11292 - Cultural Anthropology (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student: learns the main themes and conceptual framework of the discipline; acquires skills aimed at fostering communication between different socio-cultural realities; takes part in critical discussions concerning the main intellectual schools of thought and apply these skills to social situations based on cultural variety; applies the main models of critical and procedural analysis of the concepts of culture, ethnicity, gender and generations, and is able to focus on socio-cultural issues to do with migratory processes, globalization and the knowledge society; learns to listen, understand and debate respectfully with different viewpoints, and acquires judgment on a professional, human and ethical level.

Course contents

The course introduces the discipline of anthropology as an active political space, both in its relational and dialogic fieldwork practices, and in its ability to imagine alternative worlds. By the end of the course students will have acquired the ability to think critically about central political issues such as social equality, economic democracy, anti-racism and environmental justice, as well as the ability to imagine and practice concrete alternatives to the way of life contemporary capitalist.
The course is divided into three nodes/conceptual paths, one per week:
ALTERITY
1-Anthropology/Utopia
2-Ethnographic Surrealism
3-Fieldwork as a militant practice
MATERIALITY
4-Earth.
5-Sea
6-The Gift
7-Work
8-Slavery
9-Artistic Work
IMAGINARY AND POLITICS
10-Image and counter-power
11-The museum as a factory of the imagination
12-Imagining the city
13-Participation
14-Art-activism
15- the politics of time between history and future.

Readings/Bibliography

mandatory:

Fabietti U., Elementi di antropologia culturale, Milano, Mondadori, 2015 (TERZA EDIZIONE) Sezioni 2, 8 e 9.

suggested 

Clifford, J. I Frutti Puri Impazziscono. Etnografia, Letteratura e Arte nel secolo XX. Torino, Universale Bollati Boringhieri, 2010. Capitolo 4.

Graeber, D. Frammenti di antropologia anarchica, Eleuthera, 2020.

Mollona, M. Il Lavoro. In Antropologia delle Imprese. Lavoro, Reti e Merci. Mollona, M; C. Papa, V. Redini e V. Siniscalchi (Ed) Roma: Carocci, 2021.

Mollona, M. 2021. ART/COMMONS. Anthropology Beyond Capitalism.London: Zed Books.

Tsing, Lowenhaupt, A. Il Fungo alla fine del Mondo. La Possibilita’ di vivere nelle rovine del Capitalismo. Rovereto, Keller, 2021. (Introduzione)

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

Lectures will be supplemented by seminars, with the active involvement of  students and the participation of external guests.

Assessment methods

written exam of two hours. Students will have to show full understanding of the course content. 

30 e lode: excellent

30: very good

29-27: good

26-24:discrete

23-21: pass +

20-18: pass

<18: fail

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

powerpoint and other visual material 

Office hours

See the website of Massimiliano Nicola Mollona