Teaching code

4S007523

Teacher

Fabio Vicini

Coordinator

Fabio Vicini

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

Period

Sem. 2A dal Feb 13, 2023 al Mar 30, 2023.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

Knowledge and capacity to understand:
- knowledge of the problems related to cultural differences;
- knowledge of the main schools and theories of socio-cultural anthropological thought.
Capacity to apply knowledge:
- ability to comprehend cultural diversity.
Independent judgment:
- ability to assess autonomously the origin, main traits, and meaning of the topics discussed in the course;
- ability to assess autonomously specific socio-cultural issues.
Communication skills:
- ability to talk about cultural differences in the appropriate language.
Capacity to learn:
- acquiring the skills needed to continue studying at a Master's degree level.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The course is introductory. Therefore no previous knowledge of the topic is required.

Program

Contents:
The main contents of the course follow the evolution of anthropological thought in stages, starting from the second half of the 19th century to today. In particular, it will focus on the following schools:
- Evolutionist anthropology of the 19th century and the American school;
- French anthropology and the study of "primitive societies";
- French ethno-sociology;
- The development of American cultural anthropology;
- Malinowski and the origins of the ethnographic method;
- British structural-functionalism;
- The structural anthropology of Lévi-Strauss;
- Interactionist theories;
- Marxist anthropology;
- The interpretative turn in anthropology;
- Main contemporary debates and issues.
The exploration of the themes above will introduce the students to:
- the main acquisitions of anthropology regarding human worldviews and creativity: from myth to ritual, from religion to the cognitive dimension of human experience;
- the anthropological perspective on the social dimensions of human life such as family, power, politics, economics, and forms of human organization;
- the contribution of the discipline to the study of human life in today's complex society.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course is based on frontal lessons supported by multimedia content (slides, videos, and photos) and the exploration of ethnographic cases.
The recording of the lectures will be made available by the professor until the end of the course.
Note: In the cases provided by the law and/or of particular measures adopted by the University, the teaching activities might be conducted from remote.
Main texts for the final exam:
1. Ugo Fabietti, 2020, Storia dell'antropologia, 4th edition, Zanichelli, Bologna. Study only the following chapters 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 (until page 221).
2. Choose one of the two following texts:
- Edward E. Evans Pritchard, 2002, Stregoneria, oracoli e magia tra gli Azande, Raffaello Cortina, Milano (Note: study only from p. 1 to p. 190).
- Marcel Mauss, 2002, Saggio sul dono, Einuadi, Introduzione di Marco Aime.

Learning assessment procedures

The examination consists of a single oral examination. There are no differences in the program between attending and non-attending students.
The oral examination is based on open questions to the students.
Note: In the cases provided by the law and/or of particular measures adopted by the University, the examination might be conducted from remote.

Evaluation criteria

Students will have to demonstrate to:
- have understood the main currents of anthropological thought from the origins to the present day;
- know how to place the key notions and basic principles of the discipline within these currents;
- be able to synthesize and present their arguments rigorously and by demonstrating the ability to use appropriate anthropological language;
- know how to associate one or more ethnographic examples (among those treated in class and/or found in the monograph) to each argument and theory.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The evaluation of the oral examination will take place in thirtieths.

Exam language

Italiano