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  3. Beauty as Ethnographic Practice

Beauty as Ethnographic Practice (ANTH30019)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 2
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What makes iPhones, Valentino’s dresses, Le Corbusier’s buildings, and Monet’s paintings “beautiful”? This subject explores the social, cultural, and political forces that define beauty in a variety of domains, which include urban spaces, interior design, fashion, and art. In this subject, students will engage in research projects in which they collaboratively explore real life situations. Students will interact with professionals in the design and creative industries, examine the creative processes that generate “beauty,” and gather insights about the unintended consequences of design products. The subject will deepen students’ ability to develop work-ready skills and allow them to explore theoretical insights through ethnographic practice.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of how anthropologists approach beauty, and processes of form-making such as design and architecture, as objects of study.
  • Critically analyze and compare theories about the diverse social and cultural meanings of aesthetics, beauty, and design.
  • Conduct research projects to acquire first-hand knowledge of the interplay between form and application, design ideals and technological implementations, architecture and social needs.
  • Articulate how political and economic processes shape and are shaped by emerging aesthetics trends.
  • Communicate effectively in written and oral formats, and collaborate in groups with people of diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds.

Last updated: 3 November 2022