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Identical coursesAnthropology and the Anthropocene (B-KUL-S0D68B)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Cassiman Ann (coordinator) | Cassiman Ann | De Boeck Filip Aims
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- critically read and comment on texts dealing with environmental anthropology, anthropological approaches to the nature-culture dabate, the conservation and commodification of nature, and (post-)apocalyptic thinking.
- demonstrate their understanding of anthropological approaches to the Anthropocene and related issues such as the ontology debate and anthropological approaches to multi-species cohabitation, critical zones, feral ecologies.
- demonstrate their understanding of the main arguments developed in the course;
- describe recent developments in anthropological studies on their chosen topic in relation to the Anthropocene;
- situate anthropological knowledge of their topic in a wider context of anthropological studies of the Anthropocene;
- apply the concepts and theories discussed to new case studies, based on sound arguments and an anthropological perspective.
The course aims will be explained in the first lecture of the course.
Previous knowledge
Students have a Bachelor’s degree. At the beginning of this course they are therefore able to:
- critically read and analyse theoretical texts independently;
- write an academic text as illustrated in their Bachelor’s paper.
This is an advanced masters' class.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
5 ects. Anthropology and the Anthropocene (B-KUL-S0D68a)
Content
The Nature/Culture nexus has long constituted an important binary in the construction of anthropological knowledge and discourse concerning human-environment relations. In this course, we will first explore some of anthropology's main theoretical approaches and practical and methodological issues regarding ecological systems and the environment in relation to human beings and classic binaries. In a second part of the course, we will discuss recent developments within the field of anthropology in response to the global ecological crisis marking the epoch of the 'Anthropocene.' We will examine the headlines of the recent 'ontological turn' in anthropology and the core anthropological debates it entails on contemporary issues such as global warming, apocalypse, climate change, virus outbreaks, multispecies cohabitation, feral ecologies, and the destruction and repair of the planet. We will consider the broader implications of this new ontological awareness beyond anthropology itself.
Readings will include both classic studies and contemporary theory and ethnography.
Course material
The syllabus, course calendar, course information, readings, media links and documents (e.g. CVs and texts of guest lecturers) will be available on Toledo.
Key books that are part of the essential reading for this course will be on hold in the library (SBIB) under 'BASIS'.
Besides academic course material and readings, both the course holders and guest lecturers present research and professional cases and/or films.
Format: more information
Students:
- prepare weekly readings: they are expected to have critically read core texts in preparation of lectures, distilled arguments from the texts to ask questions during the class discussions;
- prepare an assignment: they prepare an ethnographic vignette in smaller groups based on a field excursion, and they present orally a short analysis of the ethnographic vignette based on the literature seen in class.
thus practice:
- linking the cases presented in class with course readings from different authors and themes, searching for examples in preparation of their final research paper;
- critically reflecting on cutting-edge issues in the field of anthropology and the Anthropocene, as well as critically reflecting upon the notion of the Anthropocene.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Anthropology and the Anthropocene (B-KUL-S2D68b)
Explanation
The course is evaluated by the course coordinator as sepcified in the syllabus and in the examination regulations. Grades are always expressed in whole numbers on a scale from 0 to 20, with 10 being a pass.
Attendance and participation in lectures are compulsory.
Students are expected to work in small groups to prepare an ethnographic vignette based on a field trip, and to present orally a short analysis of the ethnographic vignette based on the literature discussed in class. The ethnographic vignette will be PASS/FAIL based on participation in the completion of this assignment. A PASS [participation in the group assignment (field visit) + oral presentation of the vignette discussed)] is required to submit the final paper and to pass the course overall. As such, this assigment is an examination requirement, but will not graded.
Grades will be calculated on the basis on an evaluation of an exam paper* (100%).
1. Content of the paper
For the final paper, students are expected to submit a topic of their own choice for the exam paper by mid-November (the exact deadline is specified in the syllabus on Toledo). The topic should be closely related to the issues presented throughout the course (see lectures, lecture notes or reading lists).
Students are expected to demonstrate that they are able to develop and critically reflect on one or more of the issues covered throughout the course in a personal and creative way.
It is essential that a student presents and articulates a research question, and defends and substantiates their findings, in clear wording and in an intelligible manner. This implies that the student clearly describes the topic and the research question, discusses the relevance of the research question to the field of anthropology and/of the Anthropocene, and links it to the theories and perspectives discussed. The student is expected to be able to select, use and present texts from the reader and secondary literature that relate to the texts discussed in class.
2. Formal requirements for the exam paper*
A paper should be approximately 10 pages in length, or about 4000 words (excluding references). It should be written as if it were an academic journal article.
It will therefore consist of a title, abstract and keywords; an introduction, body, and conclusion; footnotes; reference list and will be structured around the student's own selection of reading material (articles, book chapters, monographs, the texts from the course reader).
The manuscript and references should be formatted in AAA or APA-style.
This written assignment will be assessed on content, quality of writing, and format. The student should use standard written language.
3. Deadlines
Students must propose their title, topic and preliminary abstract to the course holder or assistant by mid November (the specific deadline will be announced on Toledo). A soft copy (preferably in PDF-format) must be uploaded to Toledo under Assignments no later than the first Monday of the examination. The student’s name and the course number should be clearly mentioned.
Papers submitted after the deadline will result in a grade of 'NA' ("not attended") and will be considered for the next examination period. Deadlines for the final paper are not negotiable. In the case of exceptional, individual circumstances, students may contact the ombuds to discuss the deadline.
*Students are fully responsible for submitting papers and assignments free of fraud and plagiarism (www.kuleuven.be/english/education/plagiarism/) and are asked to comply with the relevant Faculty regulations. Plagiarism will be subject to sanctions set out in the University’s Regulations on Education and Examinations
Information about retaking exams
For resits:
Students submit a 1-page analysis of an ethnographic vignette collected during the class field trip or based on their own field observations on a topic related to the topics discussed in class.
Students write a final paper on a topic related to the themes discussed in class.