ANTH4100 – Core Themes in Contemporary Anthropology
Course description
Course content
In this course we focus on four different, but inter-related, themes or debates in contemporary anthropology. Three of the themes are fixed (i.e., do not change) while the fourth theme changes from one year to another depending on who teaches the course. The course’s central aim is to give an expanded and strengthened grounding in general anthropology. The three fixed themes are:
Anthropology after Globalization
Ethnographies of the State
Modernity and the Persistent Life of Kinship
Through the course, you will work on issues like these:
First appearing in the English language in the 1940s, the term "globalization" is used to conceptualize and discuss the circulation of commodities, the rapid and furious exchange of ideas and images, and the movement of people. How do you define globalization? Why is globalization important for anthropology?
What is the "state" and how can we best study it?
How should one conceptualize and understand the relationship between kinship and "modernity"? In what ways does kinship continue to matter in the contemporary world, the world we all live in, today’s world?
How do contemporary anthropologists deal with history? What is history for anthropologists? Why is the concern with history important?
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- Increased overview of central issues and perspectives in contemporary anthropology
- Understanding of their relevance for contemporary academic and public policy debates
- Strengthened understanding of ongoing theoretical and methodological debates in social anthropology and related disciplines
Skills
- Improved ability to understand and reflect on a variety of intellectual positions and to use this understanding to contribute to the construction of a unique anthropological research agenda
- Strengthened ability to construct an academic argument
- Improved ability to write academic texts
- Oral presentation skills
Competencies
- Enhance team-work capacity through group discussions and group presentations
- Strengthen the ability to express arguments in solid academic writing
Admission to the course
This examination is available only to students enrolled in the master's programme in Social Anthropology prior to Autumn 2025. Please contact the administration to apply:?info-master@sai.uio.no
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.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must be enrolled in the master’s programme for Social Anthropology, and must have taken ANTH4010 – Advanced Anthropological Theory, ANTH4020 – Academic Writing and Project Development og ANTH4030 – Advanced Anthropological Methods
Overlapping courses
- 7.5 credits overlap with ANTH4115 – Advanced Anthropological Theory.
Teaching
There is no teaching in the course after Spring 2025.
Examination
The examination will consist of a 4-day home examination (2200 - 2800 words).
Previous exams and assessment guidelines.
The examination is held for the last time spring 2026.
Examination support material
All support material is allowed. When using AI, you must explain and be transparent about its use: read more about the guidelines for AI and exams at?How to use AI as a student - University of Oslo
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in English, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish.
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.
Also see?Grading guidelines in social anthropology
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.