Cultural Anthropology (advanced)
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid knowledge of the basic concepts, theoretical frameworks and methodological instruments of Cultural Anthropology.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the study path, the graduate: a) has a thoroughly adequate knowledge of the theories and themes dealt with in anthropological domain, and can identify and discuss its crucial points; b) understands the vocabulary and the arguments that can be found in anthropological fields of reflection concerning culture, worldviews, cultural diversity; c) has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising Cultural Anthropology.
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
The course presents some of the main theories and lines of research of social anthropology, with particular attention to ethnographic work and the analysis of the socio-cultural dimension in "micro" contexts. The aim is to relate social anthropology and ethnography, enhancing concepts and techniques of analysis that are based on observation, participation and recording of interactions.
The course is divided into three parts:
1. Theory and practice of ethnography: constituent elements of ethnographic inquiry; role of participant observation; ethical issues and reflexivity in field research.
2. Memory, temporality, travel and mobility phenomena: mobility and migration as social processes; biographical narratives, individual and collective memory; experiences of travel, return and identity transformations.
3. Imagination, communication, agency, aspirations and digital media: social imagination and life projects; forms of communication and representation; aspirations, subjectivity, use of social media and their impact on social relationships.
The course is divided into three parts:
1. Theory and practice of ethnography: constituent elements of ethnographic inquiry; role of participant observation; ethical issues and reflexivity in field research.
2. Memory, temporality, travel and mobility phenomena: mobility and migration as social processes; biographical narratives, individual and collective memory; experiences of travel, return and identity transformations.
3. Imagination, communication, agency, aspirations and digital media: social imagination and life projects; forms of communication and representation; aspirations, subjectivity, use of social media and their impact on social relationships.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is held in Italian. The teaching materials and exam texts presuppose: a basic knowledge of cultural anthropology; the ability to read and use texts in English.
Teaching methods
The course includes: lectures; in-depth seminars; guided discussions in the classroom; any exercises on textual and/or audiovisual materials.
Teaching Resources
1. Texts and articles discussed in class, made available on the University platform.
2. V. Matera (ed.), History of Ethnography, Carocci, Rome, 2020.
3. D. Zeitlyn, An anthropological toolkit: sixty useful concepts. Berghahn Books, 2022.
2. V. Matera (ed.), History of Ethnography, Carocci, Rome, 2020.
3. D. Zeitlyn, An anthropological toolkit: sixty useful concepts. Berghahn Books, 2022.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam.
The exam consists of an oral test on the entire program. There are no subdivisions of the program into optional "parts": the student is required to prepare all the texts indicated. The oral test verifies: knowledge of the texts in the program; the ability to frame and connect themes and authors; critical, expository and argumentative skills.
Assessment criteria:
insufficient: serious gaps in preparation, inadequate exposition, inability to critically analyze texts; sufficient: basic knowledge of the contents, essential understanding of the lines of reflection of social anthropology, correct exposition; good: good command of the texts, ability to connect concepts and authors, clear and coherent exposition; Excellent: in-depth knowledge of the contents, critical and autonomous use of the bibliography, excellent argumentative skills and clarity of exposition.
For clarifications on the program, bibliography or exam preparation, the teacher can be contacted by e-mail and/or during office hours.
The exam consists of an oral test on the entire program. There are no subdivisions of the program into optional "parts": the student is required to prepare all the texts indicated. The oral test verifies: knowledge of the texts in the program; the ability to frame and connect themes and authors; critical, expository and argumentative skills.
Assessment criteria:
insufficient: serious gaps in preparation, inadequate exposition, inability to critically analyze texts; sufficient: basic knowledge of the contents, essential understanding of the lines of reflection of social anthropology, correct exposition; good: good command of the texts, ability to connect concepts and authors, clear and coherent exposition; Excellent: in-depth knowledge of the contents, critical and autonomous use of the bibliography, excellent argumentative skills and clarity of exposition.
For clarifications on the program, bibliography or exam preparation, the teacher can be contacted by e-mail and/or during office hours.
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Bonfanti Sara
Professor(s)