CULCOMCHAKOK Cultures, communities and change module, a study programme in English for HUMAK exchange students. (5–20 cr)

KUMU (Cultures, communities and change) studies people, communities, and cultures from ethnological, anthropological and cultural policy perspectives. We are interested in a wide range of cultural phenomena, including traditions, rituals, art, media, everyday life, groups and lifestyles, as well as how policy decisions are made about cultural life. KUMU doesn’t shy away from the current topics challenging society such as inequality, discrimination, poverty, addiction, dispossession, violence and conflict.

KUMU recognizes that a rapidly changing world poses new challenges for cultural studies, and KUMU was established to answer that challenge. For this reason, KUMU combines ethnology, anthropology and cultural policy – the only combination of its kind in the country!

Students will participate in the programme for either one semester or a full academic year, depending on the duration of their exchange visit. Not all modules listed below will be available every year as taught modules. Students may also take book examinations based on the literature selection below or write essays independently. The language of instruction is English. All student assignments are to be completed in English

Upon completion of the module, students will:

• be familiar with the disciplines of ethnology, anthropology and cultural policy, and know how research is conducted within KUMU and how the process of knowledge formation occurs within this research.
• understand social and cultural processes, as well as the modes of thought and practice underlying cultural policy.
• have obtained the basic transferable skills for conducting research and will know the ethical practices associated with it.
• have learned to apply the knowledge they have absorbed and find creative solutions to current problems.
• value scientific knowledge and apply it creatively to work activities in their own fields.
• have the capacity to use and critically evaluate the knowledge and skills obtained during their studies and recognize the global responsibilities inherent in their work activities.
• be able to evaluate ethical issues in different phases within a variety of expert positions.