Cultural Anthropology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid general knowledge of the basic concepts, theoretical frameworks and methodological instruments of Cultural Anthropology, and to enable them to use the anthropological thought as a critical contribution to their own future studies, researches and activities in intercultural contexts.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- knows the theoretical fundamentals of Cultural Anthropology;
- knows the main perspectives of anthropological reflection about culture, worldviews, cultural diversity;
- knows the main methodological instruments (including participant observation as immersive research practice and the comparative method) and and the basic bibliographic elements of intellectual work in the field of Cultural 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 Cultural Anthropology;
- can articulate anthropological reflections with respect to specific contexts;
- can apply knowledge for the purpose of i
nterpreting and commenting situations, written and oral texts, videos and social media contents;
- can deal with bibliographies in the anthropological domain.
At the end of the course, the student
- knows the theoretical fundamentals of Cultural Anthropology;
- knows the main perspectives of anthropological reflection about culture, worldviews, cultural diversity;
- knows the main methodological instruments (including participant observation as immersive research practice and the comparative method) and and the basic bibliographic elements of intellectual work in the field of Cultural 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 Cultural Anthropology;
- can articulate anthropological reflections with respect to specific contexts;
- can apply knowledge for the purpose of i
nterpreting and commenting situations, written and oral texts, videos and social media contents;
- can deal with bibliographies in the anthropological domain.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
6- and 9-CFU program (common part):
Focus on the main theories of Cultural Anthropology, the historical development of the discipline, key research areas, and fieldwork methodologies. Core concepts include the nature/culture dichotomy, cultural diversity, social structures, worldviews, mobility, and human-environment relations. Critical discussion of race, culture, and ethnicity.
9-CFU program (additional part):
Overview of theoretical approaches to society-environment interactions, emphasizing recent developments. Analysis of symbolic representations and cultural practices, with attention to Indigenous perspectives and relational cosmologies between humans and non-humans.
Focus on the main theories of Cultural Anthropology, the historical development of the discipline, key research areas, and fieldwork methodologies. Core concepts include the nature/culture dichotomy, cultural diversity, social structures, worldviews, mobility, and human-environment relations. Critical discussion of race, culture, and ethnicity.
9-CFU program (additional part):
Overview of theoretical approaches to society-environment interactions, emphasizing recent developments. Analysis of symbolic representations and cultural practices, with attention to Indigenous perspectives and relational cosmologies between humans and non-humans.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required
Teaching methods
Lectures
Discussions
Discussions
Teaching Resources
EXAM SYLLABUS FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Common part of the 6- and 9-CFU program:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (eds.), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali. New edition, Milan: Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
C. Lévi-Strauss, Siamo tutti cannibali, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2022.
Additional part for the 9-CFU program:
One volume to choose from:
- E. Borgnino, Ecologie Native, Milan: Eleuthera, 2022.
-E. Fusar Poli, Il contagio della vita comune, Milan: Unicopli, 2025.
-S. Allovio, Pigmei, Europei e altri selvaggi, Rome: Laterza, 2018.
-M. Tassan, Amazzonia Incantata. Luoghi, corpi e malattie in una comunità afro-discendente del Brasile, Rome: CISU, 2017.
EXAM SYLLABUS FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Common part of the 6- and 9-CFU program:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (eds.), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali. New edition, Milan: Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
C. Lévi-Strauss, Siamo tutti cannibali, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2022.
E. Fabiano & G. Mangiameli (eds.), Dialoghi con i non umani, Milan: Mimesis, 2019 (students are required to study the introduction and 5 essays of their choice from this volume).
Additional part for the 9-CFU program:
One volume to choose from:
-E. Borgnino, Ecologie Native, Milan: Eleuthera, 2022.
-E. Fusar Poli, Il contagio della vita comune, Milan: Unicopli, 2025.
-S. Allovio, Pigmei, Europei e altri selvaggi, Rome: Laterza, 2018.
-M. Tassan, Amazzonia Incantata. Luoghi, corpi e malattie in una comunità afro-discendente del Brasile, Rome: CISU, 2017.
Common part of the 6- and 9-CFU program:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (eds.), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali. New edition, Milan: Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
C. Lévi-Strauss, Siamo tutti cannibali, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2022.
Additional part for the 9-CFU program:
One volume to choose from:
- E. Borgnino, Ecologie Native, Milan: Eleuthera, 2022.
-E. Fusar Poli, Il contagio della vita comune, Milan: Unicopli, 2025.
-S. Allovio, Pigmei, Europei e altri selvaggi, Rome: Laterza, 2018.
-M. Tassan, Amazzonia Incantata. Luoghi, corpi e malattie in una comunità afro-discendente del Brasile, Rome: CISU, 2017.
EXAM SYLLABUS FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Common part of the 6- and 9-CFU program:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (eds.), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali. New edition, Milan: Raffaello Cortina, 2024.
C. Lévi-Strauss, Siamo tutti cannibali, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2022.
E. Fabiano & G. Mangiameli (eds.), Dialoghi con i non umani, Milan: Mimesis, 2019 (students are required to study the introduction and 5 essays of their choice from this volume).
Additional part for the 9-CFU program:
One volume to choose from:
-E. Borgnino, Ecologie Native, Milan: Eleuthera, 2022.
-E. Fusar Poli, Il contagio della vita comune, Milan: Unicopli, 2025.
-S. Allovio, Pigmei, Europei e altri selvaggi, Rome: Laterza, 2018.
-M. Tassan, Amazzonia Incantata. Luoghi, corpi e malattie in una comunità afro-discendente del Brasile, Rome: CISU, 2017.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and consists of an interview aimed at assessing knowledge of the prescribed texts, as well as understanding of the theoretical framework, methodology, and research themes of the discipline.
Assessment will take into account:
- the level of theoretical knowledge,
- the ability to exemplify and apply concepts,
- the precision of vocabulary.
Assessment will take into account:
- the level of theoretical knowledge,
- the ability to exemplify and apply concepts,
- the precision of vocabulary.
Modules or teaching units
Part C
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Parts A and B
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor(s)