Anthropology of the Ancient World
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to offer students a general overview of the discipline that places it in the wake of historical anthropology, to understand the contribution that the temporal and historical dimension of cultural and social processes offers to the construction of the identity of the ancients, but also of contemporary identity. Particular attention will be paid to the identification and definition of the emic categories, i.e. the hermeneutic categories applied by the cultures under investigation, in contrast with the ethical categories: the paradigms of the culture of the researcher. The anthropology of the ancient world intends to offer the student the critical tools necessary to face the social and cultural phenomena of classical antiquity, on the basis of a careful and competent reading of the sources.
For its very genesis, the Anthropology of the classical world was born as a discipline synergistic with the teaching of Religions of the classical world and that of Classical Mythology.
For its very genesis, the Anthropology of the classical world was born as a discipline synergistic with the teaching of Religions of the classical world and that of Classical Mythology.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: the student will be guided to the reconstruction of the different approaches available to the cultural anthropologist of ancient societies: genesis of the different possibilities of analysis, presentation of emblematic cases. She will also be able to reflect in an organic way on the complexity of the anthropological fabric that underlies one of the most significant community and individual experiences within traditional cultures.
Skills: the student will be able to interpret different phenomena with a look at both the overall reading of the examples proposed and the texts, while at the same time enhancing their personal wealth of knowledge. She will also be able to decode the similarities and differences between the different ways and occasions of presenting the problem.
Skills: the student will be able to interpret different phenomena with a look at both the overall reading of the examples proposed and the texts, while at the same time enhancing their personal wealth of knowledge. She will also be able to decode the similarities and differences between the different ways and occasions of presenting the problem.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Unità didattica A (20 ore, 3 cfu): Guidelines
Unità didattica B (20 ore, 3 cfu): Birth and Motherhood in the ancient world
The course is aimed both at students with a basic knowledge of classical languages (Greek and Latin), and at those who do not meet these requirements. It consists of two teaching units. The first is a general overview dedicated to the presentation of the most relevant topics of reflection related to cultural anthropology of the ancient world, as a tool for independent reflection on social and cultural phenomena of Greek and Latin societies. (Didactic Unit A: Introductory course). Subsequently, we will examine some relevant examples that allow us to analsze, from an anthropological perspective, the complex theme of birth and motherhood (Educational Unit B: Birth and Motherhood in the Ancient World).
Unità didattica B (20 ore, 3 cfu): Birth and Motherhood in the ancient world
The course is aimed both at students with a basic knowledge of classical languages (Greek and Latin), and at those who do not meet these requirements. It consists of two teaching units. The first is a general overview dedicated to the presentation of the most relevant topics of reflection related to cultural anthropology of the ancient world, as a tool for independent reflection on social and cultural phenomena of Greek and Latin societies. (Didactic Unit A: Introductory course). Subsequently, we will examine some relevant examples that allow us to analsze, from an anthropological perspective, the complex theme of birth and motherhood (Educational Unit B: Birth and Motherhood in the Ancient World).
Prerequisites for admission
The course has no access requirements
Teaching methods
This course is lecture-based
Teaching Resources
Bibliography (attending students, bachelor)
Unit A
All students are required to read:
Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters I-XI
Unità B
All students are required to read: Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.
Bibliography (not attending students, bachelor)
Unità A
All students are required to read:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Elogio dell'antropologia, Torino, Einaudi, 2008 (available on the Ariel platform at the beginning of the course)
Unit B
All students are required to read: Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Einaudi e di Silvia Romani, Nascite speciali, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2004.
Bibliography (attending students, master)
Unit A
All students are required to read:
Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
Unit B
All students are required to read: Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Torino, Einaudi, 2018 e di Silvia Romani, Nascite speciali, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso 2004.
Bibliography (not attending students, master)
Unit A
All students are required to read:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
- James G. Frazer, Matriarcato e dee madri, Milano, Mimesis, 2014.
Unit B
All students are required to read:
- Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.
- Silvia Romani, Nascite speciali, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2004.
- Eva Cantarella, Bachofen e l'antropologia, «Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa», v. 18, No. 2 (1988), pp. 679-695 (available on the Ariel platform at the beginning of the course)
Unit A
All students are required to read:
Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters I-XI
Unità B
All students are required to read: Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.
Bibliography (not attending students, bachelor)
Unità A
All students are required to read:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Elogio dell'antropologia, Torino, Einaudi, 2008 (available on the Ariel platform at the beginning of the course)
Unit B
All students are required to read: Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Einaudi e di Silvia Romani, Nascite speciali, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2004.
Bibliography (attending students, master)
Unit A
All students are required to read:
Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
Unit B
All students are required to read: Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Torino, Einaudi, 2018 e di Silvia Romani, Nascite speciali, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso 2004.
Bibliography (not attending students, master)
Unit A
All students are required to read:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
- James G. Frazer, Matriarcato e dee madri, Milano, Mimesis, 2014.
Unit B
All students are required to read:
- Maurizio Bettini, Nascere. Storie di donne, donnole, madri ed eroi, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.
- Silvia Romani, Nascite speciali, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2004.
- Eva Cantarella, Bachofen e l'antropologia, «Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa», v. 18, No. 2 (1988), pp. 679-695 (available on the Ariel platform at the beginning of the course)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is exclusively oral and the grading system is based on a 30 points scale (18 is the minimum passing grade). The oral assessment will test the knowledge both of the general topics presented in the first teaching unit and of the specific topics related to the other two units. The exam will also test the ability both to discuss critically the topic studied and to use the appropriate vocabulary of History of Religions. Performance descriptors are : knowledge accuracy, ability to present critically a topic, speech organization, fluency and appropriate vocabulary.
National and international students or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course in a timely manner.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with learning disabilities must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
National and international students or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course in a timely manner.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with learning disabilities must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/06 - HISTORY OF RELIGIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/06 - HISTORY OF RELIGIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 10.30 (in person)
in person, cortile della legnaia, first floor (geography's section, first door on the left); on line via teams (scheduled only)