course-details-portlet

SANT2020 - Anthropology of Technology

About

New from the academic year 2018/2019

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Portfolio assessment and Written exam
Grade: Letters

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Mappevurdering 50/100
Skriftlig eksamen 50/100 4 hours E

Course content

What does it mean to be human in the age of technology? In this course you will get a theoretical and practical introduction to the anthropology of technology, with an emphasis on exploring concrete technologies in different contexts. Relevant examples are advanced technologies for representation and communication (like VR/AR), technologies of production (like ICT/nanotech vs machines/tools), gene technologies and technologies of re-production (like surrogacy). In this way, questions about how technology is part of human relationships is raised: in how humans understand reality, in the deep structures of society, and in how technology gives and has given new development opportunities and dreams of the future.

Learning outcome

You will understand technology as artefact, as a field of knowledge and as a worldview. Based on this you will be able to conduct anthropological analyses on technology in the social, where constructive-critical reflection and precise argumentation is emphasised.

In order to actualize research questions, theory and method discussions – teaching activities will be conducted in relevant technological contexts. By participant observation, you will be encouraged to reflect upon your encounters with technology, which will enhance understanding regardless of how comfortable you are with modern technology. You will work with and in a technological environment, and this course seeks to provide both theoretical and practical relevant learning outcomes.

Learning methods and activities

The teaching is structured as lectures and seminars where the students will form groups that enter different technological settings and conduct technology-anthropological analyses.

Parts of the teaching will take place as experimenting in a cooperative lab that is used to support operations at the International Spacestation (ISS). There will be Norwegian and international guest lecturers from relevant sectors of industry and research milieus.
SANT2020, SANT2021, SANT2024, AFR2120 og SANT3508: Minimum one 15 credits will be offered in the spring semester. Which course/s that is offered will be announced at the beginning of the spring semester. The announcement will be made at the Department and on the Department's web page.

Compulsory assignments

  • Minifeltarbeid

Further on evaluation

Contents of the portfolio will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

See reading list available at the beginning of the semester

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2018

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2019

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Social Sciences
  • Social Anthropology
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Social Anthropology

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio assessment and Written exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Mappevurdering 50/100

Release
2018-11-16

Submission
2018-11-23

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Autumn ORD Skriftlig eksamen 50/100 E 2018-12-17 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL274 Sluppenvegen 14 0
SL111 brun sone Sluppenvegen 14 0
SL110 lilla sone Sluppenvegen 14 0
Spring ORD Mappevurdering 50/100

Release
2019-04-26

Submission
2019-05-03

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Skriftlig eksamen 50/100 E 2019-05-28 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL120 orange sone Sluppenvegen 14 0
SL311 lyseblå sone Sluppenvegen 14 0
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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