TFF3226 ¨C The Anthropocene: Ecology and Democracy across the Disciplines

Course content

The Anthropocene, the Age of Humans, has been proposed as name for the geological epoch or event we are now entering. Anthropogenic climate change affects the atmosphere, the cryosphere, the oceans, the lakes and the loss of biodiversity as reported by the IPCC Reports 2021-23 (AR6), indicating a new relationship between humans and nature. It has deep impact on how we need to reconsider society, politics, and the human being in the face of climate tipping points and the accelerating polycrisis of the 21st century. The disruption of democratic values in the West requires a rethinking of responses to the climate crisis.
This represents an interdisciplinary challenge for virtually all disciplines, from biology, chemistry, hydrology and geosciences to anthropology, philosophy, theology, history, sociology, literature, religious studies, and psychology. Based on the DEMOCRISIS project combining research from the natural, social and human sciences at the University of Oslo and co-operation with Circle U universities in Berlin, Vienna and Aarhus, this course will provide an opportunity to understand and delve into the transdisciplinary ecological challenges raised in the Anthropocene. It includes an excursion and impressions from ecological field work during the one-week intensive learning week in Oslo.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• to get an overview of key debates on ecology within the natural, social and human sciences

• to interpret texts on interdisciplinary ecology in a critical, constructive, and academically informed manner, both orally and in writing

• to achieve an overview over and insight into central methodological questions within transdisciplinary ecology and the current debate on the Anthropocene

Skills

• the ability to acquire and critically engage with new research contributions in the field.

• actively discussing ecological issues in a group and presenting your results orally and visually to a public audience

General

• participation in the creative research and learning environment, discussing ecological issues with top scholars from various disciplines

• acquiring a network of established and emerging scholars, as well as erudite and engaged students from all over Europe

This course is offered on both Bachelor's and Master's level. The Master's level syllabus will be more comprehensive than that of the Bachelor's level, and a higher level of knowledge and reflection will be expected from the Master students at the written exam, compared to the Bachelor's level students.

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.

Students who are admitted to a bachelor's program at a Circle U. university may apply to the course by submitting their applications in an online form: LINK. The deadline for applications is June 1st, 2025.

Recommended previous knowledge

Completed the first two years of a bachelor program.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with TFF3219 ¨C Tverrfaglig ?kologi i Antropocen.
• 10 credits overlap with TFF4219 ¨C Tverrfaglig ?kologi i Antropocen.
• 10 credits overlap with TFF4226 ¨C The Anthropocene: Ecology and Democracy across the Disciplines.
• 5 credits overlap with TFF2219.

Teaching

The teaching consists of online lectures, onsite lectures, and seminars. Participants are expected to attend the online lectures in transdisciplinary ecology including lectures in biology, geology, philosophy, theology, anthropology, law, medicine, and psychology, and attend the one-week intensive course at the University of Oslo.

The seminars will give more profound understanding of the texts and key concepts within each discipline, as well as transdisciplinary challenges. The working method requires active participation from the students.

Mandatory requirements:

• 2 written assignments (500 words each).

• Attendance at the 5-day program scheduled to take place in Oslo from November 10 to November 14, 2025, is mandatory.

• Active participation in group activities during the program in Oslo is expected.

Examination

Oral group presentation. Ca. 30-45 minutes in groups of 6-8 students.

The examination questions will be given on November 10 and the oral presentation held on Friday November 14, 2025.

?It is not possible to re-sit the exam in another semester.

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Language of examination

The examination questions are given in English, and the oral presentation must be held in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• 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.