Comparative Regional Ethnography

ECTS Credits

15 ECTS

Level of Study

Bachelor

Teaching semester

Spring

Objectives and Content

The point of departure for this course is the thematic courses the student has taken during the BA program. Central perspectives and debates from these courses are made relevant with respect to two specific regions. The course emphasizes variation in cultural and social forms and will be organized to encourage a comparative perspective on the two regions. Weight will be placed on how enduring traits in cultural and social form relate to historical and natural preconditions, while at the same time offering the student an introduction to critical perspectives on the theoretical preconceptions than underlie the bounding of regions.

Learning Outcomes

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

• Provide an overview of central traits in cultural and social forms in two ethnographic regions
• Be familiar with essential features of anthropological comparison

Skills

• Apply insights into sociality, materiality, meaning and power in a regional comparative perspective
• Discuss socio-cultural realities in the regions in the light of imperialism, colonialism, globalization and other historical contingencies

General competence

• Reflect upon theoretical challenges in cross-cultural and regional comparison
• Apply anthropological concepts and perspectives apposite in regional comparison
• Discuss and compare regional characteristics in an independently authored text
• Be familiar with the main features of qualitative method and be able to reflect on them
• Be able to read and write text within specific professional genres

Required Previous Knowledge

None

Recommended Previous Knowledge

SANT100, SANT150, SANT102, SANT103, SANT104, SANT105

Access to the Course

This course is open to students at UiB

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and workshops

2 hours per week

14-15 weeks, approx.30 hours in total

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

None

Forms of Assessment

One week take home exam. 3000 words (+/-10%)

Grading Scale

Grading A-F

Assessment Semester

Assessment in teaching semester and the following semester.

Reading List

The reading list will be ready before 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 Decemeber for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

All courses are evaluated according to UiB's system for quality assurance of education.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the study programme and courses.  

Course Coordinator

Course coordinator and administrative contact person can be found on Mitt UiB.

Course Administrator

The Department of Social Anthropology at the Faculty of Social Sciences has the administrative responsibility for the course and the study programme.