ANTH4115 – Advanced Anthropological Theory
Course content
The course provides students with a broad and advanced level grounding in contemporary anthropological theorization. In addition to introducing students to key theoretical discussions and approaches in the discipline, it presents them with a set of analytical tools and frameworks for theorizing the present moment and for constructing their own research agendas.
The course is divided into two main parts. The first quarter of the course introduces students to recent anthropological discussions on the role and practice of theory in anthropological research, and the history of anthropological theorization. The rest of the course explores recent developments in anthropological theorization through an examination of theoretical approaches and discussions that have animated the discipline in the 21st century.
Themes covered in the course:
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Gender, Sexuality and Kinship
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Religion in a Secular Age
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Anthropology and History
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The State
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Media and Publics
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Capital and Labour
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The Environment and the Anthropocene
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Beyond the Human
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Other Worlds, Other Politics
Learning outcome
Knowledge
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Advanced level overview of key theoretical discussions in contemporary anthropology.
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Appreciation of their relevance for contemporary academic and public policy debates.
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Understanding of ongoing theoretical debates in social anthropology and related disciplines, and the position of the students’ own research in relation to these debates.
Skills???????????
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Ability to summarize and convey advanced theoretical perspectives in anthropology.
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Extensive ability to construct and present an academic argument.
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Ability to write academic texts at an advanced level.
General competence
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Ability to understand and reflect on a variety of theoretical positions in anthropology and to use this understanding to contribute to the construction of a unique research agenda.
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Team-work capability through group discussions and group-presentations.
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Ability to express arguments both in solid academic written prose and through oral presentation.
Admission to the course
Students must be enrolled in the master’s programme in Social Anthropology. Students from MA programmes in other relevant disciplines may apply for admission by sending an email to info-master@sai.uio.no within the regular deadlines.
Teaching
Twelve 3-hour teaching blocks with a combination of lectures and seminars.
Examination
4-day take home exam (2700-3300 words).
Examination support material
All exam support materials are allowed during this exam. Generating all or part of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.