking is also a time-consuming activity that asks for a lot of practice to master the craft. The first term is organized as a compressed, but complete research and dissemination process centered around practical exercises, a camera -based mini-fieldwork and the editing of a short film story or other multimodal output.  

Your own explorations of research will be supported by classes on ethnographic methodology, ethnographic film history, video technique and cinematographic language.

At the start of the second term, you get the chance to explore further some contemporary themes in anthropology. Storytelling and theory for your master project grows out of your fieldwork and will expand your repertoire of possible interpretations of empirical conditions. In your project description, research questions, methodological approaches and use of audio-visual media will be clarified. Here you will work on your initial ideas and transform them into a feasible project design.

Based on your 3-5 months fieldwork, you write a Master thesis and make a film or other multimodal output. For a complete setup of the program, please see the Program structure below. 

In the MVMA programme students will engage with a variety of audio-visual materials including photographs, films, digital media, and interactive technologies, examining how these can be used to document and interpret cultural practices, social behaviours, and human experience from diverse parts of the world. The program covers the history and development of visual anthropology, the ethical considerations of visual representation, and the impact of new media and technologies on anthropological research and dissemination.

Knowledge  

The candidate  

• has knowledge of the history of the social anthropological tradition in general, and advanced knowledge of theoretical perspectives within the field of Visual and Multimodal anthropology especially.  

• has thorough knowledge of the region and/or the field where his/her Master project takes place and solid knowledge of the cutting edge of their project’s theme.  

• has thorough knowledge of ethnographic research methodologies and the different steps in research processes and the use of a camera.  

• can apply the acquired methods and theoretical perspectives in the description and analyses of new areas within the academic field of Visual and Multimodal 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 audio-visual material.  

Skills  

The candidate  

• can in a systematic way manage, process and analyse critically material from various sources and use them to structure and formulate a written scholarly argument.  

• Is able to capture the narrative conceptualisations of their field partners by the use of audiovisual 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 anthropological 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 audiovisual tools in the acquisition and dissemination of anthropological knowledge.  

General competences  

The candidate  

• is able to identify, analyse and discuss different theoretical and methodological approaches to their own empirical material and apply it in the description and analysis of other sociocultural phenomena.  

• master the language and terminology of 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 have awareness of the ethics and potentials for empowerment of research and dissemination.  

• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes based on the exploration of the potentials of multimodal and analytical tools.  

• is in an independent way able to apply audiovisual tools creatively and critically to enhance/clarify their narratives within an anthropological framework. 

A degree in Visual and Multimodal Anthropology can open doors to a variety of national and international positions in academic research, filmmaking, television, administration, government and non-governmental organisations, journalism, communication, museums, youth and education programs, marketing research.

Studying in this international environment also develops competences in cross-cultural communication as well as valuable assets to several career paths.

Admission to the Master of Philosophy in Visual and Multimodal Anthropology requires a Bachelor 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 with education from non-Nordic countries must document English language proficiency. You will find more information on English language requirements on the UiT webpage for International admissions.

Applicants from Norway or Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for Norwegian and other Nordic applicants is April 15th for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application, application code 5057
• Her finner du all informasjon knyttet til søking og opptak.

Applicants within EU/EEA/Switzerland (except the Nordic countries):

• The application deadline for applicants within EU / EEA / Switzerland is March 1st for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application, study code 7165.
• You will find more information about admission for EU/EAA applicants here.
  

Applicants outside EU/EEA/Switzerland and the Nordic countries:

• The application deadline for applicants outside the EU / EEA / Switzerland and Nordic countries is 15th of November for admission to the autumn semester.
• Online application, study code 2038.
• Applicants in this group has to pay a tuition fee. You can find the prices for the program here.
• You will find more information about admission for Non-EU/EEA applicants here

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

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

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

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

Language of instruction is English.

While the lectures are in English, students can also choose to submit their written thesis in any Scandinavian language. 

On successful completion of the degree programme, students may be qualified for admission to a PhD programme in a number of academic areas at the UiT The Arctic University of Norway or elsewhere.

Students have the possibility to carry out their fieldwork abroad.