Course content

The course deals with the formation, expression, maintenance and change of identities. It covers principles of social organization like kinship, ethnicity, gender and age. The course also includes theories of nationalism and identity politics in the wake of decolonization, postcolonial theory and the political and cultural activities of minorities. In addition, it gives an overview of different cultural notions of emotions and personhood. The course is compulsory for students working toward a bachelor's degree or the one year study program in social anthropology.

Learning outcome

The course will enable the students to give an account of diverse principles of social organization and differentiation, such as kinship, ethnicity, gender and age. They will be able to describe the central elements of theories of nationalism, identity politics and postcolonial theory. The students will also be expected to be familiar with diverse cultural notions of emotions and personhood. The required paper is designed to teach the students academic writing skills.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures/seminars/written assignments (approx. 48 hours)
Deadline for the written assignment: October 15th.

5-hour written exam

Compulsory assignments

• Approved written assignment

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Credit reductions