ANTH 2130 6.0 - Anthropology Through the Visual
Drawing upon images produced by anthropologists, journalists, filmmakers, photographers, artists, and activists, this seminar-style course asks questions about how the ways in which the making, display, and consumption of images shape and challenge understandings of self, community, and others. Topics will include race, ethnicity, nationality, globalization, power, authority, politics, religion, gender, class, and sexuality.
Based in Lisbon, this course will explore the visual worlds and vibrant visual lives of the city and it's diverse people. Teaching will be undertaken experientially through walks through historic neighbourhoods, coastal parks, eco-zones, industrial sites, and other locations, visits to galleries, museums, archives, and art centres, and conversational sessions with local artists, activists, and journalists.
Using ethnography, film, video, visual art, photography and new media students will explore issues of race, ethnicity, nationality, globalization, power, authority, politics, religion, gender, class, and sexuality in the context of Lisbon’s history and contemporary life. For their final assignment, students will produce an independent creative project such as a visual diary, sound walk, or multi-media artwork.
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Applications for this course will be accepted until January 23, 2026 at 12 p.m. EST.
Students must use their YorkU e-mail address to apply as e-mail addresses from outside the York organization are not supported by the application platform. If your @my.yorku.ca e-mail address is not working, please input your YorkU e-mail address using only @yorku.ca.
Prerequisites: None. Anthropology majors may have preference.
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Course Dates:
June 23 - 25, 2026 at York; July 6 - 25, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal
Course Director:
Prof. Zulfikar Hirji, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology (zhirji@yorku.ca).
Enrolment: Min. 10 students, max. 18 students
Program Costs
| Cost | Details | |
| Estimated Program Fee | TBA (based on 10 students) | Included in program fee: accommodations in Portugal, all site visits and excursions, day trip to Sintra, welcome and farewell meal, professor-related costs (travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals).
**Program fee subject to change based on final number of students and final course itinerary. |
| Additional Costs | ||
| Flights to/from Lisbon | $1,200 | Estimate. Depends on departure location and date of purchase. |
| Guard.me Travel Insurance | $100 | Estimate. Students are required to purchase Guard.me insurance. |
| Spending money | $1,000 | Variable. All students should budget additional funds for meals, transportation, gifts, personal travel, etc. |
| York University Tuition (Domestic) | $1,478.76 | Approximate based on Summer 2025 LA&PS tuition fees for 6.0 credits in LA&PS courses. Subject to change based on program. |
| York University Tuition (International) | $7,693.92 | Approximate based on Summer 2025 LA&PS tuition fees for 6.0 credits in LA&PS courses. Subject to change based on program. |
| Approximate Total Program Costs (subject to change) | ||
| Domestic Students | TBA | |
| International Students | TBA | |
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Hear from our Students!
Experiencing Portugal through the study abroad program was truly a rewarding experience that included hands-on opportunities and allowed for meaningful engagements with guest speakers such as local street artists. Truly incredible- a life changing experience!”
— Grace De Pasqua, ANTH 2130, Portugal, Summer 2025
Learn More
For more information, students can connect with LA&PS Study Abroad Coordinator (studyabr@yorku.ca).