Majors

Visual Anthropology (B.A.)

The Bachelor’s degree in Visual Anthropology at USC Dornsife allows students to combine anthropology’s toolkit for the rigorous study of culture and society, with training in the production, history, and theory of ethnographic documentary film.

In the Visual Anthropology Major, students are encouraged to embark on independent research projects where they not only gain insights into diverse cultural contexts but also employ a diverse range of media tools. From crafting documentary videos that capture the essence of their subjects to creating compelling photo essays that tell powerful visual stories, students explore innovative ways to engage with their research topics.

The Visual Anthropology B.A. opens doors to a dynamic field where traditional anthropological methods converge with the modern era’s digital storytelling and multimedia capabilities. Students learn how to conduct ethnographic research, refine their analytical skills, and interpret their findings through visual narratives, thereby extending the reach of anthropology beyond academic circles to a broader public audience. The major prepares students for careers in media, museums and heritage, fine arts, publicity, marketing, and beyond.

Visual Anthropology Majors take seven courses (28 units) in Anthropology.

  • The following courses must be completed by all Visual Anthropology Majors.

    Required Courses, Lower-Division (4 units):

    • ANTH 263g Exploring Culture through Film

    Required Courses, Upper-Division (8 units):

    • ANTH 410 Ethnographic Research Methods
    • ANTH 440 History of Anthropological Theory

  • Students must complete two Visual Anthropology courses from the following list:

    • ANTH 470 Multimodal Methods in Visual Anthropology (Note: ANTH 470 can be taken as either a course option OR as a Senior Capstone Course option. For it to count as the latter Capstone, students have to inform the instructor by the drop/add deadline.)
    • ANTH 472 Photo-Ethnography 
    • ANTH 475 Anthropological Film Analysis
    • ANTH 476 Ethnographic Film Theory from an Historical Perspective
    • ANTH 575 Seminar in Ethnographic Film (Note: ANTH 575 requires departmental approval, or an A- or higher in either ANTH 410 or ANTH 440 as prerequisite.)

  • One additional Anthropology elective. The Course Catalog lists the recommended electives for the Visual Anthropology Major.

  • Students must submit a proposal for departmental approval prior to enrolling in the 4-unit senior capstone seminar course.

    The following are approved capstone seminar courses for the Visual Anthropology Major:

    • ANTH 411 Thesis Seminar in Ethnographic Analysis 
      Offered irregularly:
    • ANTH 470 Multimodal Methods in Visual Anthropology(Note: ANTH 470 can be taken as either a course option OR as a Senior Capstone Course option. For it to count as the latter Capstone, students have to inform the instructor by the drop/add deadline.)

Contact Details

Questions?

To learn more about the curriculum for the Visual Anthropology Major contact Prof. Jenny Cool, cool@usc.edu.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Visual Anthropology Major at USC, contact Anthropology Undergraduate Advisor Kim Vinson, vinson@usc.edu.