Every community has stories worth listening to. Every person has knowledge worth sharing. Our central question has alway been, how do people live and what gives meaning to thier lives?
Since we are always big on sharing and production of knowledge, we have designed a curriculm that allows us to engange in meaniful ways.
We’re always happy to explain our thinking. But if we are changing the narrative, we must also change the process. The stories we tell are shaped by how they are gathered, who is involved, and who holds the power. If we are responsible for representing communities, then communities must lead the method.
Curriculum: Visual Anthropology, Visual Ethnography & Documentary Storytelling
Bridging Academic Research and Public Storytelling
Program Structure
The curriculum is organized into three progressive stages
Stage I — Seeing
Foundations of Visual Anthropology – how culture can be understood through observation
Stage II — Understanding
Visual Ethnography – Moving beyond taking photographs to conducting ethnographic research
Stage III — Making Meaning
Documentary Storytelling. Research becomes narrative.
Research Methods
Participants receive practical research training.
Photography Practice
Technical skills are integrated into every module.
Storytelling Lab
Story Contextualization and development.
Community Engagement
Research is conducted with communities rather than about communities.
Publication Studio
Research is conducted with communities rather than about communities.
Professional Practice
Usefulness in real life practice.
Capstone Project
Completes a long long term documentary research project.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching Model
The curriculum is built on learning by doing. Every module combines classroom discussion with field immersion, mentorship, and public presentation. Spend as much time in communities as they do in workshops, ensuring that theory and practice continuously inform one another.
This approach reflects the philosophy of The Locals Research & Storytelling Exchange:
Research should not end in academic journals, and photography should not end as beautiful images. That is our bridge, a way of generating knowledge, preserving memory, influencing policy, and strengthening communities through ethical, collaborative storytelling.
