Course - Anthropology and the contemporary - SANT1025
Anthropology and the contemporary
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
This course will give insights into how anthropologists understand, study, and analyze the contemporary, and lay the foundation for discussions around the role of anthropology in today’s world.
The course will present different diagnoses of the contemporary, such as neoliberalism, the Anthropocene, and post-colonialism, as well as tendencies in how contemporary anthropology relates to what we study. We will explore a tendency an attempt in the field at the same time to uncover power structures that lead to suffering for a lot of people and to highlight the things people do to make life better for themselves.
The course will be updated in response to current affairs and present anthropology about pressing contemporary issues.
The course will also open for discussion about the role of anthropologists and the field of anthropology in the world today. Throughout the last few decades, the field has turned away from earlier views of the researcher as an observer who can produce neutral knowledge. Today, there are many other ways of carrying out the role of anthropologists, including the anthropologist as activist, the anthropologist as system critic, as ally, and as participant in public management.
By looking at the different roles anthropologists can take, we will be able to discuss questions about what ways and to what extent anthropologists can or should be involved with what we study.
Learning outcome
Learning outcome
A student who has completed the course is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
- Knowledge about how anthropologists analyze different aspects of the contemporary world
- Knowledge of a selection of thematic areas in recent anthropology
- Insight into the different roles anthropologists envision for the field in today’s world
Skills
- Ability to approach current events in an anthropological way
- Ability to critically discuss the role of anthropology and anthropologists in today’s world
General competence
- Ability to communicate academic material through presentations and writing
- Ability to plan and carry out a group project
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and seminars.
Please note that mandatory activities and lectures may start prior to the registration deadline.
Compulsory assignments
- Group project with presentation
Further on evaluation
More information about the compulsory activity is available on Canvas at the start of the semester. Compulsory activity must be approved in order to be eligible to take the exam.
The portfolio consists of two elements: 1, a writing assignment which you individually develop something from the mandatory group project, 1000-1100 words, and 2, an analytical paper, 1600-1800 words. Prompt will be given towards the end of the semester. More information will be given on Canvas and in class.
The exam can be delivered in Norwegian, English or another Scandinavia language.
Retake exam
It is possible to retake the exam. The examination is offered both semesters. The mandatory assignments can only be taken during the same semester in which the course is being taught, so in order to retake the exam during a different semester, your assignments will need to be approved beforehand.
Recommended previous knowledge
SANT1020 and SANT1024
Course materials
The reading list will be available at the beginning of the semester.
Subject areas
- Social Sciences
- Social Anthropology