Social Anthropology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid knowledge of the concepts, theoretical frameworks and methodological instruments of Social Anthropology.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- has a thoroughly adequate knowledge of the theories and themes dealt with in anthropological domain, and can identify and discuss its crucial points;
- understands the vocabulary and the arguments that can be found in anthropological fields of reflection concerning social organisations and systems of thoughts in different cultures;
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising Social Anthropology.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can put forward and outline the main conceptual contributions of Social Anthropology;
- can apply the knowledge acquired in anthropological domain to discuss theses, rework problems and make critical judgments in relation to the issues addressed;
- can apply the conceptual structures of the anthropological sciences to the significant dimensions of contemporary cultural debate.
At the end of the course, the student
- has a thoroughly adequate knowledge of the theories and themes dealt with in anthropological domain, and can identify and discuss its crucial points;
- understands the vocabulary and the arguments that can be found in anthropological fields of reflection concerning social organisations and systems of thoughts in different cultures;
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising Social Anthropology.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- can put forward and outline the main conceptual contributions of Social Anthropology;
- can apply the knowledge acquired in anthropological domain to discuss theses, rework problems and make critical judgments in relation to the issues addressed;
- can apply the conceptual structures of the anthropological sciences to the significant dimensions of contemporary cultural debate.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
1. Lessons for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Social anthropology: perspectives and topics of research
Introduction to the theoretical framework and the main topics and methodologies of research in social anthropology. Thereafter, specific attention will be paid to Marcel Mauss, Essai sur le don, one of the most influential works in the history of the discipline.
2. Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
Gift, reciprocity and sharing in the history of anthropology.
The theme of "gift" will be presented in historical perspective, through the theoretical contributions of many anthropologists such as: Malinowski, Firth, Sahlins, Godbout, Godelier, Weiner, Appadurai
The course is open to all students of the master's degree course in Philosophical Sciences and to all students of other master's degree courses of the University of Milan who are interested in learning the theoretical concepts of Social Anthropology. From this course students can obtain ECTS useful for accessing to teaching positions in secondary schools (for more info see: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-post-laurea/formazione-insegnanti-for24)
Social anthropology: perspectives and topics of research
Introduction to the theoretical framework and the main topics and methodologies of research in social anthropology. Thereafter, specific attention will be paid to Marcel Mauss, Essai sur le don, one of the most influential works in the history of the discipline.
2. Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
Gift, reciprocity and sharing in the history of anthropology.
The theme of "gift" will be presented in historical perspective, through the theoretical contributions of many anthropologists such as: Malinowski, Firth, Sahlins, Godbout, Godelier, Weiner, Appadurai
The course is open to all students of the master's degree course in Philosophical Sciences and to all students of other master's degree courses of the University of Milan who are interested in learning the theoretical concepts of Social Anthropology. From this course students can obtain ECTS useful for accessing to teaching positions in secondary schools (for more info see: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-post-laurea/formazione-insegnanti-for24)
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Group work
Debate and discussion
Group work
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018. (Students who have already taken M-DEA/01 exams, for example Cultural Anthropology, must replace this text with the following: A. Barnard, History of anthropological thought, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2002) .
M. Mauss, Saggio sul dono. Forme e motivo dello scambio nelle società arcaiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2002 (or later editions).
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
M. Aria, I doni di Mauss. Percorsi di antropologia economica, Roma, CISU, 2016.
Readings and assignments for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018. (Students who have already taken M-DEA/01 exams, for example Cultural Anthropology, must replace this text with the following: A. Barnard, History of anthropological thought, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2002) .
M. Mauss, Saggio sul dono. Forme e motivo dello scambio nelle società arcaiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2002 (or later editions).
A. Favole, La bussola dell'antropologo. Orientarsi in un mare di culture, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2018.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
M. Aria, I doni di Mauss. Percorsi di antropologia economica, Roma, CISU, 2016.
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018. (Students who have already taken M-DEA/01 exams, for example Cultural Anthropology, must replace this text with the following: A. Barnard, History of anthropological thought, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2002) .
M. Mauss, Saggio sul dono. Forme e motivo dello scambio nelle società arcaiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2002 (or later editions).
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
M. Aria, I doni di Mauss. Percorsi di antropologia economica, Roma, CISU, 2016.
Readings and assignments for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018. (Students who have already taken M-DEA/01 exams, for example Cultural Anthropology, must replace this text with the following: A. Barnard, History of anthropological thought, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2002) .
M. Mauss, Saggio sul dono. Forme e motivo dello scambio nelle società arcaiche, Torino, Einaudi, 2002 (or later editions).
A. Favole, La bussola dell'antropologo. Orientarsi in un mare di culture, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2018.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
M. Aria, I doni di Mauss. Percorsi di antropologia economica, Roma, CISU, 2016.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will be oral. Its purpose will be to test the knowledge of the volumes indicated in the reading list, with reference to the theoretical framework, the methods and the research topics of cultural anthropology.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course;
- ability to exemplify concepts;
- adequacy of lexicon.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course;
- ability to exemplify concepts;
- adequacy of lexicon.
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)