Cultural Anthropology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a general knowledge of the basic concepts, theoretical frameworks and methodological instruments of Cultural Anthropology.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student - knows: a) the theoretical fundamentals of Cultural Anthropology; b) knows the main perspectives of anthropological reflection about culture, worldviews, cultural diversity; c) knows the main methodological instruments and the basic bibliographic elements of intellectual work in the field of Cultural Anthropology.
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
Lesson period
Second semester
Given the ongoing pandemic emergency, the course will be delivered online. Lectures will be streamed with a mixed teaching methods, that is with "synchronous" and "asynchronous" lessons. The asynchronous lessons consist of a part of video lessons and a part of individual home working (the reading of a text or a commentary on reading materials provided by the teacher). The synchronous lessons will be delivered in streaming on Microsoft Teams and will be a moment of revision and in-depth study of what has been proposed in asynchronous mode. The link for online lectures will be communicated on the course's Moodle page.
All lectures and teaching materials will be made available on the course's Moodle page.
The programme and reading materials remains unchanged.
The final exam is oral and will be conducted in Microsoft Teams, according to the indications provided by the University.
All lectures and teaching materials will be made available on the course's Moodle page.
The programme and reading materials remains unchanged.
The final exam is oral and will be conducted in Microsoft Teams, according to the indications provided by the University.
Course syllabus
Part 1 - Theoretical approaches and research perspectives in Cultural Anthropology.
The first part of the course is devoted to the introduction of the discipline. Through the study of the most important authors and the main research themes and lines of thought of cultural anthropology, it will be possible to bring out the methodologies, issues and contributions of anthropologists who have engaged in the study of cultural similarities and differences of the humankind.
Part 2
The second part of the course will reflect on the centrality of ethnography in cultural anthropology in order to grasp native meanings. Texts and approaches to ethnographic methodology will be compared to explore the different theoretical, methodological and writing options of qualitative research.
Part 3
The third part of the course proposes an introduction to African studies through anthropological lens. We will deal with authors, themes, problems of Africanist anthropology, with particular attention to the contemporary Africa, urban phenomena, socio-cultural changes.
The first part of the course is devoted to the introduction of the discipline. Through the study of the most important authors and the main research themes and lines of thought of cultural anthropology, it will be possible to bring out the methodologies, issues and contributions of anthropologists who have engaged in the study of cultural similarities and differences of the humankind.
Part 2
The second part of the course will reflect on the centrality of ethnography in cultural anthropology in order to grasp native meanings. Texts and approaches to ethnographic methodology will be compared to explore the different theoretical, methodological and writing options of qualitative research.
Part 3
The third part of the course proposes an introduction to African studies through anthropological lens. We will deal with authors, themes, problems of Africanist anthropology, with particular attention to the contemporary Africa, urban phenomena, socio-cultural changes.
Prerequisites for admission
The course does not require any previous knowledge
Teaching methods
"frontal" teaching
Teaching Resources
Part 1
One of the following texts:
F. Dei, Antropologia culturale, Bologna, il Mulino, seconda edizione, 2016.
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli, Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2018.
Part 2
One of the following texts:
L. Jourdan, Generazione Kalashnikov. Un antropologo dentro la guerra del Congo, Bari, Laterza, 2010 (anche in versione digitale, 2014).
S. Taliani, Il bambino e il suo doppio. Malattia, stregoneria e antropologia dell'infanzia in Camerun, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2006 (anche II edizione, 2020).
Reading materials for non-attending students include both texts of Part 2.
Part 3
One of the following texts:
S. F. Moore, Antropologia e Africa, Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2004.
A. Bellagamba, L'Africa e la stregoneria. Saggio di antropologia storica, Bari, Laterza, 2008 (anche in versione digitale, 2015).
One of the following texts:
F. Dei, Antropologia culturale, Bologna, il Mulino, seconda edizione, 2016.
S. Allovio, L. Ciabarri, G. Mangiameli, Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali, Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2018.
Part 2
One of the following texts:
L. Jourdan, Generazione Kalashnikov. Un antropologo dentro la guerra del Congo, Bari, Laterza, 2010 (anche in versione digitale, 2014).
S. Taliani, Il bambino e il suo doppio. Malattia, stregoneria e antropologia dell'infanzia in Camerun, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2006 (anche II edizione, 2020).
Reading materials for non-attending students include both texts of Part 2.
Part 3
One of the following texts:
S. F. Moore, Antropologia e Africa, Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2004.
A. Bellagamba, L'Africa e la stregoneria. Saggio di antropologia storica, Bari, Laterza, 2008 (anche in versione digitale, 2015).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes only the final oral test consisting of a discussion-interview on the reading materials, aimed at verifying knowledge of the texts indicated. To achieve the 6-credit exam, it is required to study the program related to the first and second teaching units.
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Quaretta Edoardo