SOSANT2170 – Regional ethnography: Europe

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

The European sphere is arguably the only continent in the world with undefined geographical boundaries. The areas in which it extends can easily stop at St Petersburg, or extend deep into the Caucasus, according to the historical and ideological imagination employed. This sociocultural building of what Europe is, brings to the fore some main components of social constructivism that are of great interest to the anthropological eye. What is more, “Europe” has been defined by centuries of colonialism, as outward imperialistic expansion brought an array of influences into the continent, while it exported violence and subjugation.

The course critically visits the identity and perception of “the European”, as well as the social and cultural life of Europe and the institution of the EU, which has become in recent decades a synecdoche of Europe at large. However, while the EU acts as a normative guardian and a benchmark of Europeanness, we shall explore the limits of the EU as Europe’s representative and the limitations of “EUrope” as a cultural construct. The course navigates the Mediterranean, a major sea of historical reference for European peoples, both of those in the South who share its shores and those in the North that have planned trade and cultural identity around it.

Moreover, the course deals with alterity is within and across Europe, an otherwise self-celebrated cohesive continent. Europe is aplenty with otherness, be it minorities, migrants, refugees, or even entire regions of “European people” who do not find a way into becoming fully accepted as Europeans by their peers. This selective Europeanness leaves out half of the continent in certain readings, and week four focuses on the peoples of the Balkans, Eastern Europe and Russia, as well as on the excluded immigrants to Europe.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

  • Overview of the region’s contribution to anthropology.
  • Familiarity with some recent and current themes in regional anthropology.
  • Critical reflection about the history and contemporary conditions of anthropology of and from the continent.

Skills

  • Competence in regional ethnography and familiarity with some main themes in the region’s contemporary anthropology.

Competencies

  • Ability to engage with and communicate contemporary social anthropological Insights.
  • Understanding and respect for social and cultural, as well as historical variation, as well as for theoretical and methodological differences between regional anthropological approaches.
  • Critical reflection about the role and responsibility of anthropology and the anthropologist in the context of a particular region.

Admission to the course

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If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

Lectures and seminars

Examination

Take home examination. The exam paper must be minimum 2 900 words and maximum 4 400 words including cover page and foot- or endnotes.

Previous exams and examiner guidelines

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in 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.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Apr. 8, 2026 9:28:52 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Bachelor
Credits
10
Teaching
Autumn

The course is offered irregularly.

Teaching language
English

Contact

SV-info