Social Anthropology

A.Y. 2020/2021
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
M-DEA/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid knowledge of the concepts, theoretical frameworks and methodological instruments of Social Anthropology.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student
- has a thoroughly adequate knowledge of the theories and themes dealt with in anthropological domain, and can identify and discuss its crucial points;
- understands the vocabulary and the arguments that can be found in anthropological fields of reflection concerning social organisations and systems of thoughts in different cultures;
- has proficient knowledge of the bibliographic resources and methodological tools characterising Social 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 Social Anthropology;
- can apply the knowledge acquired in anthropological domain to discuss theses, rework problems and make critical judgments in relation to the issues addressed;
- can apply the conceptual structures of the anthropological sciences to the significant dimensions of contemporary cultural debate.
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
The course will be held mainly on Teams in synchronous mode. All lessons will be recorded. The recordings will be available on the Ariel website of the course.
Learning verification procedures:
The exam is oral and takes place on Teams, according to the indications provided by the University.
Course syllabus
1. Lessons for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
Anthropological knowledge: crossings and connections
Introduction to the theoretical framework, the main research topics and anthropological methodologies. Thereafter, specific attention will be paid to the presentation of case studies based on crossings and connections.

2. Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
The anthropology of the person since Mauss.
The idea of "person" will be presented in historical perspective, through the theoretical contributions of many anthropologists such as: Mauss, Fortes, Dumont, Conklin, Morgan, Geertz, Strathern


The course is open to all students of the master's degree course in Philosophical Sciences and to all students of other master's degree courses of the University of Milan who are interested in learning the theoretical concepts of Social 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
Group work
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students:

Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) F. Remotti, Noi primitivi. Lo specchio dell'antropologia, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2009 (new edition). Study up to p. 276.
2) One book chosen among the list:
M. Bloch, Da preda a cacciatore. La politica dell'esperienza religiosa, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2005.
A. Favole, L'Europa d'Oltremare, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2020.
J.-L. Amselle, Connessioni. Antropologia dell'universalità delle culture, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001.
S. Allovio, Culture in transito. Trasformazioni, performance e migrazioni nell'Africa sub-sahariana, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2002


Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
F. Remotti, Noi primitivi. Lo specchio dell'antropologia, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2009 (new edition). Study up to p. 341.


Readings and assignments for non-attending students:

Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) F. Remotti, Noi primitivi. Lo specchio dell'antropologia, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2009 (new edition). Study up to p. 276.
2) Two books chosen among the list:
M. Bloch, Da preda a cacciatore. La politica dell'esperienza religiosa, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2005.
A. Favole, L'Europa d'Oltremare, Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2020.
J.-L. Amselle, Connessioni. Antropologia dell'universalità delle culture, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001.
S. Allovio, Culture in transito. Trasformazioni, performance e migrazioni nell'Africa sub-sahariana, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2002


Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
F. Remotti, Noi primitivi. Lo specchio dell'antropologia, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2009 (new edition). Study up to p. 341.
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 cultural anthropology.
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)