SOSANT2000 – Central themes in contemporary anthropology
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course presents central thematic areas and theoretical questions in contemporary anthropological research. It builds on the institute’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.
Recommended previous knowledge
It is recommended that students have completed the following courses:
- SOSANT1090 – Antropologiens historie
- SOSANT1200 – Politisk antropologi
- SOSANT1300 – Economic Anthropology
- SOSANT1400 – Antropologi og religion
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.
Examination
Compulsory elements
- Summary papers of around 500 words before the seminars. Minimum requirement: submission of 5 out of 6 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.
Exam
- 3 summary papers submitted in Inspera as a single document. Students are to choose what they consider their 3 strongest summary papers, revised after feedback in seminars, and submit as their written exam.
Previous exams and examiner guidelines
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
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.
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.