Visual Sociology and Anthropology

2025/2026

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

Delivered at:

Department of Sociology

Course type:

Elective course

When:

3 year, 1, 2 module

Instructor

Omelchenko, Dmitry

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The Visual Sociology course is specifically designed for undergraduate students, providing an in-depth exploration of the primary aspects of utilizing visual methods in social research. Throughout the course, students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of visual sociology, as well as the methodologies for collecting and analyzing visual data. Additionally, they will develop practical skills in applying these methods within real-world research contexts. The course draws upon over two decades of experience of the instructor as a visual sociologist and anthropologist in fieldwork settings, yielding tangible outcomes. It will be particularly engaging for students interested in the practical application of key skills essential for a visual researcher, including observation, documentation, interpretation, systematization, and analysis. While the course primarily focuses on qualitative methodologies, it also acknowledges and incorporates the quantitative elements inherent in the visual research paradigm.

Learning Objectives

• Integration of modern information collection tools into social research design

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Scientific and journalistic/creative approaches to visual data are distiguished by the student
• Gains key concepts, history and trends of visual sociology/anthropology
• Understanding the role of visual data in social research and their difference from textual methods.
• Students analyze ethical dilemmas: respondents' consent to filming and possible consequences, privacy vs. public availability of data, and the manipulative potential of visual materials.
• Students learn basic methods of collecting visual data: photo (including hidden and participant photography), video ethnography (from observation to interviews), and mapping of social spaces
• Distinguish different types of visual data (photos, videos, infographics, and maps) and their role in qualitative and quantitative research.
• Creating their own short video/photo project
• Experience the role of the researcher as a "co-participant" in the visual narrative.
• Explore the basic techniques of filming: static vs. moving camera, working with natural light and sound, choosing camera angles (close-up, medium, general)
• Distinguish between the different genres of video ethnography
• Analyze challenges: the impact of the camera on respondents' behavior, the interpretation of "silent" visual data (gestures, space), and the perception of the material after publication.
• Acquire technical skills: basic editing in video editing software, camera and audio setup in the field. They learn how to conduct interviews with a camera on.
• Principles of integration of quantitative tools into social visual research
• Mastering of modern and alternative tools of visual sociology and anthropology, including the integration of AI.

Course Contents

• Introduction to Visual Sociology
• Visual methods in Sociological Studies
• Videoethnography
• Data visualization in quantitative Sociology
• Current trends and prospects of visual sociology

Assessment Elements

• Preparation and defense of research project
• Writing of essay

Interim Assessment

• 2025/2026 2nd module
  0.7 * Preparation and defense of research project + 0.3 * Writing of essay

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Doing visual ethnography, Pink, S., 2013
• Harper, D. A. (2012). Visual Sociology. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=513481
• Pauwels, L., & Margolis, E. (2011). The SAGE Handbook of Visual Research Methods. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=509324
• Steven Feiner, S. Card, J. Mackinlay, & G. Robertson. (2009). 1812. (Popularized by E Tufte, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.CF0DC995
• Using visual data in qualitative research, Banks, M., 2007
• Visual sociology, Harper, D., 2012
• Визуальная антропология: городские карты памяти, Ярская-Смирнова, Е. Р., 2009
• Визуальная антропология: настройка оптики, Бойцова, О., 2009
• Кино. Визуальная антропология, Грей, Г., 2014
• Что такое визуальная антропология : путеводитель по классике этнографического кино, Утехин, И. В., 2018

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Визуальная социология : фотография как метод исследования: учебник для вузов, Штомпка, П., 2010

Authors

• Omelchenko Dmitrii Anatolevich