Linguistic Anthropology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
Starting from an idea of communication as a multimodal and multisensorial mode of human interconnection, the course proposes a critical reflection on the semiotic resources - primarily linguistic - that human beings use in their communicative acting and interacting, according to historical and cultural models and within sociopolitical and economic frameworks.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will know the theoretical foundations of the discipline, will handle the specific terminology, and will be able to reflect critically on examples of field research and concrete case studies.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
Unit 1.
The concept of culture
1. What is cultural anthropology;
2. The concept of culture;
3. Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism;
4. Ethnography.
Unit 2.
Processes of sociocultural transformation.
5. Anthropologists and ethnographers: interpreting cultures;
6. Cultural identity;
7. Uniformity and diversity of cultures;
8. Cultural "traffic".
Unit 3.
Modernity. Imagination. Subjectivity.
9. Forms of mobility: emigrants, immigrants, foreigners, travelers, tourists;
10. Desires for modernity;
11. Construction of memory and cultural heritage;
12. Global imagination, social media, subjectivity.
The concept of culture
1. What is cultural anthropology;
2. The concept of culture;
3. Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism;
4. Ethnography.
Unit 2.
Processes of sociocultural transformation.
5. Anthropologists and ethnographers: interpreting cultures;
6. Cultural identity;
7. Uniformity and diversity of cultures;
8. Cultural "traffic".
Unit 3.
Modernity. Imagination. Subjectivity.
9. Forms of mobility: emigrants, immigrants, foreigners, travelers, tourists;
10. Desires for modernity;
11. Construction of memory and cultural heritage;
12. Global imagination, social media, subjectivity.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Lectures, classroom debates and seminars.
Teaching Resources
Unità 1
1. Materiali presentati in aula
2. Fabietti U. Malighetti R., Matera V., Dal tribale al globale, Pearson, 2020.
Unità 2
3. Materiali presentati in aula
4. Matera V., Antropologia contemporanea. La diversità culturale in un mondo globale, Laterza, 2017 (Capp. 1, 2, 3).
Unità 3
5. Materiali presentati in aula
6. Matera V., 2017, Antropologia contemporanea. La diversità culturale in un mondo globale, Laterza, 2017 (Capp. 4, 5, 6).
1. Materiali presentati in aula
2. Fabietti U. Malighetti R., Matera V., Dal tribale al globale, Pearson, 2020.
Unità 2
3. Materiali presentati in aula
4. Matera V., Antropologia contemporanea. La diversità culturale in un mondo globale, Laterza, 2017 (Capp. 1, 2, 3).
Unità 3
5. Materiali presentati in aula
6. Matera V., 2017, Antropologia contemporanea. La diversità culturale in un mondo globale, Laterza, 2017 (Capp. 4, 5, 6).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination. The examination consists of an oral test. Students are required to prepare the entire program. Students who prepared just a part of the program will not be admitted to the examination.
Students who would like further clarifications may contact the professor by e-mail and/or request a meeting. The teacher will also be available to answer students' questions at the beginning and end of each lesson.
The test requires the full knowledge of the texts in the program and consists of an evaluation of the student's critical and argumentative capacity. Results will be: insufficient in case of a lack of expressive ability, as well as a lack of or incorrect critical analysis of the texts; sufficient in case of correct expression, possession of a basic knowledge and understanding of the specific lines of research and analysis of linguistic anthropology; good in case of expressive ability and knowledge of the texts; very good in case of excellent expressive and critical ability, together with in-depth knowledge of the texts.
Students who would like further clarifications may contact the professor by e-mail and/or request a meeting. The teacher will also be available to answer students' questions at the beginning and end of each lesson.
The test requires the full knowledge of the texts in the program and consists of an evaluation of the student's critical and argumentative capacity. Results will be: insufficient in case of a lack of expressive ability, as well as a lack of or incorrect critical analysis of the texts; sufficient in case of correct expression, possession of a basic knowledge and understanding of the specific lines of research and analysis of linguistic anthropology; good in case of expressive ability and knowledge of the texts; very good in case of excellent expressive and critical ability, together with in-depth knowledge of the texts.
SDEA-01/A - Demoethnoanthropological Sciences - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Matera Vincenzo
Professor(s)