Course Objectives

The disciplinary-historical components in the introductory course provide students with an overview of the development of the various disciplinary traditions within the humanities and social sciences, yielding an understanding of how researchers work within given institutional and discipline-specific premises. The theoretical components in the introductory course will provide students with insight into central fundamental problems and current debates within the specific fields. Though gaining such insight is a goal in itself, it is also intended to serve as a foundation from which to work with the specialised courses and the Master’s thesis from a truly interdisciplinary perspective.

Course Description

The curriculum will have two main categories:

Overarching themes: the concept of culture, cultural studies and interdisciplinary theory

History and theory of the humanities (in general and with emphasis on historical and literary disciplines)

History and theory of the social sciences with emphasis on cultural sociology

Central themes in cultural studies: identity and modernity

Since the history of disciplines is mainly created by theories replacing each other, the theoretical and disciplinary historical traditions are closely related in terms of content. Particular emphasis is put on theoretical perspectives common to the various disciplines and especially in interdisciplinary studies. Parts of the introductory course are divided into subcategories more clearly thematic than what is common in other master studies. Emphasis is placed on connecting this general theory to central themes in cultural studies, such as identity and modernity. This way, it is possible to concretise what cultural studies are, and give the Master’s studies a clear disciplinary profile. Furthermore, this also demonstrates how the general theory may be used in concrete analytic contexts. In this context, students will have the opportunity to discuss possible topics for their theses. The syllabus comprises about 2000 pages.

Learning Methods

Lectures and seminars, 4-8 hours per week in the autumn semester.

Assessment Methods

8-hour written examination which counts for 80 % of the final mark. Before sitting the examination, students are required to submit an assignment which counts for 20% of the final mark. Both the assignment and the examination must receive passing marks to achieve a final pass mark. Cf. ‘Examinations and assessment’ in the study plan.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean