AANB05082U Anthropology and the Environment, Introductory course

Volume 2018/2019
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 the analysis of the intertwinement of natural and social processes. With the global concerns about climate change and environmental challenges of many other kinds, such analysis is ever more pressing.

Through the presentation of ethnographic cases, 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 outside of social life. In turn this opens up for a new dialogue with natural sciences.

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course, students must be able to display the following

a) skills:

- an ability to identify central themes in environmental anthropology;

- an ability to analyse concrete cases of environmental change;

- an ability to explain how nature impinges on society in concrete cases;

b) knowledge:

- a mastering of theories of nature/society relations;

- a deep sense of anthropology’s contribution;

c) competences:

- an ability to apply the acquired analytical skills on new cases:

- an ability to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration.

BSc students: 500 pages of mandatory reading.

MSc students: 500 pages of mandatory reading + 200 pages of own choice.

Course literature will be available in Absalon on the course website

Classes, presentations of ethnographic cases, theoretical discussions
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 30
  • Lectures
  • 42
  • Preparation
  • 138
  • Total
  • 210
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Portfolio exam
Length: The portfolio exam can be taken individually or in groups of maximum four students. The portfolio exam consists of 3-7 submissions. The number of submissions is set by the lecturer. The total length of all of the submissions must not exceed 30,000 keystrokes for a single student. For groups of two students the maximum is 40,000 keystrokes. For groups of three students the maximum is 45,000 keystrokes and for groups of four students the maximum is 50,000 keystrokes.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

1. re-exam:

An essay with a revised problem statement must be submitted at the announced date. The students must sign up for the 1. re-exam.

Please note that the re-exam is an essay even for courses, where the ordinary exam is a portfolio exam.

2. re-exam:

A new essay with a revised problem statement must be submitted at the announced date next semester. The students must sign up for the 2. re-exam.

Criteria for exam assesment

See learning outcome