SVF-3115 | UiT

Type of course

The course is compulsory for students admitted to the Master's programme in Visual Anthropology. It is organized in common with the Master’s programme in Social Anthropology.

Course content

The course deals with contemporary themes in social anthropology. Through specific case studies and empirical examples, the course will introduce students to selected anthropological theories, and to their application to real-world situations that anthropologists study. We will introduce and deepen understanding of key anthropological methods and concepts, including ethnography, participant observation, cultural relativism, and comparison, and you will explore how these can be used in the analysis of ethnographic material. In particular the course will explore how both traditional and cutting-edge anthropological approaches can be applied to achieve a better understanding of human relations with each other and with other species. We will also explore how they could contribute to more productive approaches to the complex challenges that define human existence today.

Objectives of the course

Students who successfully complete this course should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge - the candidate:

knows central issues and perspectives in contemporary anthropology.
is able to discuss how theory and methodology is related to one another in specific anthropological projects.
knows the basic conventions of veracity in ethnographic research, including correct use of sources.

Skills - the candidate:

is able to think critically and construct an academic argument
is able to distinguish between empirical material and analytic conceptualizations
is able to apply anthropological theoretical and methodological approaches to specific situations and cases

General competence - the candidate:

is able to make use of anthropological methods and perspectives in the analysis of our contemporary world.
is able to give an independent account of different theoretical approaches in contemporary anthropology

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

The course consists of 20 hours of lectures (10 lectures).

Schedule

Se timeplan

Examination

Examination:	Date:	Duration:	Grade scale:
Off campus exam	19.03.2025 09:00 (Hand out) 26.03.2025 14:00 (Hand in)	7 Days	A–E, fail F

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Re-sit examination

The course is open for re-sit examination if there are students that due to sickness are entitled to a postponed examination.

spring 2025 SVF-3115 Contemporary themes in social anthropology - 10 ECTS