SOSANT9100B ¨C Recent Theory in Anthropology

Course content

This is an intensive 2-3-day Ph.D. training course, which is organized each semester, to provide a chance for PhD candidates to explore on-going theoretical development in anthropology across diverse regional, theoretical and thematic areas. Rapid changes, both to our discipline and to the world we study, require a constant renewal of theoretical and thematic foci, and that we challenge and develop our object of analysis, our methodological approach and our conceptual apparatus. The topic, curriculum and lecturer(s) of the course will vary, with the aim of covering a broad field of cutting-edge research topics over a 3-4 year period.?Please find upcoming topics and application deadlines in our course list.

The course combines lectures and seminars. The lectures will provide an overview and add depth to the topic and the assigned literature. The seminar draws on student participation and requires that each student has prepared by 1) careful reading of the recommended literature, and 2) writing a preliminary text or presentation, later to be developed to a full essay (see below).

The specific title and content of each course will be set the previous semester. The curriculum and a detailed description of the course will be announced in the beginning of each semester (no later than two months in advance).

Learning outcome

Upon successful completion of this course the participants should be able to:

• demonstrate insight into set theoretical, thematic and methodological topic
• prepare and present an essay/thesis chapter that engages with this subject
• give and receive constructive criticism on the texts/thesis chapters

Admission to the course

This course is for PhD candidates in Social Anthropology, who will typically attend the course twice, preferable after fieldwork. PhD candidates in related disciplines may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.

For PhD candidates from the Department of Social Anthropology, University of Oslo: apply by using Studentweb.

Other PhD candidates: apply by sending an e-mail to this address: post@sai.uio.no

Please include:

1. a short CV

2. Institutional affiliation

3. abstract of thesis or chapter (300 Words)

Application deadlines may vary for each semester. Please find upcoming topics and deadlines in our course list.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

You must be admitted to a PhD programme to enroll in this course via UiO.

Overlapping courses

• 5 credits overlap with SOSANT9100 ¨C Recent Theory in Anthropology (discontinued).

Teaching

The course is typically designed and taught by a senior scientific staff at the Department of Social Anthropology in collaboration with an invited international scholar. The curriculum consists of some 5-600 pages of recommended reading, but could also be more or less depending on the type of texts assigned.

The course combines lectures and seminar activities. A detailed program for the whole course will be circulated in advance to registered participants.

Participants are expected to prepare an essay for the course in which they develop their own material in relation to the topics and suggested readings. They will pre-circulate an early version of their essay, and there will be ample time for discussion among fellow students and staff. On the basis of this discussion, each student revises their essay for final submission.

Examination

Within two months after the course, participants submit their written essay for evaluation. Essay length: 3-4000 words, including footnotes. Full participation (and pass) equals 5 credits.

You may part take in the course without submitting an essay without being awarded the 5 credits. Please inform the Department when you apply if you wish to participate in the course without submitting an essay.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• 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.