AANB05082U Anthropology and the Environment

Volume 2014/2015
Content

In this course the main objective is to explore the interface between nature and society. Even though anthropology has mainly focused on social life and social relationships, it has also made a significant contribution to analyzing the entanglement of natural and social processes. With the current emphasis on climate change and environmental challenges of many other kinds, such analysis is ever more pressing.

Through the presentation of ethnographic cases (mostly) fresh from the field, and by allowing ample time for discussion of various analytical and theoretical viewpoints, the ambition is to show how it is no longer possible to think of ‘nature’ as something beyond social life.

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

- Identify central themes in environmental anthropology;

- Analyze concrete cases of environmental change;

- Theorize the intertwinement of natural and social processes;

- Reflect on the methodological implications of this intertwinement;

- Apply the acquired analytical skills on new empirical cases.

BSc-, Credit-, Open Education and all international students: 500 pages obligatory literature.
MSc students: 500 pages obligatory literature + 200 pages of literature chosen by students

Literature chosen by students must be relevant to the course’s subject matter.

Course literature will be available in Absalon on the course website

This course is a specialized course; Erasmus/exchange- , credit- an Open University students who have completed a minimum 90 ECTS of anthropological subjects, including introduction to history of anthropological theory and methodology in Anthropology may also apply. Documentation is required.
Classes, presentations of ethnographic cases, theoretical discussions
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 35
  • Exercises
  • 10
  • Lectures
  • 23
  • Preparation
  • 133
  • Seminar
  • 5
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Obligatory portfolio assignments: The course lecturer determines the number and length of portfolio assignments. A minimum of 75% thereof will be assessed as the exam. At the end of the course, the lecturer will announce upon which portfolio assignments the assessment will be based.
Exam registration requirements
To pass the course, it is a requirement that the student is present for at least 75% of the classes as part of their exam for the course. Lecturers will keep an attendance list.

Each student is expected to make 4 presentations (either individually or jointly with others) during the course and related to the major themes discussed. These presentations will add up to the portfolio that must be submitted at the end of the course.

At the final seminar, group presentations must be given. The subjects are optional and may reflect particular interests, regional and analytical. Preferably, they should relate to actual cases or monographs beyond those presented during the course.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
1. & 2. Re-exam
For written exams:
A new essay/portfolio with a revised problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
For oral exams:
A revised synopsis with a new problem statement is submitted at the announced date. The students must hereafter participate in a new oral exam at the announced date. The student must register for the re-exam.
Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome