Climate, environment and nature: basic anthropological concepts
Course content
The course is an introduction to how anthropological analysis
can contribute
to an understanding of climate change, environmental justice and
human
perceptions of nature. Although anthropology primarily focuses on
social
relations, environmental anthropology has historically been
preoccupied
with the interaction between natural and social processes. Through
a mix of
theory and ethnographic examples from around the globe, the course
introduces newer perspectives on climate change and nature and
cosmology,
environmental justice, multispecies relations, care, conflict and
climate
activism.
The course will include a one-day collective fieldwork near
Copenhagen and
presentation of findings, collective reading and presentations of
the work of
a key author, and joint of essay writing based on fieldwork and
theory.
In the spring of 2025, the course is also offered to students of:
- Master's program in Social Data Science
- Bachelor's degree in Sociology
- Bachelor's and master's degree in Psychology
- Master's program in Political Science
Enrolled students register for the course through Self-Service. Please contact the study administration of the individual programs for questions regarding registration.
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
Skills
At the end of the course, students will:
- be able to analyze concrete empirical examples of how climate
change, environmental problems and perceptions of nature are
distinct and yet connected; - be able to carry out a short collective anthropological
fieldwork with
teacher guidance.
Knowledge:
At the end of the course students are expected to:
- demonstrate knowledge of new anthropological approaches and anthropological concepts about climate, environment and nature;
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of central themes in environmental anthropology;
Competences:
At the end of the course students must be able to:
- collaborate with other students, including giving and receiving feedback;
- theorize about the interaction between natural and social processes;
- apply the acquired analytical skills in connection with
empirical
examples.
The course consists of lectures, group work and joint discussions. Students’ participation is encouraged in order to create a dialogical learning space. One lecture is reserved for a small fieldtrip and another for the presentation of findings and joint reflections. There will also be a joint reading and student presentations of the work of a key author in the field.
Undergraduate and graduate students: 500 pages of required reading.
Teacher posts 200-300 pages of supplementary literature.
Feedback will be provided throughout the course, including oral
and peer
feedback.
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- One BA student: 21,600-26,400 characters (with spaces). For
group answers, min. 6,750 and a maximum of 8,250 additional
characters (with spaces) per additional group member.
One KA student: 27,000-33,000 characters (with spaces). For group answers, min. 8,450 and a maximum of 10,300 additional characters (with spaces).
For groups with both BA and KA students: One KA and one BA student:
31,900 – 38,975 (BA: 14,175-17,325 KA: 17,725-21,650)
One KA and two BA students: 38,050 – 46,475 (BA: 11,700-14,300 KA: 14,650-17,875)
One KA and three BA students: 44,525 – 54,375 (BA: 10,475-12,800 KA: 13,100-15,975)
Two KA and one BA students: 41,000 – 50,050 (BA: 11,700-14,300 KA: 14,650-17,875)
Two KA and two BA students: 47,150 – 57,550 (BA: 10,475-12,800 KA: 13,100-15,975)
Three KA and one BA students: 49,775 – 60,725 (BA: 10,475-12,800 KA: 13,100-15,975)
Literature
KA students must include supplementary literature in the exam, which the student selects.
Indication of level and contribution
Students must indicate on the first page of the assignment whether they are BA or KA students. In the case of a group assignment, the individual student's contribution must be clearly marked in the assignment. - Aid
- All aids allowed
Policy on the Use of Generative AI Software and Large Language Models in Exams
The Department of Anthropology allows the use of generative AI software and large language models (AI/LLMs), such as ChatGPT, in written exams, provided that the use of AI/LLMs is disclosed and specified (i.e., how it was used and for what purpose) in an appendix that does not count towards the page limit of the exam.
If AI/LLMs are used as source, the same requirements apply for using quotation marks and source referencing as with all other sources. Otherwise, it will be a case of plagiarism.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Re-exam
-
1st and 2nd re-examination: A new essay with new problem formulation must be submitted. The new assignment must be handed in at the next exam term. The student must register for the re-examination.
One BA student: 21,600-26,400 characters (with spaces). For group answers, min. 6,750 and a maximum of 8,250 additional characters (with spaces) per additional group member.
One KA student: 27,000-33,000 characters (with spaces). For group answers, min. 8,450 and a maximum of 10,300 additional characters (with spaces).
For groups with both BA and KA students: One KA and one BA student:
31,900 – 38,975 (BA: 14,175-17,325 KA: 17,725-21,650)
One KA and two BA students: 38,050 – 46,475 (BA: 11,700-14,300 KA: 14,650-17,875)
One KA and three BA students: 44,525 – 54,375 (BA: 10,475-12,800 KA: 13,100-15,975)
Two KA and one BA students: 41,000 – 50,050 (BA: 11,700-14,300 KA: 14,650-17,875)
Two KA and two BA students: 47,150 – 57,550 (BA: 10,475-12,800 KA: 13,100-15,975)
Three KA and one BA students: 49,775 – 60,725 (BA: 10,475-12,800 KA: 13,100-15,975)
KA students must include supplementary literature in the exam, which the student selects.
Criteria for exam assessment
See learning objectives
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 100
- Exam
- 64
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AANA18137U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
Bachelor choiceFull Degree Master choice
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Spring
- Schedulegroup
-
Look at schedule
- Studyboard
- Department of Anthropology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Psychology
- Department of Political Science
- Social Data Science
- Department of Sociology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Inge-Merete Hougaard (3-6e726d456673796d777433707a336970)
Are you BA- or KA-student?
Courseinformation of students