CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, INTRODUCTION

The course “Cultural Anthropology, Introduction” is one of the core courses for the anthropology track of the three-year degree program in History and is included as a required exam in Conservation and Management of Cultural Heritage and Activities. The aim of the course is to develop the ability to reflect on cultural diversity and provide basic theoretical and methodological tools of cultural anthropology. The course pays particular attention to the acquisition of decentralization skills and the main topics of anthropological debate. The course also outlines the basic methods for conducting ethnographic research. Attention will be given to participatory methodologies.

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the main themes and issues addressed by cultural anthropology, with the related main theoretical and methodological approaches.

Application skills: ability to critically address the main themes of contemporary anthropological debate, using one's own cultural categories in a reflective manner. Ability to grasp the richness and complexity of cultural diversity.

Ability to independently rework and communicate what has been learned: learning the basics of technical vocabulary and the most appropriate anthropological terminology, knowing how to take notes and summarize topics and ideas learned during lectures and in preparation for exam material.

No one. Indeed, the course is introductory.

Main approaches, themes, and debates in cultural anthropology: the concept of culture and approaches to it; research methods; ethnocentrism and cultural relativism; political systems, hierarchies, and power; social change; political and economic systems, religion, myth, and rituals; cultural creativity.

Mandatory:
Richard H. Robbins, 2009, Antropologia culturale. Un approccio per problemi. Gabriella D’Agostino, Vincenzo Matera (eds.), UTET Università
Seconda edizione o successive.
Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7.
Plus, mandatory, a text of your choice from:
Marc Augé, 1993, Nonluoghi, Eleuthera, Milano;
Marshall Sahlins, 2010, Un grosso sbaglio. L’idea occidentale di natura umana, Eleuthera, Milano.
Marshall Sahlins, 2023, Nonostante Tucidide. La storia come cultura, Eleuthera, Milano (solo Introduzione, Capitolo primo; Capitolo secondo).

Written exam in person with open-ended questions on topics covering the main aspects of the course. The exam is considered passed if the assessment is deemed at least sufficient with respect to the following four basic criteria: 1. relevance of content to the questions asked; 2. ability to critically analyze and articulate the concepts presented; 3. clarity of presentation; 4. language skills (within the limits of a three-year introductory course to DEA disciplines). In particular, the scoring scale, with respect to the evaluation of the four criteria indicated, is divided as follows: scores in the 18-22 range are considered sufficient; scores in the range 23-26 are fair; scores in the range 27-30 are good or excellent; honors are awarded if the exam is evaluated as excellent according to the four criteria indicated.
Enrollment in the Moodle course is mandatory.

written

The test is passed if the assessment is deemed at least satisfactory with respect to the following four basic criteria: 1. relevance of the content to the questions asked; 2. ability to critically analyze and articulate the concepts presented; 3. clarity of presentation; 4. appropriateness of language (within the limits of a three-year introductory course to DEA disciplines). In particular, the scoring scale, with respect to the evaluation of the four criteria indicated, is divided as follows: scores in the 18-22 range are sufficient; scores in the 23-26 range are fair; scores in the 27-30 range are good or excellent; honors are awarded if the exam is evaluated as excellent according to the four criteria indicated.

Taught and interactive lectures.

Attendance is not mandatory but is highly recommended. Students are asked to consult the information material on MOODLE and to check the teacher's personal notices. Students with special permits must contact the Disability Office in advance and inform the teacher as soon as they arrive in the classroom.

Ca' Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) for support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or specific learning disorders. If you have a motor, visual, or hearing disability or other disability (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disorder (Law 170/2010) and require support (assistance in the classroom, technological aids for taking exams or individualized exams, material in accessible format, note retrieval, specialized tutoring to support your studies, interpreters, or other assistance), please contact the Disability and SLD Office at disabilita@unive.it.

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