30928 - Anthropology and Ethnography of Migratory Processes and Cultural Contexts (LM)

Learning outcomes

The student masters the theoretical and methodological tools in anthropology for the analysis of migration processes and
multicultural societies. They can critically investigate the use and history of relevant concepts (culture, religion, ethnicity, nation, citizenship, and others) in specific contexts.

Course contents

The course consists of two main parts. The first part provides students with the basic conceptual and methodological foundations of social and cultural anthropology for them to critically assess the relationship between im/mobility, culture and society. We will situate our discussions in a global and comparative perspective, and train a critical eye on common representations of migration used in public discourse and policy.

In the second part, we will use the acquired tools and perspectives to analyse the management of migratory processes and multi-cultural interactions especially, though not exclusively, in Italy and Europe. We will analyse different levels of migration governance, from reception and citizenship policies to the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion in welfare services, civil society and other societal domains.

Readings/Bibliography

The syllabus - with no distinction between attending/not attending students - includes texts on general anthropology and the anthropology of migration:

- Dei F., Antropologia culturale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2016, seconda edizione.

- Capello, Carlo; Cingolani, Pietro; Vietti, Francesco (2023): Etnografia delle migrazioni. Temi e metodi di ricerca. Roma: Carocci.

and 1 ethnographic monographs (other titles can be chosen upon consultation with the lecturer):

- Grimaldi, Giuseppe. Fuorigioco. Figli di immigrati e italianità. Un'etnografia tra Milano, Addis Abeba e Londra. Verona. Ombre Corte. 2022.

- Khosravi, Shahram. Io sono confine. Milano. Elèuthera. 2019.

- Pinelli, Barbara. Donne come le altre. Firenze. Ed.it. 2011.

- Quagliariello, Chiara. L' isola dove non si nasce. Lampedusa tra esperienze procreative, genere e migrazioni. Trezzano sul Naviglio. Unicopli. 2021.

- Vietti, Francesco (2019): Il paese delle badanti. Milano: Meltemi..

Supplementary and optional texts will be provided on the platform Virtuale.

Teaching methods

frontal lectures, seminars, small-group work, short individual exercises.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The interview serves to assess the achievement of the learning outcomes. It is possible to write a research essay on a topic agreed with the lecturer. The essay will be discussed during the oral examination.

International exchange students may be concert both programme and evaluation criteria with the lecturer.

Teaching tools

presentation slides, audio-visual material, e-learning activities.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Gaibazzi