00045 - Cultural Anthropology

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will be able to; - identify the main theoretical and methodological approaches that have been characterizing the anthropological studies; -identify the transformation of the concepts such as culture and ethnicity; -apply the theoretical knowledge for the analysis of social processes (social marginality, migration, urban context, school drop out, food and cultural diversity) - apply the anthropological method and analyze the ethnographic material particularly to school and extra-school contexts.

Course contents

The course aims to provide a general introduction to the paradigm of anthropology, to the key concepts, as well as to the main theoretical and methodological issues and debates that have been characterizing the discipline. The first part of the course focus on the origin and development of the cultural anthropological studies, on some key paradigms, on the changing issues of "fieldwork" and will aim to provide the critical tools needed to analyze the notions of culture, identity, ethnicity.
The second part of the course will aim to introduce some anthropological fields by especially focusing on the contexts, issues and problems the students will face in doing the future professional career. To this end will be mainly taken in account:
- the anthropology of education and social marginality, especially on school drop out
- the anthropology of migration, mobility and migrant transnational processes, "second generation" and migrant families, migration and urban contexts; "new racism";
- the anthropology of gender and the cultural construction of identities and the embodiment;
- the anthropology of human rights, globalization, migration and development;

- the food anthropology (policy, behavior and education, food and cultural diversity at school, sustainability and food) by partticipation of PNRR Project ONFOODS.

 

Readings/Bibliography

- Dei F., Antropologia culturale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2016, seconda edizione (esclusi i cap. VII, VIII, X, XIII, XV)

- G. Semi, Osservazione partecipante. Una guida pratica, Bologna, il Mulino

A reading of your choice from:

- S. Khosravi, Io sono confine, Milano, Eleuthera, 2019

or

- two essays from the book: Paola Govoni, Maria Giovanna Belcastro Alessandra Bonoli, Giovanna Guerzoni, Ripensare l’Antropocene Oltre natura e cultura, Carocci, 2024.

Teaching methods

Tought-classes and papers, seminars on case-studies, group-works on ethnographic materials, etc. The active student participation is appreciated.  Furthermore, the course will host some in-depth seminars held by professors from Unibo and other universities.

Note that the course is in Italian language; the Unibo offers Anthropology courses in English in other degree programs.

Assessment methods

The final examen consist of: 

- the interview in Italian Language, that aim at assessing students' knowledge the teaching program contents.The question deal with general issues; it is up to students demonstrating their in-depth and detailed preparation through their answers. The assessment procedure is grounding on the following criteria: a) detailed knowledge of the teaching program contents and, specifically, of the books contents; b) language proficiency; c) ability to be consistent with the issue proposed; d) ability to argue and apply the theoretical background to concrete case studies and examples related to childcare settings.

- Or, alternatively, a 10-page paper (25000 characters including spaces) on a topic indicated in the online platform (virtuale.unibo); the essay must be in Italian language and to be submitted via e-mail in pdf format at least 5 days before the exam date. The paper evaluation criteria are: a) detailed knowledge of the program contents and, specifically, of the books contents; b) language proficiency; c) ability to be consistent with the issue proposed; d) ability to argue and apply the theoretical background to concrete case studies and examples related to childcare settings.

Final score based on ../30 (18 is considered the minimum to pass the exam).

Inscription to the exam on Almaesami website.

Students must sign-up to the Alma Esami Portal by the set deadlines in order to attend the exam. Those who failed to enroll in due times for technical-related issues, must promptly report the problem to the Student Administration Office (before the official closing date of the enrollment procedure). The lecturer can allow them accessing the exam.

Teaching tools

The course makes use of audiovisual material, exercises, case studies, etnographical case etc. and form also using forms of active teaching. 

Office hours

See the website of Giovanna Guerzoni