SOSANT2270 – Contemporary Studies in Kinship and Gender
Course content
Gender and kinship are key issues in anthropology and are viewed as equally important; one cannot be properly grasped without paying due attention to the other. Both kinship and gender are about relational practices. This course provides an in-depth exploration of ethnographic approaches to kinship, sexuality, and gender, focusing on how these concepts are practiced and understood across cultural settings.
By examining shifting social norms surrounding gender, sexuality, family, and relatedness, the course reveals how these practices intersect with broader societal forces such as new reproductive technologies, policies, economies, class, and race. The course also examines the experiences of caregiving and the entanglements of human and non-human actors in kinship and gender practices. Questions such as who "cares" for whom, in what ways, and with what effects are increasingly central to anthropological inquiry on kinship relationalities, alongside concerns about the gendering nature of care.
Drawing on course readings and the class conveners’ own research, students will engage with key theoretical debates on core concepts like 'kinship,' 'marriage,' 'gender(s),' 'sexualities,' and 'personhood’ highlighting how these are shaped by varying social contexts. In dialogue with recent developments in feminist, post-colonial, and queer theory, the course aims to equip students with the analytical tools to critically examine and interpret the diverse ways in which kinship, sexuality, and gender are experienced and regulated across diverse social, legal, political and economic frameworks.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- General understanding of the relevance of kinship and gender theories
- Analytical perspectives on gender and kinship
- Insight into the mutually constitutive role of kinship and gender
- Significance of kinship/gender for grasping contemporary phenomena and processes
- Appreciate the significance of comparative analysis
Skills
- Increased analytical competence and critical reflection
- Ability to read texts with a view to kinship and gender, both empirically and theoretically
- Familiarity with key approaches to gender and kinship studies
- Ability to develop an argument based on academic sources
- Critically examine links between theoretical, analytical and empirical arguments
General competence
- Achieve an independent critical mind
- The ability to express arguments both written and verbally
- Achieve basic knowledge of academic integrity, including the correct use of references/sources
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.
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic knowledge of Social Anthropology.
Teaching
The course consists of 10 two-hour blocks. Each session consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars and interactive exercises.
Students are expected to have read assigned readings before each session and be prepared to participate in discussions.
During the semester, there will be a number of hand-in exercises to support students to work through readings and course concepts, and apply the analytical tools to ethnographic cases.
Examination
Choose a theme agreed with the course convenors and write a 3500 words (+/- 10%) essay (including references).
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
You may write your examination paper 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.
?
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.