Program Overview

Introduction to Material and Visual Culture

The Introduction to Material and Visual Culture module, coded as ANTH0001, is part of the Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences, specifically under the Anthropology teaching department. This module carries a credit value of 30.

Key Information

• Faculty: Faculty of Social and Historical Sciences
• Teaching Department: Anthropology
• Credit Value: 30
• Restrictions: This module is restricted to first-year Anthropology and core for Arch-Anth students. However, spaces are also open to History of Art students.

Alternative Credit Options

This module is offered in several versions with different credit weightings, such as 15 or 30 credits. An alternative version of this module is Introduction to Material and Visual Culture A, coded as ANTH0002.

Description

Module Content

The course introduces various aspects of material and visual culture, which are elaborated upon in later courses. It focuses on the relationship between people and objects, covering topics such as the object, the museum, the artwork, the image, landscape, the built environment, consumption, fashion, digital infrastructure, techniques, and technology. The course combines theoretical and practical approaches.

Learning Outcomes

• To enable students to understand the key principles of material culture studies and its position within anthropology.
• To enable students to understand the relationship between theory and practice, literature and fieldwork within anthropology.
• To enable students to explore the reflexive relationship between subjects and objects.
• To enable students to have a broad understanding of the different branches of material culture studies.
• To enable students to evaluate and interpret anthropological materials.
• To enable students to explore "other ways of telling" through assessments that include traditional essay writing and more experimental techniques.

Delivery Method

The course is taught in two-week blocks, with the first week consisting of two one-hour lectures and a two-hour tutorial, followed by a week with a two-hour lab session. Preparation for tutorials and lab sessions is crucial.

Module Deliveries for 2026/27 Academic Year

• Intended Teaching Term: Terms 1 and 2
• Level: Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 4)

Teaching and Assessment

• Mode of Study: In person
• Methods of Assessment: 100% Coursework (2 assessments)
• Mark Scheme: Numeric Marks

Other Information

• Number of Students on Module in Previous Year: 148
• Module Leader: Dr. Rafael Schacter

Last Updated

This module description was last updated on 10th March 2026.