Cultural Anthropology
A.Y. 2020/2021
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 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 semester
During the ongoing covid emergency, the course syllabus will be maintained with the following changes made to enhance the effectiveness of the online version of the course, which was originally designed for face-to-face teaching.
Online environments used:
Ariel: page of the course
MSTeams: code available on Ariel.
Teaching methods:
Classes will be held according to the following risk scenarios:
- maximum severity (red zone): classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
- high severity (orange zone): lessons will be held in mixed mode, partly in person and partly online. the face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. Online lessons will be held synchronously (using MSTeams)
- severity (yellow zone): classes will be held according with the orange zone guidelines and, if conditions allow, the number of lessons on campus will be increased.
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
Learning assessment procedures and evaluation criteria:
The exam is oral and is held on MSTeams in any emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The online course on Ariel will make available constantly updated details about the oral examination sessions that will be held over several days.
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/didattica-presenza
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Online environments used:
Ariel: page of the course
MSTeams: code available on Ariel.
Teaching methods:
Classes will be held according to the following risk scenarios:
- maximum severity (red zone): classes will be held only remotely in synchronous mode (using MSTeams)
- high severity (orange zone): lessons will be held in mixed mode, partly in person and partly online. the face-to-face lessons will allow the participation of students connected with MSTeams as well as students in the classroom. Online lessons will be held synchronously (using MSTeams)
- severity (yellow zone): classes will be held according with the orange zone guidelines and, if conditions allow, the number of lessons on campus will be increased.
The calendar of in person lessons and updates will be published on the online course platform.
Learning assessment procedures and evaluation criteria:
The exam is oral and is held on MSTeams in any emergency situation, whether yellow, orange or red zone, in compliance with the guidelines provided by the University. The online course on Ariel will make available constantly updated details about the oral examination sessions that will be held over several days.
Students wishing to participate in face-to-face lessons must refer to the following University provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/didattica-presenza
Students wishing to participate in MSTeams lessons must refer to the following technical guides: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/servizi-tecnologici-e-online/microsoft-office-365-education
To participate in the exam sessions, students must refer to the following provisions: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-di-laurea/seguire-il-percorso-di-studi/esami/esami-distanza-faq-gli-student
Course syllabus
1. Lessons for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Introduction to cultural anthropology. Perspectives and topics of research
Basic introduction to the theoretical framework and the main topics and methodologies of research in cultural anthropology. Thereafter, through the analysis of ethnographic examples, specific attention will be paid to addressing the Nature/Culture dichotomy, the variability of the concept of family, the value of cultural difference, gender and other basic subjects of anthropology.
Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
2. The ethnographic monograph in twentieth century anthropology.
The ethnographic monograph will be presented in historical perspective, as a modality of production of a specific kind of knowledge in the context of the main anthropological schools of the twentieth century, by outlining the theoretical contributions of national academic traditions in some moments of their development.
The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy and to all students of other degree courses of the University of Milan who are interested in learning the basic theoretical concepts of Cultural Anthropology. From this course students can obtain ECTS useful for accessing to teaching positions in secondary schools (for more info see: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-post-laurea/formazione-insegnanti-for24)
Introduction to cultural anthropology. Perspectives and topics of research
Basic introduction to the theoretical framework and the main topics and methodologies of research in cultural anthropology. Thereafter, through the analysis of ethnographic examples, specific attention will be paid to addressing the Nature/Culture dichotomy, the variability of the concept of family, the value of cultural difference, gender and other basic subjects of anthropology.
Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
2. The ethnographic monograph in twentieth century anthropology.
The ethnographic monograph will be presented in historical perspective, as a modality of production of a specific kind of knowledge in the context of the main anthropological schools of the twentieth century, by outlining the theoretical contributions of national academic traditions in some moments of their development.
The course is open to all students of the degree course in Philosophy and to all students of other degree courses of the University of Milan who are interested in learning the basic theoretical concepts of Cultural Anthropology. From this course students can obtain ECTS useful for accessing to teaching positions in secondary schools (for more info see: https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/frequentare-un-corso-post-laurea/formazione-insegnanti-for24)
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Debate and discussion
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018.
F. Remotti, Contro natura. Una lettera al Papa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008 (or later editions).
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One book chosen among the list:
B. Malinowski, Argonauti del Pacifico occidentale. Riti magici e vita quotidiana nella società primitiva, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2011 (or later editions).
R. Firth, Noi, Tikopia. Economia e società nella Polinesia primitiva, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1976 (or later editions
E. E. Evans-Pritchard, I Nuer. Un'anarchia ordinata, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1975 (or later editions).
E. Leach, Sistemi politici birmani. La struttura sociale dei Kachin, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2011 (or later editions).
Readings and assignments for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018.
F. Remotti, Contro natura. Una lettera al Papa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008 (or later editions).
E. Fabiano e G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Dialoghi con i non umani (Molimo n. 9), Milano, Mimesis, 2019 (introduction and five chapters chosen by students)
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One book chosen among the list:
B. Malinowski, Argonauti del Pacifico occidentale. Riti magici e vita quotidiana nella società primitiva, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2011 (or later editions).
R. Firth, Noi, Tikopia. Economia e società nella Polinesia primitiva, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1976 (or later editions
E. E. Evans-Pritchard, I Nuer. Un'anarchia ordinata, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1975 (or later editions).
E. Leach, Sistemi politici birmani. La struttura sociale dei Kachin, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2011 (or later editions).
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018.
F. Remotti, Contro natura. Una lettera al Papa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008 (or later editions).
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One book chosen among the list:
B. Malinowski, Argonauti del Pacifico occidentale. Riti magici e vita quotidiana nella società primitiva, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2011 (or later editions).
R. Firth, Noi, Tikopia. Economia e società nella Polinesia primitiva, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1976 (or later editions
E. E. Evans-Pritchard, I Nuer. Un'anarchia ordinata, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1975 (or later editions).
E. Leach, Sistemi politici birmani. La struttura sociale dei Kachin, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2011 (or later editions).
Readings and assignments for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2018.
F. Remotti, Contro natura. Una lettera al Papa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008 (or later editions).
E. Fabiano e G. Mangiameli (a cura di), Dialoghi con i non umani (Molimo n. 9), Milano, Mimesis, 2019 (introduction and five chapters chosen by students)
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
One book chosen among the list:
B. Malinowski, Argonauti del Pacifico occidentale. Riti magici e vita quotidiana nella società primitiva, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2011 (or later editions).
R. Firth, Noi, Tikopia. Economia e società nella Polinesia primitiva, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1976 (or later editions
E. E. Evans-Pritchard, I Nuer. Un'anarchia ordinata, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1975 (or later editions).
E. Leach, Sistemi politici birmani. La struttura sociale dei Kachin, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2011 (or later editions).
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 theoretical framework, the methods and the research topics of cul-tural anthropology.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course;
- ability to exemplify concepts;
- adequacy of lexicon.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course;
- ability to exemplify concepts;
- adequacy of lexicon.
Unita' didattica A
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)