History of Anthropology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course provides the broad outlines of the history of anthropology (since 1850 to the present day) and the tools necessary to critically understand historical periods of the discipline, their links and the main connections between anthropological studies and the historical, political and philosophical context.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students:
- can present and contextualise the main theoretical perspectives of social and cultural anthropology, as developed from 1850 to the present day;
- recognise the main connections between the authors analysed and the historical, political and philosophical context in which they lived.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students:
- can put forward and outline the main anthropological theories in a historical perspective;
- can articulate anthropological reflections with respect to specific historical contexts;
- can deal with bibliographies in the anthropological domain.
At the end of the course, students:
- can present and contextualise the main theoretical perspectives of social and cultural anthropology, as developed from 1850 to the present day;
- recognise the main connections between the authors analysed and the historical, political and philosophical context in which they lived.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students:
- can put forward and outline the main anthropological theories in a historical perspective;
- can articulate anthropological reflections with respect to specific historical contexts;
- can deal with bibliographies in the anthropological domain.
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) Shared section for the 6 and 9 ECTS programs
This section of the course will provide a comprehensive overview of the history of anthropology from the mid-19th century to the decline of the colonial empires in the latter half of the 20th century. The historical development of the discipline will be examined through the works of key scholars, the analysis of major theoretical frameworks, and their intersections with broader historical processes, including colonial expansion, the political strategies of nation-states, and the Second World War.
2) Additional section for the 9 ECTS program
This part of the course will focus on the anthropology of contemporaneity. In particular, it will address the last decades of the 20th century, examining the so-called "crisis of representation" within anthropological research, exploring its epistemological implications and the ways in which this crisis has influenced, and continues to influence, theoretical orientations and research agendas within the discipline.
The course is intended for students enrolled in the Philosophy degree program and for students from other degree programs within the University who are interested in learning about the history of anthropology.
This section of the course will provide a comprehensive overview of the history of anthropology from the mid-19th century to the decline of the colonial empires in the latter half of the 20th century. The historical development of the discipline will be examined through the works of key scholars, the analysis of major theoretical frameworks, and their intersections with broader historical processes, including colonial expansion, the political strategies of nation-states, and the Second World War.
2) Additional section for the 9 ECTS program
This part of the course will focus on the anthropology of contemporaneity. In particular, it will address the last decades of the 20th century, examining the so-called "crisis of representation" within anthropological research, exploring its epistemological implications and the ways in which this crisis has influenced, and continues to influence, theoretical orientations and research agendas within the discipline.
The course is intended for students enrolled in the Philosophy degree program and for students from other degree programs within the University who are interested in learning about the history of anthropology.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Exam program for attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams.
U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study up to and including Chapter 19, that is, up to page 202.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam.
1. U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study the entire paragraph 20.3 (L'antropologia della contemporaneità), that is, from page 203 to page 222.
2. A short essay chosen from a list of essays that will be provided at a later date.
Exam program for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams.
1. U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study up to and including Chapter 19, that is, up to page 202.
2. M. Aime, Cultura, Turin, Bollati Boringhieri, 2013.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam.
1. U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study the entire paragraph 20.3 (L'antropologia della contemporaneità), that is, from page 203 to page 222.
2. A short essay chosen from a list of essays that will be provided at a later date.
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams.
U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study up to and including Chapter 19, that is, up to page 202.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam.
1. U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study the entire paragraph 20.3 (L'antropologia della contemporaneità), that is, from page 203 to page 222.
2. A short essay chosen from a list of essays that will be provided at a later date.
Exam program for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams.
1. U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study up to and including Chapter 19, that is, up to page 202.
2. M. Aime, Cultura, Turin, Bollati Boringhieri, 2013.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam.
1. U. Fabietti, Storia dell'antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2020 (Fourth Edition). Study the entire paragraph 20.3 (L'antropologia della contemporaneità), that is, from page 203 to page 222.
2. A short essay chosen from a list of essays that will be provided at a later date.
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 historical framework of anthropology.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the History of the Anthropology;
- adequacy of lexicon.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the History of the Anthropology;
- adequacy of lexicon.
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Allovio Stefano
Professor(s)