Universität Wien

240531 SE MM3 Permafrost, ice and snow: Anthropology and the (melting) cryosphere (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 24 - Kultur- und Sozialanthropologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Participation at first session is obligatory!

The lecturer can invite students to a grade-relevant discussion about partial achievements. Partial achievements that are obtained by fraud or plagiarized result in the non-evaluation of the course (entry 'X' in certificate). The plagiarism software 'Turnitin' will be used.
The use of AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) for the attainment of partial achievements is only allowed if explicitly requested by the course instructor.
Moodle
We 25.06. 13:15-16:30 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The course combines a digital introductory session with blocked in-person sessions.

  • Monday 28.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Digital
  • Tuesday 10.06. 16:45 - 20:00 Hörsaal C, NIG 4. Stock
  • Wednesday 11.06. 13:15 - 16:30 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock
  • Thursday 12.06. 13:15 - 16:30 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
  • Thursday 26.06. 11:30 - 14:45 Seminarraum A, NIG 4. Stock
  • Friday 27.06. 13:15 - 16:30 Übungsraum (A414) NIG 4. Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This Master’s-level course explores the cryosphere — the frozen components of the Earth system, including glaciers, permafrost, sea ice, and snow — from an anthropological perspective. As the cryosphere undergoes rapid transformation due to climate change, its social, cultural, and environmental implications demand urgent attention. In this course, we will read and discuss ethnographic studies and critically engage with theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches to analyze the ways humans perceive, interact with, and respond to a changing cryosphere.

Through a mix of readings, lectures, discussions, and participatory activities, the course examines core topics such as: the environmental anthropology of the cryosphere, community-based and participatory approaches, interdisciplinary collaborations, perception studies, and critical perspectives on climate justice and decolonial approaches. Key texts and case studies will anchor the discussions, while students will have opportunities to shape the course content by introducing topics or readings of their interest. Students are expected to read one text per double class (= six in total) as well as one text that they will present to the class. Some texts will be provided, while others can be selected by the students.

By the end of this course, students will:
- Understand what the cryosphere is, how it is changing, and evaluate the social, cultural, and ethical implications of these transformations.
- Understand the cryosphere’s significance within the broader context of environmental anthropology and climate change.
- Critically analyze anthropological theories and methods to studying glaciers, permafrost, sea ice, and snow.
- Develop a nuanced understanding of decolonial approaches and climate justice in relation to the cryosphere.

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Attendance in class is required in order to receive a passing grade.

In order to get a positive grade, you need at least 60 out of a possible 100 points. The following grading scale will be used:
1 ("sehr gut"): 90-100 points
2 ("gut"): 80-89 points
3 ("befriedigend"): 70-79 points
4 ("genügend"): 60-69 points
5 ("nicht genügend"): 0-59 points

Examination topics

Assessment will be based on:
- Active participation in discussions and seminars, based on required readings.
- A presentation on a chosen text or topic.
- A final essay critically engaging with one or more course themes, integrating theoretical and ethnographic insights.

Reading list

The full literature list will be provided at the first seminar. Required reading:

Diemberger, Hildegard and Hovden, Astrid. 2022. "People of the Cryosphere: A Cross-Regional, Cross-Disciplinary Approach to Icescapes in a Changing Climate". Risky Futures: Climate, Geopolitics and Local Realities in the Uncertain Circumpolar North, edited by Olga Ulturgasheva and Barbara Bodenhorn, New York, Oxford: Berghahn Books, pp. 148-175. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781805390640-010

Degai, T., Petrov, A. N., Badhe, R., Egede Dahl, P. P., Döring, N., Dudeck, S., Herrmann, T. M., Golovnev, A., Mack, L., Omma, E. M., Retter, G.-B., Saxinger, G., Scheepstra, A. J. M., Shadrin, C. V., Shorty, N., & Strawhacker, C. (2022). Shaping Arctic’s Tomorrow through Indigenous Knowledge Engagement and Knowledge Co-Production. Sustainability, 14(3), 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031331

Nuttall, M. (2023). Understanding Arctic melt: Reflections on collaborative interdisciplinary research. In Anthropology and climate change (pp. 77–92). Routledge

Ingold, Tim. (2000) Perception of the Environment. Essays on Livelihood, Dwelling and Skill. Chapter 1 "Culture, nature, environment" AND Chapter 3 "Hunting and gathering as ways of perceiving the environment"

Gagné, K., & Drew, G. (2024). Vital Matter: Icy Liveliness in the Anthropocene. Social Anthropology/Anthropologie Sociale, 32(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3167/saas.2024.320102

Bloom, L. E., & Glasberg, E. (2022). Climate change and the new polar aesthetics : artists reimagine the Arctic and Antarctic. Duke University Press. https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/128425

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Fr 25.04.2025 17:46