Anthropology of the Ancient World
A.Y. 2020/2021
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
If social distancing continue to be required in the spring term, the course will be delivered through a blended-learning approach. Some lectures (if possible) will continue face-to-face (but made available online for streaming) and some lectures will be moved online. In the latter case, contents will be delivered via Microsoft Teams platform, where mostly recorded (asynchronous) lectures will be made available.
Online classes links, changes in the course schedule, in the course contents or in the reading list will be promptly published in the course site on Ariel platform.
If social distancing continue to be required in spring term, oral exams will be held online (guidelines will be published in the course site on Ariel platform).
Online classes links, changes in the course schedule, in the course contents or in the reading list will be promptly published in the course site on Ariel platform.
If social distancing continue to be required in spring term, oral exams will be held online (guidelines will be published in the course site on Ariel platform).
Course syllabus
The course, addressed both to students with a basic knowledge of classical languages, and to those who do not meet these requirements, consists of two units.
Part A (Prof. Silvia Romani) will provide an introduction to historical anthropology of the Classical world and to some of the main themes of research in this field.
Part B (Dr. Doralice Fabiano) considers the multiple meanings and uses of the veil in classical cultures (Greece and Rome), through the reading of textual and iconographic sources both in mythical accounts and in everyday life. A special attention will be paid to the contemporary debate on islamic veil and to the way it has influenced classical studies.
Part A (Prof. Silvia Romani) will provide an introduction to historical anthropology of the Classical world and to some of the main themes of research in this field.
Part B (Dr. Doralice Fabiano) considers the multiple meanings and uses of the veil in classical cultures (Greece and Rome), through the reading of textual and iconographic sources both in mythical accounts and in everyday life. A special attention will be paid to the contemporary debate on islamic veil and to the way it has influenced classical studies.
Prerequisites for admission
The course has no entry requirements
Teaching methods
The course is lecture-based
Teaching Resources
Reading List:
ATTENDING BA Students:
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters from I to XI
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
Part B:
- Pietro Giammellaro, «Velo si dice in molti modi. Coprirsi il capo nell'epica greca arcaica», in Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017, pp. 49-57 (available here https://www.academia.edu/33911190/Velo_si_dice_in_molti_modi._Coprirsi_il_capo_nellepica_greca_arcaica )
- Francesca Romana Nocchi, «Obnubilatio Capitis. Simbologia sacra e profana del velo nell'antica Roma», in Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017, pp. 47-77.
NON ATTENDING BA students:
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters from I to XI
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
- Giulio Guidorizzi, Il compagno dell'anima, Milano, Cortina, 2013.
Part B:
- Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017.
ATTENDING Master Students
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters from I to XI (English translation available The World through Roman Eyes, Cambridge UP, 2018)
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
- Giulio Guidorizzi, Il compagno dell'anima, Milano, Cortina, 2013.
Part B:
- Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017.
NON ATTENDING Master Students
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, (ALL CHAPTERS, English translation available The World through Roman Eyes, Cambridge UP, 2018))
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
- Giulio Guidorizzi, Il compagno dell'anima, Milano, Cortina, 2013.
Part B:
- Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017.
ATTENDING BA Students:
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters from I to XI
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
Part B:
- Pietro Giammellaro, «Velo si dice in molti modi. Coprirsi il capo nell'epica greca arcaica», in Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017, pp. 49-57 (available here https://www.academia.edu/33911190/Velo_si_dice_in_molti_modi._Coprirsi_il_capo_nellepica_greca_arcaica )
- Francesca Romana Nocchi, «Obnubilatio Capitis. Simbologia sacra e profana del velo nell'antica Roma», in Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017, pp. 47-77.
NON ATTENDING BA students:
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters from I to XI
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
- Giulio Guidorizzi, Il compagno dell'anima, Milano, Cortina, 2013.
Part B:
- Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017.
ATTENDING Master Students
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, chapters from I to XI (English translation available The World through Roman Eyes, Cambridge UP, 2018)
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
- Giulio Guidorizzi, Il compagno dell'anima, Milano, Cortina, 2013.
Part B:
- Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017.
NON ATTENDING Master Students
Part A:
- Maurizio Bettini, William M. Short, Con i Romani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014, (ALL CHAPTERS, English translation available The World through Roman Eyes, Cambridge UP, 2018))
- Claude Lévi-Strauss, Mito e significato. Cinque conversazioni, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 2016.
- Giulio Guidorizzi, Il compagno dell'anima, Milano, Cortina, 2013.
Part B:
- Marianna Ferrara, Alessandro Saggioro, Giuseppina Paola Viscardi (a cura di), Le verità del velo, Società Editrice Fiorentina, Firenze 2017.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students'assessment will be determined by means of a final an oral exam. 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.
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/06 - HISTORY OF RELIGIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Romani Silvia
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/06 - HISTORY OF RELIGIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Fabiano Doralice
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 10.30 (in person), scheduled only
in person, cortile della legnaia, first floor (geography's section, first door on the left); on line via teams (scheduled only)