AANA18140U Alternative Economies and New Forms of Work
BOA specialization
Full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Anthropology
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Political Science
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Psychology
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Economics
- Master Programme in Social Data Science
- Master Programe in Global Development
As life conditions become increasingly uncertain across species and regions of the world, Growth no longer seems to be the answer to the betterment of human conditions. In fact, “The Market” itself is no longer a given, and faith in the invisible hand is withering. As a result, governments, corporations, activists, and organizations worldwide are increasingly looking for new ways of imagining, representing, and enacting economic relations and forms of work.
What are the specific conditions that have led to these critiques? What do these critiques share and how do they differ? And what are the challenges and potentials inherent in the economic alternatives and new forms of work that are being proposed across the world?
This course addresses contemporary critiques and alternatives to the so-called “Economy”: the self-regulating, all-encompassing market force that has ruled – and many would say damaged – the world for the past 200 years. It explores a diversity of markets, forms of work and distribution, production and consumption, trade and currencies that exist, and have long existed, throughout the world, but that are today being championed as better and more sustainable paths for the thriving of life on earth. In other words, it explores visions for how to do economy and work differently.
The course begins by addressing the construction of the Economy in the 19th and 20th centuries in Europe and the United States. It then moves on to explore contemporary critiques of this specific economic worldview, taking inspiration from corporate and public examples, the global South and North, and majority as well as minority subjects. Most of the course thereby consists in in-depth empirical explorations of the numerous ways in which dominant economic constructions and forms of work are being challenged in practice and theory. The focus will lie on the different challenges and opportunities that these economic visions and visionaries face, including their aspirations and hope for better economic futures.
Specific examples include feminist economies, corporate social responsibility, fairtrade movements, wellbeing economies, community economies, green economies, degrowth economies, Black economies, pirate economies, and regenerative business and leadership, as well as models such as doughnuts, icebergs, and circular visions of design, production, and consumption.
The course is particularly relevant for students specializing in business and organizational anthropology, but also for any student who is interested in heterodox approaches to economies and how these relate to contemporary discourses and tendencies such as sustainability, resilience, diversity, buen vivir, slow living, quiet quitting, wellbeing, etc.
Knowledge:
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of classical contributions, contemporary critiques, and key debates on the themes of alternative economies and forms of work.
- reflect on how these contemporary critiques relate to different academic fields of study that focus on economic matters.
Skills:
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- apply analytical concepts from economic anthropology and heterodox approaches to economics in the analysis of current economic and work-related issues.
- compare economic systems, visions, cosmologies, and forms of work and organization across time and space.
- assess some of the practical challenges and opportunities inherent in visions for alternative economies and new forms of work.
Competences:
At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- choose, apply, and transfer relevant theoretical concepts and ideas from economic anthropology and heterodox economics in the analysis of economic issues, conflicts, and phenomena in other contexts.
- base normative claims on descriptive and analytical arguments drawn from the fields of economic anthropology and diverse economies.
- plan and manage a written portfolio.
- independently and collectively initiate and manage feedback processes that facilitates self-assessment.
BSc students and MSc students: 500 pages obligatory literature.
The teachers
will publish 200-300 pages of supplementary
literature.
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 42
- Total
- 42
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Portfolio
- Type of assessment details
- Length:
The portfolio exam can be completed individually or in groups of up to 4 students. The portfolio exam consists of 2-7 assignments. For master’s (KA) students, there is one additional assignment compared to bachelor’s (BA) students; i.e., if BA students are required to submit 5 pieces, KA students must submit 6.
The number of assignments is determined by the instructor.
The total length of all assignments must not exceed 30,000 characters for one BA student and 37,500 characters for one KA student.
For groups of 2 students, the maximum length is 40,000 characters for BA students and 47,500 characters for KA students. For groups of 3 students, the maximum length is 45,000 characters for BA students and 52,500 characters for KA students. For groups of 4 students, the maximum length is 50,000 characters for BA students and 57,500 characters for KA students.
In group projects, the individual contribution of each student must be clearly marked.
In groups with both BA and KA students, the same number of assignments as required for KA students must be handed in.
The assignments are graded collectively with one overall grade. - Aid
- All aids allowed
All aids allowed.
Policy on the use of generative AI software and Large Language Models in exams
The Department of Anthropology permits the use of generative AI software and Large Language Models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, in written exams provided that the use of AI/LLMs is presented and specified (i.e., how it has been used and for what purpose) in an appendix, which does not count towards the length of the exam.
If AI/LLMs are used as a source, the same requirements for the use of quotation marks and source references apply as with all other sources, as failure to do so would be considered plagiarism.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
See learning outcome in your study programme.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- AANA18140U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- BachelorBachelor choice,Full Degree Master,Full Degree Master choice
- Duration
- 1 semester
- Placement
- Spring
Study board
- Department of Anthropology, Study Council
Contracting departments
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Political Science
- Social Data Science
- Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Christina Jerne (chje@anthro.ku.dk)
- Kasper Tang Vangkilde (kasper.vangkilde@anthro.ku.dk)