APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY

The course is aimed at students who are graduating in Cultural Anthropology, Ethnology and Ethnolinguistics, or who, although coming from other disciplines, are interested in the critical study and analysis of international cooperation through the use of ethnographic tools. The aim of the course is to provide students with the analytical tools necessary to deal with the ethnographic analysis of development processes, with particular attention to environmental issues and conflicts.

1. Knowledge and understanding
Acquire the ability to critically analyze a development project and the power dynamics underlying it.
Have a general idea of ​​the extra-academic contexts of where ethnographic knowledge can be put to work
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to apply the ethnographic method to the observation of development processes
3. Making judgements
Critical judgment and analysis of applied anthropology texts
4. Communication skills
Through the group exercises carried out during the course, the student will deepen their communication skills.
5. Learning skills
Through the group exercises carried out during the course, and the drafting of the final thesis, students will develop autonomous research skills.

A basic knowledge of the ethnographic method is preferred

During the lectures and through group presentations the following topics will be addressed:

1. Definition of applied anthropology and public anthropology; possible fields of application of the ethnographic method in extra-academic contexts
2. Definition and critical analysis of the concept of "developing countries"; identification of the main international bodies that carry out development policies in the world
3. Development of analytical tools that will allow the student to carry out a critical discussion of development projects by taking into consideration case-studies from different geographical locations
4. Analysis of the concept of "friction" and "political ontology" and their application to environmental issues

In english:
De Leon, Jason. (2015) The land of open graves. University of California Press.
Ferguson, J. (1990). The anti-politics machine:'development', depoliticization and bureaucratic power in Lesotho. CUP Archive.
Tsing, A. L. (2011). Friction: An ethnography of global connection. Princeton University Press.
Escobar, A. (2011). Encountering development: The making and unmaking of the Third World. Princeton University Press.
Mosse, D. (2005). Cultivating development: An ethnography of aid policy and practice (anthropology, culture and society series).
Li, Tania. M. (2007). The will to improve: Governmentality, development, and the practice of politics. Duke University Press.
Blaser, M. (2010). Storytelling globalization from the Chaco and beyond. Duke University Press.

In italian:
Declich, F. (2012). Il mestiere dell’antropologo. Esperienze di consulenza tra istituzioni e cooperazione allo sviluppo.

The final exam will consist of a written essay on a question provided by the teacher to which the students will answer using one of monographs indicated in the examination bibliography.

The course will consist of lectures, vision and commentary of audio-visual materials, and group presentations.

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development