Regional Ethnography

The course is designed to familiarize the student with the study of ethnographic regions. It consists of a general and a specialized part. The general part discusses the practice of dividing the world into ethnographic regions and presents various theories that purport to explain differences and similarities between them. The specialized part deals in depth with a chosen region - like Africa, Latin-America and the Nordic countries of Europe. The region selected for in-depth analysis will differ from semester to semester (see the department's homepage). The course is compulsory for students working toward a bachelor's degree or the one year study program in social anthropology.

The student is expected to become familiar with differences and similarities between ethnographic regions and gain a thorough understanding of the region selected for in-depth study. She/he will learn how regional differences and similarities are created, maintained and changed. In addition he/she will develop an understanding of how theories of regional differentiation have evolved. The course is intended to sharpen the student's skills of comparative analysis and enable him/her to carry out comparative analysis of regional cosmologies, value orientations and ecological adaptations.

Lectures, seminars and visual presentations (approx. 24 hours). Approved written assignment. 4 hours written exam.