76040 - Anthropology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• Knows the outlines of the discipline’s development over time;
• Understands the theoretical and methodological issues currently addressed by the discipline, with a particular focus on educational processes and contexts.
• Has achieved skills in the cultural analysis of social and territorial contexts.
• Is aware of the evolution of concepts such as culture and ethnicity, and their implications in analyzing and addressing situations of distress and marginalization.
• Is able of making use of anthropological knowledge in their future professional practice.
• Can use anthropological knowledge for a critical understanding of migratory processes and intercultural mediation.
• Translates the theoretical and methodological knowledge of anthropology into adopting a critical and self-critical approach within the professional sphere.
• Interprets information emerging from the professional context as data to be treated according to an ethnographic model.
• Is able to communicate their interpretations of contexts within their working group.
• Can refer to an ethnographic approach to enhance their listening and interpretation of communication processes.
• Can integrate their knowledge and navigate anthropological knowledge independently to expand their analytical toolkit.

Course contents

Drawing on a seminar-based approach, this course aims to introduce students to key concepts in cultural anthropology (e.g. culture, race, ethnicity, cultural diversity, ethnocentrism, intersectionality) and provide them with theoretical and methodological tools to critically and self-reflectively analyze the professional contexts in which they will operate.

Specifically, during the course, some of the elements characterizing contemporary socio-cultural reality will be addressed (e.g. multiculturalism, institutional racism, cultural differentialism). Additionally, specific topics such as migration processes, and the anthropological approach to the study of disability will be explored.

At the same time, the ethnographic method will be introduced, with a particular focus on participant observation, to equip students with a methodological resource for interpreting both institutional contexts and professional practices.

Readings/Bibliography

The exam will be based on an anthology of readings that will be provided by the lecturer during the course. The anthology will be available on the Virtuale Platform.

PowerPoint presentations will be progressively available on the Virtuale Platform. Slides are meant tu support students while studying and attending classes. They do not substitute the mandatory readings.

Erasmus and International students can contact the lecturer to discuss the possibility of altrernative in English-language readings.

Teaching methods

The course will bring together traditional lectures and more seminar-style sessions. The teaching methods employed will include traditional lectures as well as interactive sessions in plenary focused on the critical analysis of audio-visual materials and ethnographic texts provided by the lecturer, and group works.

Assessment methods

For both attending and non-attending students the exam will consist of a written test made of 2 open-ended questions. The exam will take place in presence and will last one hour. Using the anthology during the test is not allowed. 

Specifically, the indicators that will contribute to the assessment are the following:

1. Consistency with the questions asked.
2. Detailed knowledge of the texts/readings.
3. The ability to use anthropological language correctly.
4. Logical consequentiality in articulating answers.
5. The ability of critically reworking the studied contents.

The grade is based on a thirty-point scale.

• If students show a superficial and confused understanding of the main themes and issues of the course, and/or if they answer with irrelevant notions, they will fail the exam.
• If students show a sufficient understanding of the main topics but with incomplete or superficial answers, results may vary from 18/30 to 24/30.
• If students show an accurate knowledge of the main topics and a discrete understanding of the program, results may vary from 25/30 to 27/30.
• If students show a good knowledge and in-depth understanding of the main themes discussed together with a clear and accurate communication, results will vary from 28 to 30 and, exceptionally, 30L.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders can contact the professor and the University's Services for Students with Disabilities and SLDs (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en)to agree on appropriate evaluation methods, including the possibility of using necessary aids (computing equipment, tutors, extra time, etc.).

Erasmus and International students can contact the teacher to agree on a oral interview instead of a written exam.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations (which will be gradually uploaded on the Virtuale platform), audio-visual materials, Virtuale platform, plenary discussions and work groups will be integral components of the course.

Links to further information

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

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Crivellaro