Cultural Anthropology

A.Y. 2022/2023
12
Max ECTS
80
Overall hours
SSD
M-DEA/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide:
- knowledge of the main epistemological paradigm of cultural anthropology:
- knowledge of the ethnographic method and its transformations during the twentieth century;
- knowledge of key terms of anthropology (culture, cultural relativism, gift, ritual, identity, habitus, agency) and ability to apply them for the analysis of events in the contemporary world;
- reflective, critical skills, aptitude for dialogue and participation;
- knowledge and skills on the fundamental themes of anthropology of education
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student should possess:
- In-Depth Knowledge of the concept of culture and ethnography;
- knowledge of the major anthropological theories and ability to use them to interpret and to analyse daily life
- Critical thinking skills needed to compare different cultural contexts;
- Ability to apply anthropological Knowledge and understanding in relation to the construction of research desig
- Awareness of the responsibility in applied anthropology -
- Reading skills, also useful for application purposes, of the main socio-cultural phenomena related educational contexts and processes
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 trimester
Course syllabus
In the first three modules we study the fundamental moments in the history of anthropological thought as knowledge of difference (which aims to think, understand and describe cultural otherness) and as critical knowledge (whose purpose is the deconstruction of our common sense).
We therefore face the main epistemological paradigms, from evolutionism to contemporary anthropology, focusing on the main concepts and themes of anthropological knowledge (culture, cultural relativism, gift, ritual, identity, habitus, agency).
A space will be given to reading and commenting on exemplary passages in the history of anthropological thought.

The fourth module is reserved for the anthropology of education. Through an interactive teaching method, based on the classroom discussion of selected articles and passages, we will question ourselves on the role of the school in global society.
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires the knowledge of twentieth century history and history of philosophy.
Teaching methods
The cultural anthropology class experiments with a participatory teaching methodology.
Four students of the degree course (Lorenzo Costa from the second year, Chiara Dottore, Federica Esposito, Silvia Zerboni from the third year) have collaborated with the teacher in defining the objectives, the expected results and the program of the course and will support teaching with peer to peer activity.
The teaching of the course offers lectures, practical exercises, case studies, guest lectures, video projection.
Slides, educational material, references will be available at the end of each lesson on the course website abiscaldi.ariel.ctu.unimi.it end in Teams.
Teaching Resources
Attending Students:
- Fabietti, Ugo, Storia dell'antropologia, quarta edizione, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2020 (capitoli 2,3,4,6,8,9,11,13,14,15,17,18,20 e relative letture)
- A module of your choice among seven (representation of childhood, educational responsibility, social reproduction, control/responsibility, deschooling, ideology, multiculturalism)
Not attengind students
- Fabietti, Ugo, Storia dell'antropologia, quarta edizione, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2020 (capitoli 2,3,4,6,8,9,11,13,14,15,17,18,20 e relative letture)
- Manuela Tassan, Antropologia per insegnare, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2020
- Biscaldi Angela, Etnografia della responsabilità educativa, Archetipo Libri, Bologna, 2013
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam is an oral exam where students will discuss topics covered during the course.
Attending students have to write a report on educational anthropology topics that is a prerequisite to the oral exam.
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professor: Biscaldi Angela
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)