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Duration
Identical coursesWorld Anthropologies (B-KUL-S0K28A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
This course is not taught this academic year, but will be taught next year.Aims
Upon completion of this course, the student is able to:
- Analyse academic knowledge production, circulation and consumption from an anthropological perspective (analysis)
- Relate anthropological voices and concepts to a world anthropologies framework (analysis)
- Apply a world anthropologies framework to new case studies (application)
- Structure academic texts about the course topic (synthesis)
- Critically process new source material related to the topic of the course (evaluation)
These objectives will be communicated to the students at the start of the semester.
Previous knowledge
This is a course in a two-year master's programme in social and cultural anthropology.
Enrolled students are expected to have a basic knowledge, at a master's level, of the history of anthropology and of anthropological theorizing (as taught in the course ‘Introduction to Anthropology in a Decolonizing World’). If this basic knowledge is limited, students must engage in self-study (e.g. by reading a handbook of anthropology) to strengthen this knowledge.
Knowledge of languages other than English is a must.
Is included in these courses of study
Activities
5 ects. World Anthropologies (B-KUL-S0K28a)
Content
What is anthropological knowledge and theory (and what is not)? The traditional canon of academic anthropology is strongly marked by the exclusion of marginal voices. It is high time to address this. As part of the ongoing process of ‘decanonizing’ the discipline, this course pays attention to anthropological theorizing outside hegemonic centres. This serves as a long overdue corrective to what is conventionally taught in anthropology curricula. Shifting the focus to the so-called ‘periphery’, not as a place from where knowledge is extracted but where knowledge is also actively produced, means amplifying voices (in languages other than the currently dominant English) and spotlighting conceptual frameworks that are usually silenced. Having access to some of the global diversity of anthropological traditions is intellectually stimulating and enriching. It also helps us disentangle the power dynamics involved in knowledge production, circulation and consumption in general. A crucial contribution of the world anthropologies approach so far has been a collective conceptualization of the way in which silencing mechanisms operate in both global anthropology and national anthropological traditions.
Course material
Used course material includes:
- Articles and literature
- Slides, courseware
- Multimedia
Course material, including a reference list, is available on Toledo.
Format: more information
Discussion - Flipped classroom - Group assignment - Individual assignment - Presentation
The main teaching style for this course is an interactive lecture.
Lectures are supplemented with extra working methods: group discussions and student presentations of new source materials.
Students work in small groups and present and discuss the results of their groupwork in class.
Evaluation
Evaluation: World Anthropologies (B-KUL-S2K28a)
Explanation
Evaluation characteristics
The final result is a weighted number, defined as follows:
(1) Participation during contact hours: 20%
Journal articles and/or book chapters are assigned per session and are available in electronic format via Toledo. Every student is expected to have carefully read the assigned texts BEFORE the lecture and should be prepared to participate actively in the discussion of the materials during the lecture. Points for participation and attendance will be given for a combination of presence in class, contribution to discussions, and active listening. No specific feedback is provided for this element, but the lecturer will contact students individually should problems arise (e.g. in case of insufficient participation). Retakes are not possible for this component.
(2) Presentation: 20%
Each student is required, as part of a group work, to present and lead the discussion of (at least) one self-chosen text or other relevant source not covered in the syllabus. This involves a thorough analysis of the material so that the student can present and synthesise it, generate and answer questions, and lead the overall discussion. This will be evaluated in terms of preparation, presentation and discussion skills and content. Immediately following the presentation in class, the student will receive a succinct feedback on the performance. In case of non-delivery of the presentation, students receive a 0 on this component. Retakes are not possible.
(3) Project/Product: 60%
In consultation with the course instructor, students will create a final product or project related to the course content. This can take the form of a paper, web content, a vlog, a podcast, etc., and can be prepared individually or in group. This assignment will be evaluated for content and quality of production. Intermediary feedback on this element will be given during the production process. In case of non-submission of the project/product, students receive an NA on this component and the end result. Retakes are possible in the third examination period.
The submission deadlines and other deadlines are decided by the lecturer and communicated via Toledo.
The agreed deadline is respected when submitting the project/product. Negotiation about any deviation is impossible. When any special circumstances have occurred, contacting the ombuds person of the faculty before the deadline is required. With disrespect of the agreed the deadline, the project/product will be calculated as an NA, unless a new submission deadline is determined after serious circumstances.
Students are fully responsible for submitting a project/product free of fraud and plagiarism (www.kuleuven.be/english/education/plagiarism/) and are requested to observe the Faculty’s relevant regulations. Plagiarism will be sanctioned with the sanctions mentioned in the University’s Regulations on Education and Examinations.
Determination of the final result
The course is evaluated by the lecturer, as announced via Toledo and the examination regulations. The result is calculated and expressed as an integer out of 20, with 10 being the passing grade.
Second examination opportunity
The evaluation requirements of the second exam chance differs from the first exam chance. For obvious reasons, students cannot resit participation during contact hours and presentation. Should students have failed or received an NA for their project/product, they can resubmit it in August.
Information about retaking exams
Second examination opportunity
The evaluation requirements of the second exam chance differs from the first exam chance. For obvious reasons, students cannot resit participation during contact hours and the in-class presentation. Should students have failed or received an NA for their project/product, they can retake it in August.