Social Anthropology
A.Y. 2024/2025
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.
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.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
1. Lessons for both 6 and 9 ECTS program:
"Tribe", "ethnic group", "indigenous peoples" are concepts often used in people's everyday language and in the language of public media; frequently they refer to the politics of belonging, opening spaces for negotiating, claiming, and exploiting identities. The course introduces the themes of tribalism, ethnicity, indigeneity, as they are discussed in social anthropology as well as how these topics contribute to the development of research methodologies. Tribalism, ethnicity, and indigeneity, through theoretical analysis and ethnographic methodology, will be related to contemporary debates in social anthropology.
2. Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
This part of the course will consider the politics of belonging outside Africa. In particular, the course deals with the politics of recognition, inclusion and exclusion, both at the international and state level, as well as with minority groups' rights claims, and the recognition of indigenous peoples' knowledge and epistemologies.
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.
"Tribe", "ethnic group", "indigenous peoples" are concepts often used in people's everyday language and in the language of public media; frequently they refer to the politics of belonging, opening spaces for negotiating, claiming, and exploiting identities. The course introduces the themes of tribalism, ethnicity, indigeneity, as they are discussed in social anthropology as well as how these topics contribute to the development of research methodologies. Tribalism, ethnicity, and indigeneity, through theoretical analysis and ethnographic methodology, will be related to contemporary debates in social anthropology.
2. Additional lessons for 9 ECTS program:
This part of the course will consider the politics of belonging outside Africa. In particular, the course deals with the politics of recognition, inclusion and exclusion, both at the international and state level, as well as with minority groups' rights claims, and the recognition of indigenous peoples' knowledge and epistemologies.
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.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is needed
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Group work
Debate and discussion
Group work
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
- Maher V. (ed.). Questioni di etnicità. Torino, Rosenberg & Sellier, 1994 o edizioni successive (study up to page 134).
The student should choose one among these three volumes:
- Sapignoli M., Hitchcock R. K., Mangiameli G. (eds.). La questione Indigena in Africa. Milano, Unicopli, 2017 (the student should study the Introduction and six essays of her/his choosing).
- Allovio S., Pigmei, europei e altri selvaggi. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 or later editions.
- Sapignoli M., Hunting justice. Displacement, law and activism in the Central Kalahari. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2018
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
The student should choose among these two volumes:
- Volpi L., La selva instabile. Indigeni e genetisti nell'Amazzonia peruviana. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2023.
-Clifford J., Ritorni. Diventare indigeni nel XXI secolo. Milano, Meltemi, 2023.
Readings and assignments for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
- Maher V. (ed.). Questioni di etnicità. Torino, Rosenberg & Sellier, 1994 or later editions (study up to page 134).
- Remotti F., Prima lezione di antropologia, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000 or later editions.
The student should choose one among these three volumes:
- Sapignoli M., Hitchcock R. K., Mangiameli G. (eds.). La questione indigena in Africa. Milano, Unicopli, 2017 (the student should study the Introduction and six essays of her/his choosing).
- Allovio S., Pigmei, europei e altri selvaggi. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 or later editions.
- Sapignoli M., Hunting justice. Displacement, law and activism in the Central Kalahari. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
The student should choose among these two volumes:
- Volpi L., La selva instabile. Indigeni e genetisti nell'Amazzonia peruviana. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2023.
- Clifford J., Ritorni. Diventare indigeni nel XXI secolo. Milano, Meltemi, 2023.
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
- Maher V. (ed.). Questioni di etnicità. Torino, Rosenberg & Sellier, 1994 o edizioni successive (study up to page 134).
The student should choose one among these three volumes:
- Sapignoli M., Hitchcock R. K., Mangiameli G. (eds.). La questione Indigena in Africa. Milano, Unicopli, 2017 (the student should study the Introduction and six essays of her/his choosing).
- Allovio S., Pigmei, europei e altri selvaggi. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 or later editions.
- Sapignoli M., Hunting justice. Displacement, law and activism in the Central Kalahari. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2018
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
The student should choose among these two volumes:
- Volpi L., La selva instabile. Indigeni e genetisti nell'Amazzonia peruviana. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2023.
-Clifford J., Ritorni. Diventare indigeni nel XXI secolo. Milano, Meltemi, 2023.
Readings and assignments for non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
- Maher V. (ed.). Questioni di etnicità. Torino, Rosenberg & Sellier, 1994 or later editions (study up to page 134).
- Remotti F., Prima lezione di antropologia, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000 or later editions.
The student should choose one among these three volumes:
- Sapignoli M., Hitchcock R. K., Mangiameli G. (eds.). La questione indigena in Africa. Milano, Unicopli, 2017 (the student should study the Introduction and six essays of her/his choosing).
- Allovio S., Pigmei, europei e altri selvaggi. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 or later editions.
- Sapignoli M., Hunting justice. Displacement, law and activism in the Central Kalahari. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2018.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
The student should choose among these two volumes:
- Volpi L., La selva instabile. Indigeni e genetisti nell'Amazzonia peruviana. Milano, Raffaello Cortina, 2023.
- Clifford J., Ritorni. Diventare indigeni nel XXI secolo. Milano, Meltemi, 2023.
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 social anthropology.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theory and of the topics discussed during the course;
- ability to exemplify concepts;
- adequacy of lexicon.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theory and of the topics discussed 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)