The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Course contents

The course provides a basic introduction to social science perspectives on culture. We emphasise the complexity of the concept of culture and how it is a focal entry point for understanding how people think and act, and how cultural understanding affects the organization and development of society. The concept of culture can be seen in the context of a number of other key social science concepts such as identity, power, mobility, diversity, and communication.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  • explain and use different approaches to the concept of culture

  • recognise how historical developments and processes of colonisation and decolonisation shape perceptions of modernity, otherness and knowledge

  • explain relations of culture and power related to diversity, domination, resistance, discrimination, universalisation and cultural relativism

  • study cultural identity as relational and discuss key markers of cultural identity in complex societies (gender, ethnicity, class, “race”)

  • identify and discuss cultural processes and consequences of mobility and globalisation

  • describe how religion influences discourses, structures and everyday life

  • identify and explain with examples how cultural symbols and signs impact communication

Examination requirements

Participation in compulsory group work and/or seminars. More information will be available in Canvas.

Teaching methods

Lectures and group work. Estimated workload is 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Assessment methods and criteria

Portofolio assessment with individual written assignments. More information will be given in Canvas and in lectures. Graded A-F.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course Reduction of Credits
UT-103 – Social Anthropology 5
UT-103 – Social Anthropology 5
UT-103 – Social Anthropological Perspectives on Culture, Nature and Society 5
SV-113 – Population, Culture and Migration 5
SV-203 – Global change and communication 5
SV-203 – Cultural Analysis and Communication 5
SV-203 – Cultural Analysis 5
Last updated from FS (Common Student System) June 30, 2024 1:52:55 AM