OVERVIEW

Cultural anthropology today perhaps has a different function than in the past: it is useful in providing transversal and oblique interpretations of the complexity of today's phenomena, or at least of their perceived greater complexity. Adopting an 'other' gaze, a different perspective, allows today's phenomena to be analysed in the light of other narratives and other worldviews and to relativise problems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides an introduction to cultural anthropology through the analysis of the main methods of of investigation and the most relevant topics. The course aims to provide brief outlines of the history of anthropological thought and the basic theoretical and empirical tools of the discipline.

The course therefore aims to provide students with solid basic knowledge in anthropology

cultural anthropology, presenting some constitutive notions of the discipline: culture, cultural relativism ethnicity, the body, gift, power, gender, etc.

The course also aims to present the main theoretical paradigms  theoretical paradigms and methodological specificities of anthropology such as field research, decentralisation

of the gaze, data collection and its restitution.

The final part of the course will focus on the theme of 'nature', the climate crisis and the anthropocene.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

To create greater sensitivity to cultural diversity. To provide critical tools for analysing the complexity that marks our age. To provide different keys for reading western society.

At the end of the course, the student will possess the following knowledge, skills and competences: in

-depth knowledge of anthropological reflection on the concept of culture and of the

ethnographic method;

- the ability to apply theoretical-methodological knowledge to read phenomena of

contemporary phenomena in a critical manner;

- ability to autonomously use the ethnographic method in research aimed at proposing

effective modes of intervention;

- awareness of the importance of the researcher's positioning in the analysis of social facts and

of his ethical and deontological responsibilities and ability to take this into account in the drafting of projects applications.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be held in presence. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course includes a first part of introduction to the ethno-anthropological disciplines, starting from the history of anthropology up to its contemporary developments. In a second part, the research and communication methods of the discipline will be explored, to then address the different social fields that anthropology investigates, to find out how this discipline differs from other social disciplines. In particular, issues concerning cultural specificities and their connections and the historical relationship of humans with the environment will be addressed, from the first forms of domestication up to the Anthropocene.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliografia per gli studenti che utilizzano l'insegnamento per 6 cfu

M. Aime, Primo libro di antropologia, Einaudi, Torino.

J. Diamond, Armi, acciaio e malattie, Einaudi, Torino.

Bibliografia per gli studenti che utilizzano l'insegnamento per 9 cfu

M. Aime, Primo libro di antropologia, Einaudi, Torino.

J. Diamond, Armi, acciaio e malattie, Einaudi, Torino.

A. Staid, Essere natura. Uno sguardo antropologico per cambiare il nostro rapporto con l'ambiente, UTET, 2022.

The program for non-attending students is the same

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARCO AIME (President)

SALVATORE BRUNO BARBA

GAIA COTTINO (Substitute)

SALVATORE BRUNO BARBA (President)

SARA BONFANTI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

18 September 2023

Class schedule

CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written examinations in presence.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written exam is aimed at evaluating, proportionally, the student's knowledge and ability to critically elaborate the basic concepts of anthropological analysis, his ability to connect these concepts with the surrounding reality and to obtain a reading from them articulated. The evaluation of the writings will take into account the knowledge of the exam texts, the cited authors and their thoughts, the quality of the presentation, but above all the ability to connect the topics studied with contemporary reality and the critical spirit with which the proposed topics.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Any information will be communicated via aulaweb to which all course participants are asked to register