Political Anthropology, introductory course
Course content
Political Anthropology is concerned with the distribution of resources, power, social order and authority in and between different societies, communities and networks. More specifically, it explores people’s negotiations of social possibilities and limitations, constructions of hierarchical socio-cultural categories and positions, as well as broader processes of differentiation and discrimination.
From studies of close-knit communities to global constellations, political anthropology investigates people's attempts to realize, uphold, or change communities, societies and networks. Political anthropology also focuses on the state and expressions of sovereignty. Hence, political anthropology is concerned with local, national and global levels in their mutual historical interconnections, as it considers national policies and political decisions as well as unofficial connections, international networks and illegal organizations.
The ethnographic approach of anthropology illuminates the official "visible" policy and its consequences as well as unofficial and "invisible" political positions and processes, often in the form of infrapolitics from below. In addition, political anthropology unpacks how cultural representations in and of society are inflected by inequal social relationships and produce political outcomes, and pays attention to cultural claims and – often decolonizing – counterclaims. In this way, political anthropology deepens our knowledge and understanding of the world's political diversity and constructions of power. The main aim of this introductory course is to present and discuss key theoretical and thematic developments in the subfield of political anthropology. Many of these will be illustrated by looking at relevant case studies.
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
Full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH
- Master Programme in Social Data Science
- Master Programme in Political Science and Social Science
- Master Programme in Global Development
Enrolled students register the course through the Selfservice. Please contact the study administration at each programme for questions regarding registration.
Knowledge:
- To demonstrate an understanding of classical contributions, key debates and standpoints in the field of political anthropology.
- To reflect on how political anthropology is distinct from and how it relates to studies of politics and power in other academic fields.
Skills:
- To be able to apply anthropological concepts in the analysis of current political issues.
- To be able to compare political systems, power relations and forms of political organization across time and space.
- To be able to account for the different ways that power is distributed in society, from processual, action based forms of power, to hidden, structural forms.
Competences:
- To choose, apply and transfer relevant theoretical concepts and ideas from anthropology in the analysis of political issues, conflicts and phenomena in other contexts.
- To be able to base normative claims on descriptive and analytical arguments drawn from anthropology, in order to nuance, qualify and enlighten political debate.
The course will be based on a combination of lectures and
interactive seminars where students contribute actively through
group work, discussions, readings and oral and written
presentations.
MA students must include supplementary literature in the exam, which the student selects.
Feedback on portfolio assignments from student groups, as well as general feedback from the teacher
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
-
Home assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Free written home assignment with examination prerequisites
The home assignment can be done in groups of up to 4 students. In group assignments, each student’s contribution must be clearly marked in the assignment. The length of the assignment must be a maximum of 10 pages for BA students and a maximum of 12 pages for MA students. For group submissions, an additional 3 pages per extra BA student and an additional 3 pages per extra MA student are allowed. For groups where BA and MA students are writing together, the page limit corresponds to that of MA students.
Students must indicate on the first page of the assignment whether they are BA or MA students. In the case of a group assignment, the individual student's contribution must be clearly marked in the assignment.
The number of standard pages is calculated according to the assumption that a standard page is defined as 2,400 keystrokes including spaces. Read further about Formal requirements for written assignments and exams in Curricula’s Common Part for the Faculty of Social Sciences. - Examination prerequisites
-
To be eligible for the exam, the student must have submitted and had approved 2-7 written assignments during the course.
- 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
-
Free written home assignment with examination prerequisites
1st re-exam: An essay must be submitted. The new assignment must be submitted by the deadline for the re-exam. The examination prerequisites must be fulfilled before the re-examination can be conducted.
2nd re-exam: A new essay must be submitted. The new assignment must be submitted by the deadline for the re-exam. The examination prerequisites must be fulfilled before the re-examination can be conducted.
Criteria for exam assessment
See learning outcome
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 100
- Exam Preparation
- 64
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AANA18132U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
Bachelor choiceFull Degree MasterFull Degree Master choice
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Autumn
- Studyboard
- Department of Anthropology, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Political Science
- Social Data Science
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Helene Risør (13-6b686f68716831756c76726875436471776b7572316e7831676e)
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende