M.A. Visual and Media Anthropology
The postgraduate study program M.A. Visual and Media Anthropology was originally developed and offered at Freie University (FU) Berlin from 2010-2019. From the winter semester 2019/20 the VMA program will be offered exclusively at HMKW Berlin University of Applied Sciences.
The contemporary M.A. program equips students with an in-depth knowledge of Visual and Media Anthropology, which is essential to becoming professional documentary filmmakers and documentary photographers. Students will become the leading voices in the fields of digital anthropology for science, TV broadcasts, museums, cultural institutions, film festivals, galleries, online media platforms and governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in the production of audio-visual media for the representation of indigenous, national and transnational culture.
The Visual and Media Anthropology M.A. is conducted online by a diverse team with over a decade of online teaching experience. Distance Learning is offered via LMS Canvas through live-streams of classes, presentations and discussions. Additionally, two optional in-house workshops are offered. Students must assume additional (travel, room) costs arising from in-house workshops (not mandatory) and fieldwork periods. The program was one of the winners of the Best Practice in Online Teaching by CEDIS Center for Digital Systems Freie Universität Berlin.
Overview
| Type | Distance learning (flexible e-learning in virtual classrooms, webinars etc.) |
| Degree | Master of Arts (M.A.) |
| Location | Berlin |
Language | English |
| Tuition fees | 4020,- € per semester (16.080,- € in total for the two year's program) |
Duration | 4 semesters (2 years) |
Start | Winter term (October) |
Ideal Candidates
Applicants: This program is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in any subject.
Target jobs: Documentary filmmaking (theatrical release, video-on-demand, online and TV channels), indigenous media, the new media industry (education games, social media applications and mixed-reality-environments), immersive or virtual reality-technology industry, VR storytelling for educational games, film broadcast & online video industry with a focus on news coverage about cultures worldwide; anthropological questions of artificial intelligence, social analysis of robotic technology, museum and art industries (curators, artists), jobs in governmental and non-governmental organizations in the sector of sustainable development and capacity building in developing and emerging countries with a focus on media usage.
Program Structure and Modules
- First Semester: Basic Modules (30 CP): Visual Anthropology, Media Anthropology
- Second Semester: Profile Modules (30 CP): Basics and Varieties of Ethnographic Film Production, Communication/Mediascapes, Applied Visual & Media Anthropology
- Third Semester: Project Modules (30 CP): Internship, Film- or Media Project
- Fourth Semester: Supervision Courses (30 CP)
Internship
Our students conducted internships in following institutions:
- Berlinale Talentcampus, Berlin
- Stiftung der deutschen Kinemathek, Filmmuseum, Berlin
- Ben & Julia Studio
- Gegenlichtfilm+TV Produktion, Berlin
- Humboldt Forum, Berlin
- Harrison Atelier One, Oakleyville Fire Island Pines, NY
- credo:film Filmproduktion, Berlin
- CCtv China Central Television, Berlin Bureau
- Mus’Art Museum, Kumbo, Cameroon
- AK KRAAK, Filmarchiv und "Tiefsehmagazin"
- The arts therapy group for youth in Evangelisches Johannestift, Berlin
- INTER ARTE, german artists network, Berlin
- Ensemble für Städtebewohner
- Gotanda Film Filmproduktion, Berlin
- Michael Gautsch Filmproduktion", Berlin
- Biografilm Festival, Bologna, Italy
With following artists our students worked together during their internship:
- Mikesch, DOP and film maker, Berlin
- Björn Melhus, video artist and film maker, Berlin
- Johan Grimonpres, "Zap-o-matic"
- Sarah Pucill’s Studio Artist, Filmmaker, Photographer
- Azubuike Erinugha, film maker, Nigeria
Information material
Information flyer (pdf)
Master brochure (pdf)
Module manual (pdf)
Study regulations (pdf)
Examination regulations (pdf)
Admission regulations (pdf)
- How to Apply
- ⟶ Please use our Online Application form
For admission requests, please e-mail vma[at]hmkw.de
Entry requirements
- A very good degree (university or university of applied sciences)
- Proficiency in English (fluent in both written and spoken) is a must
- Participants should have basic technical skills in film, video or photography
- Participants must have adequate electronic equipment in order to deal with various multimedia materials; high-speed Internet access, a fast computer and a personal email account are compulsory. Possession of a basic digital camera and editing software is mandatory.
- All applicants are submitted to an internal assessment process prior to acceptance
- Dr. Albrecht, Judith | Vita
- Aubry, Gilles | Vita
- Prof. Bibel, Nora | Vita
- Blankholm, Laura Na | Vita
- Coons, Jeff | Vita
- Dr. Curran, Mark | Vita
- Dölling, Mark | Vita
- Ercan, Mehmet | Vita
- Findeisen, Janina | Vita
- Gaedtke, Felix | Vita
- Dr. Gan, Gregory | Vita
- Goddinho, Leandro | Vita
- Prof. Dr. Frömming, Urte Undine | Vita
- Prof. Dr. Horn, Roger | Vita
- Kendall, Blake Paul | Vita
- Krahnert, Frauke | Vita
- Dr. Lawrence, Andy | Vita
- Mekonen, Salomon | Vita
- Liberman, Tami | Vita
- Dr. Neis, Dalia | Vita
- Parameswaran, Gayatri | Vita
- Petersen, Kristian | Vita
- Piersing, Karina | Vita
- Dr. Reichel, Christian | Vita
- Rossner, Lidia | Vita
- Rühling, Barbara | Vita
- Voigt, Christina | Vita
- Terry, Mike | Vita
- Dr. Walter, Florian | Vita
- Dr. Wanono, Nadine | Vita