00045 - Cultural Anthropology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will:

• know the key concepts of cultural anthropology (culture, cultural diversity, ethnic variability, identity, ethnicity, representations, multiculturalism);
• know the anthropological debate on the concept of culture;
• be able to reflect critically on the main concepts of anthropological thinking (ethnicity, culture, multiculturalism) with reference to the contemporary scenario and their use in education;
• be able to orient themselves in the main areas of analysis of contemporary culture.
• demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the key concepts and theoretical framework of the anthropology of education;
• effectively utilizes the tools of anthropological investigation (ethnographic method) and their application in education;
• critically apply the theoretical and methodological knowledge of anthropology in educational contexts, particularly in schools;
• demonstrate the ability to interpret information emerging from the school and professional environment as data to be processed according to an ethnographic model;
• be able to apply an ethnographic approach to enhance their ability to listen and interpret communicative processes, thereby developing empathy;
• be able to integrate their own knowledge with anthropological knowledge, enabling them to enhance their analytical tools autonomously in line with the processes of change occurring in educational contexts;
• be able to undertake a critical analysis of the multiculturality inherent in educational contexts, avoiding any form of reification of differences.

Course contents

The objective of the course is to equip students with a fundamental understanding of the anthropological perspective in the analysis of educational contexts within multicultural societies. In particular, the course will focus on the issues and problems that future graduates will have to address in their professional practice as teachers and childcare workers.

To this end, the course will provide students with the theoretical and methodological tools specific to cultural anthropology, which will enable them to analyse cultural diversity and the risks of reification. The objective is to develop a critical sensitivity to the cultural constructs and implicit assumptions that are shared across school and educational contexts. Particular attention will be devoted to studies of the school success/failure of minority students and to the ethnography of educational settings. There will be a specific focus on representations of otherness and the relationship between migrant families and schools/early childhood education.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings (no distinction is made between attending and non-attending students):

1) Benadusi M., La scuola in pratica. Prospettive antropologiche sull'educazione, ED.it, Firenze, 2017

2) Anthology of ethnographic readings Antropologia e scuola 2024/2025 (available on the Virtuale platform at the end of the course)

PowerPoint presentations will be accessible on the Virtuale Platform. The slides are designed to provide students with additional support during their studies and attendance at classes. It should be noted that the slides do not replace the mandatory readings.

Alternative books/readings in English for international/Erasmus students can be arranged with the lecturer.

Teaching methods

In addition to the delivery of didactic content in a frontal teaching mode, the course will include the presentation of case studies, interactive lessons characterised by moments of plenary discussion focused on the analysis of the ethnographic materials provided by the lecturer, and small-group activities.

Part of the teaching material presented in class will be shared on the Virtuale platform under the section "non-mandatory ethnographic materials."

Assessment methods

As the course is integrated with the Sociology module, students taking 8 credits must also take the Sociology of Education examination on the same scheduled examination date.

The exam will consist of an in-person written test comprising 20 multiple-choice questions (10 for each subject) with a duration of 20 minutes. Each question has only one correct answer. To pass the test, a minimum score of 18 is required (1.5 points are awarded for each correct answer, while no points are given for unanswered or incorrect responses). Passing the test is a prerequisite for completing, on the same day, two open-ended questions (one for Cultural Anthropology and one for Sociology of Education), to be answered within a total of 50 minutes. The final grade will be calculated as the average of the results of the three components (multiple-choice test, open-ended question for Cultural Anthropology, and open-ended question for Sociology of Education) and will be expressed on a scale of thirty.

The criteria that will be used to assess the preparation of the students will include the following:

1. relevance to the question asked;
2. detailed content knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter;
3. the ability to use anthropological language correctly;
4. the logical consequentiality in articulating the answers;
5. the capacity for reflexive reworking of the content being studied.

Students taking 4 credits of Cultural Anthropology will take a written examination focusing exclusively on the programme of the Anthropology module, which consists of a test of 10 multiple-choice questions, of which only one alternative is correct. A minimum of 18 points is required to pass the test (3 points are awarded for each correct answer; no points are awarded for incorrect or missing answers). Passing the test is propaedeutic for one open question (to be performed on the same date). The criteria for assessing students include those listed above. The final grade will be determined by the average of the 2 tests (multiple-choice test and open question) and will be expressed on a thirty-point scale.

In order to be eligible to take the examination, it is necessary to complete the registration process on the Alma Esami portal before the deadline. It is the responsibility of the student to register by the deadline. Should this not be possible, the Teaching Office must be informed without delay. The lecturer is entitled to determine whether to admit the student to the examination.

Students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties may consult with the lecturer and the University's Service for Students with Disabilities and SLDs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) to agree on suitable assessment methods, including the possibility of using the necessary aids (IT equipment, tutors, extra time, etc.).

Erasmus and International students who wish to do so may agree with the lecturer to undertake an oral examination.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, ethnographic case studies, audio-visual materials, Virtuale platform.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/francesca.crivellar4

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Crivellaro