Cultural Anthropology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course presents an introduction to cultural anthropology through the examination of its key concepts and then deepens the theme of material culture, proposing a reflection on the relationship between men, objects, knowledge and imaginations, on the ways in which forms of circulation and exchange of objects (goods, objects of art, technologies) produce social relationships and how culture is constituted through objectification. The reflection is completed with two paths to choose from: in the first one, the topic of consumption is studied from the point of view of cultural anthropology; the second one deals with the theme of human production capacities in interaction with materiality and the environment
Expected learning outcomes
Through frontal lectures and in-class discussions, at the end of the course students should be able to:
1.Critically debate key questions of cultural anthropology: the notion of culture, cultural difference, social organization, relativism and universalism
2. Critically debate key questions of material culture theory: exchange theory, gift, agency, embodiment etc.
3. Analyse specific case studies related to material culture, consumption, globalization
1.Critically debate key questions of cultural anthropology: the notion of culture, cultural difference, social organization, relativism and universalism
2. Critically debate key questions of material culture theory: exchange theory, gift, agency, embodiment etc.
3. Analyse specific case studies related to material culture, consumption, globalization
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
The course, divided into 3 teaching units, offers an introduction to cultural anthropology in part 1 and then focuses on material culture in part 2, proposing a reflection on the relationship between men, objects, knowledge and imaginations, on the ways in which forms of circulation and exchange of objects (goods, art objects, technologies) produce social relationships and how culture is constituted through objectification. In part 3 the reflection on the forms of cultural production and on material culture is completed with two paths to choose from: the first one will develop the theme of consumption from the point of view of cultural anthropology, the second one will develop the theme of human production capacities in interaction with the environment and materiality.
For information on exam materials and teaching materials: http://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it (section teaching materials 2019-20)
For information on exam materials and teaching materials: http://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it (section teaching materials 2019-20)
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures
Exercises on slides (https://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/)
Exercises on slides (https://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/)
Teaching Resources
Teaching unit A (3 credits):
Exam program for attending students:
Allovio S., Ciabarri L., Mangiameli G. (edited by), Antropologia Culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018.
Teaching unit B (3 credits)
Exam program for attending students:
Ciabarri L. (edited by) "Cultura Materiale. Oggetti, immaginari, desideri in viaggio tra mondi ", Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018 new edition.
(for usage information see https://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/ bulletin board 2019-20)
Teaching unit C (3 credits):
Exam program for attending students:
Optionally, one of the following two texts:
- Meloni P., Antropologia del Consumo, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
- Ingold T., Making. Antropologia, archeologia, arte e architettura, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2019.
Teaching unit A (3 credits)
Exam program for non-attending students:
Allovio S., Ciabarri L., Mangiameli G. (edited by), Antropologia Culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018
Teaching unit B (3 credits)
Exam program for non-attending students:
Ciabarri L. (edited by) "Cultura Materiale. Oggetti, immaginari, desideri in viaggio tra mondi ", Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018 new edition.
(for usage information see https://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/ bulletin board 2019-20)
Teaching unit C (3 credits)
Exam program for non-attending students:
Optionally, one of the following two texts:
- Meloni P., Antropologia del Consumo, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
- Ingold T., Making. Antropologia, archeologia, arte e architettura, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2019.
Exam program for attending students:
Allovio S., Ciabarri L., Mangiameli G. (edited by), Antropologia Culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018.
Teaching unit B (3 credits)
Exam program for attending students:
Ciabarri L. (edited by) "Cultura Materiale. Oggetti, immaginari, desideri in viaggio tra mondi ", Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018 new edition.
(for usage information see https://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/ bulletin board 2019-20)
Teaching unit C (3 credits):
Exam program for attending students:
Optionally, one of the following two texts:
- Meloni P., Antropologia del Consumo, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
- Ingold T., Making. Antropologia, archeologia, arte e architettura, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2019.
Teaching unit A (3 credits)
Exam program for non-attending students:
Allovio S., Ciabarri L., Mangiameli G. (edited by), Antropologia Culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018
Teaching unit B (3 credits)
Exam program for non-attending students:
Ciabarri L. (edited by) "Cultura Materiale. Oggetti, immaginari, desideri in viaggio tra mondi ", Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018 new edition.
(for usage information see https://lciabarriac.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/ bulletin board 2019-20)
Teaching unit C (3 credits)
Exam program for non-attending students:
Optionally, one of the following two texts:
- Meloni P., Antropologia del Consumo, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
- Ingold T., Making. Antropologia, archeologia, arte e architettura, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2019.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam.
Basic Objectives: fundamental concepts such as culture, cultural difference, social organization, relativism and universalism according to the scientific point of view of cultural anthropology.
Basic Objectives: fundamental concepts such as culture, cultural difference, social organization, relativism and universalism according to the scientific point of view of cultural anthropology.
Unita' didattica A
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours: online (via Teams or Skype)or in presence meeting: FRIDAY, h. 09,30-12,30; for online meeting students are invited to send a Teams message to the teacher from 9,30 to 11,00; the teacher will answer indicating the time of the call
In presence meeting: (from 17/2 to 9/5) via Noto 8