SOSANT2000 – Central themes in contemporary anthropology

Course content

This course presents central thematic areas and theoretical questions in contemporary anthropological research. It builds on the Department’s basic BA courses and aims to lay a foundation for further specialization, first through the bachelor essay and, eventually, in the Masters course and fieldwork.

The course covers a range of more recent anthropological topics such as:

  • Globalisation
  • Migration
  • Neoliberalism
  • Nature/Culture
  • Science and Technology
  • Infrastructure
  • Media and Publics
  • Bureaucracy
  • Legacies of Colonialism and New Colonialisms

The lectures will situate these topics in the history of anthropology, but the course focuses in particular on recent texts, which broadly illustrate contemporary scholarship.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

  • Overview of contemporary key areas and central texts
  • Overview of important theoretical and methodological directions
  • Understanding of theoretical diversity in contemporary anthropology
  • Understanding of connections between diverse theoretical orientations

Skills

  • Ability to place contemporary anthropological texts in relation to earlier orientations
  • Personal theoretical, methodological and thematic interests within a disciplinary context
  • Ability to appreciate disciplinary diversity, and place ones interests within wither theoretical orientations

General competence

  • Be able to present social scientific material clearly and analytically
  • Ability to critically interrogate others’ anthropological studies

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

SOSANT1000 – Innf?ring i sosialantropologi or equivalent.

It is recommended that students have completed the following courses:

Overlapping courses

  • 10 credits overlap with SOSANMTL.
  • 10 credits overlap with SOSANT200.
  • 10 credits overlap with SOSANT2000P.

Teaching

This course combines lectures and seminars throughout the semester. Submissions in Canvas and participation in the seminars are necessary to meet the compulsory requirements.

Compulsory elements

  • Summary papers of around 500 words before the seminars. Minimum requirement: submission of?3?summary papers in Canvas by the announced deadlines.
  • At least one oral presentation in class or by uploaded recording.

Summary papers and oral presentation will be assessed as ‘Approved/Not approved’. Students must have their summary papers and oral presentation approved in order to sit for the exam.

Compulsory activities must be approved and the exam passed in the same semester.

Absence from compulsory activities

In case of illness or other valid reasons, you may in some cases be granted valid absence or postponement of compulsory activities.

Examination

Students are graded on the basis of a take-home exam. The exam paper must be minimum 2500 words and maximum 3500 words including cover page and foot- or endnotes.

Examination support material

All exam support materials are allowed during this exam. Generating all or parts of the exam answer using AI tools such as Chat GPT or similar is not allowed.

Language of examination

You may submit your summary papers in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

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.

Also see?Grading guidelines in social anthropology.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) Dec. 22, 2024 3:40:35 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Bachelor
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
English

Contact

SV-info