COURSES

Content

This course explores critical issues of the Anthropocene through a regionally focused lens. It examines how human activity became a dominant planetary force, while critically interrogating the framing, political implications, and underlying assumptions of the Anthropocene narrative. Focusing on African case studies, students engage with  environmental challenges through themes such as multispecies entanglements, environmental precarity, the commodification of nature, toxicity and pollution, critiques of Eurocentric understandings of environmental change, etc.  Through interdisciplinary readings, discussions, and guest lectures, the course critically examines key debates in Anthropocene scholarship. Guest speakers bring empirical case studies based on original fieldwork into the classroom, enriching theoretical discussions with grounded examples. 

Theory: Students are introduced to foundational and critical concepts of the Anthropocene, including debates on human-environment relations, multispecies ethnography, climate change, toxicity, pollution, and the political economies shaping environmental futures. Readings engage both mainstream approaches and decolonial, relational, and indigenous critiques of Anthropocene discourse.

Methodology: Through practical sessions, a project, and (guest) lectures, students will develop ethnographic and analytical tools to examine lived experiences of environmental and social change, while critically reflecting on how knowledge about the environment is constructed, circulated, and contested.

Empirical Contexts: Case studies from Africa serve as entry points for analyzing how global environmental discourses are translated, appropriated, resisted, or reimagined in specific local contexts. Guest speakers further enrich these discussions with diverse examples from across the continent.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

• Understanding the key concepts, theories, and debates surrounding the Anthropocene.
• Demonstrating knowledge of the social, cultural, and environmental challenges it presents.

Skills

• Applying ethnographic methodologies to analyze Anthropocene-related issues.
• Critically evaluating case studies and empirical data to draw informed conclusions.
• Communicating complex ideas effectively through discussions, presentations, and written work.

Attitudes

• Adopting a critical and reflective approach to global and local environmental challenges.
• Demonstrating sensitivity to diverse cultural and regional perspectives, particularly in African contexts.
• Engaging constructively in debates about sustainability and justice.

Teaching methods

Lecture, Practical

Extra information on the teaching methods: Students are expected to attend and participate actively in all course activities, as these provide the theoretical and methodological grounding for a collective scientific project. The course structure includes lectures, independent small-scale fieldwork, a presentation in class, and the production of a final paper.

Assessment method(s)

Assessment moments: end-of-term and continuous assessment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the first examination period: Peer and/or self assessment, Presentation, Assignment

Examination methods in case of end-of-term assessment during the resit examination period: Peer and/or self assessment, Presentation, Assignment

Examination methods in case of continuous assessment: Participation

Possibilities of retake in case of continuous assessment: not applicable

Extra information on assessment methods: Continuous assessment for this course is based on active participation in the preparation and presentation of fieldwork. This includes writing an abstract and project summary of the chosen topic, providing peer review on other project summaries, and presenting the fieldwork findings during a class session. Successful completion of these tasks is required to qualify for participation in the final paper.

Each student will select and map out a feral ecology of their choice. The way the feral ecology is mapped and presented can be creative and multimodal—using vignettes, observation logs, interviews, drawings, recordings, or other formats—but must be accompanied by a final paper of 4000–5000 words. Individual retakes during the second examination period require an individual paper, subject to prior approval, and are only allowed in cases of exceptional circumstances.

Calculation of the examination mark: The final grade is based 100% on the final paper. Submission of the paper is only permitted after successfully completing the continuous assessment, which includes active participation, the completion of exercises, and presentations during the course. The continuous assessment is evaluated on a pass/fail basis, focusing exclusively on participation and engagement. Students must fulfill all participation and assessment requirements to be eligible to complete the course successfully.

Lecturers

Rahier, Nick: lecturer-in-charge

Stroeken, Koenraad: co-lecturer

Course dates

This course takes place in the first semester of academic year 2026-2027:

• Educational activities: September 21 to December 12, 2026
• Catch-up activities: December 14 to December 19, 2026
• Christmas break: December 21, 2026 to January 2, 2027
• Examination period: January 4 to January 30, 2027
• Resit Examination period: August 16 to September 18, 2027

There will be one online lecture per week from September 21 to December 12, 2026. This weekly class will take place on Fridays from 10am to 1pm (CEST/CET).

Entry requirements: Students are expected to have completed introductory courses in Anthropology or to have acquired equivalent competences through prior study or relevant experience.

How to apply

1. Check whether you meet the entry requirements listed above. You cannot apply if you don’t meet the entry requirements.
2. Check with your home faculty or study programme to confirm whether this course can be included in your curriculum, so the ECTS credits will be recognized. If you are unsure who to contact, reach out to your home university’s ENLIGHT office (contact details below).
3. Apply by completing the Ghent University form by August 17th.
4. Register at Ghent university. Registration instructions will follow after application.

Information per university

• University of the Basque Country: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  
• University of Bern: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at the University of Bern 
• University of Bordeaux: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    
• Comenius University Bratislava: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Galway: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   
• University of Groningen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIPs and application form 
• University of Göttingen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for BIP’s) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (other courses) 
• University of Tartu: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see information about BIP’s and virtual courses 
• Uppsala University: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., see application instructions for students at Uppsala University

For information regarding the procedure to take part in this course: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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