This text is translated from Norwegian using UiO GPT.
– Which teaching program would you like to highlight for your colleagues at the faculty right now?
– I'd like to highlight the BA course SOSANT2600 "Anthropology in Practice" as a very exciting course currently being offered. The course is quite unique in its effort to connect students with the workforce while simultaneously maintaining and expanding the idea of what anthropology is. In response to student feedback about finding it challenging to see the practical value of anthropology outside academia, the course aims to illuminate students' competencies and provide them with tools to "market themselves" in the job market. The teaching setup is therefore similar to seminars, focusing on dialogue with (and between) students. We also have guest lecturers who share how their background in anthropology has benefited them in their careers.
– Who are you collaborating with?
– In this course, I am collaborating with Thomas Jacobsen, who offers valuable insights from his personal experiences with job applications. In the other course I am responsible for this semester, SOSANT1090 "History of Anthropology," I am collaborating with Jenny Frogner, who has a sharp and profound perspective on the syllabus texts and their context. Both courses owe much to the thoughts and ideas of Marianne Lien (2600) and Tom Bratrud (1090).
– What do you think are the three most important factors for successful teaching in the subject?
– I believe the three most important factors for successful teaching are "rapport" with the students, as we say in anthropology, a combination of knowledge and enthusiasm, and clarity. In the best teaching experiences I've had, the students and I have established a sort of flat-hierarchical structure where the students are genuinely interested in what I am discussing, yet feel that the threshold for asking questions and engaging in discussions with me and their peers is very low.
– If you were to give one piece of advice to new teachers at the Faculty of Social Sciences, what would it be?
– My humble advice to new teachers (which I am myself) is to identify what you find interesting about a given subject and try to convey this in an engaging and clear manner – with opportunities for discussion and conversation. And don't overload your PowerPoint slides with too much text.