KULH2011 – The Cultural History of Nature
Course description
Course content
The most pressing societal challenges in the present have to do with climate change and the loss of biodiversity. In the age of the Anthropocene, nature has become a vital political concern.?
This course offers cultural historical perspectives upon the present situation. The aim is to explore how humans have used, imagined and shaped animals and physical environments and, conversely, the role that nature and ideas of nature have played in social, cultural, political, economic and everyday life.?
The course focuses on ways to describe and theorise the relations between humans and nature—from early modern natural histories and the modern distinction between nature and culture, to ongoing discussions about the Anthropocene. Central themes include the politics of landscape and of domestication, the rise of conservation and scientific ecology, nature and colonialism, nature and the nation-state, and the strange new hybrid natures that emerge with the Anthropocene.?
Learning outcome
Upon successful completion of the course, students should
- be able to study textual and visual primary sources from the perspective of the cultural history of nature
- have basic knowledge of the development of ideas about nature and human relationships to nature
- have basic knowledge of how practices of nature affect societies and vice versa.
- have basic knowledge about the development of theories of nature and nature-culture relations in cultural history and the cultural sciences
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with KULH4505 – The Cultural History of Nature.
Teaching
The course is taught through lectures, seminars and practical exercises.
Compulsory coursework
Written assignment: Four short texts of up to 2 pages each, relating to the subject of the term paper. Instructions for the assignment will be given in Canvas. (One page is approximately 2300 characters without spaces, including references. Bibliography is not included in the page count).?
You will find more information about the requirements for the compulsory assignment(s) and the submission deadline in Canvas.?
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the two following spring semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications.?
Access to teaching?
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.?
Examination
Term paper.
The assignment should consist of 6-8 pages. One standard page is approximately 2300 characters without spaces, including references. The front page and bibliography are not included in the page count.?
The topic/detailed information regarding the exam format will be announced on Canvas.?
You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams.?
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.?
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.?
If you are ill when submitting the term paper or have another valid reason for not taking an exam, you can apply for a postponed submission deadline
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are ill when submitting a term paper or have another valid reason for not taking an exam, you can apply for a postponed submission deadline?
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.