ANTHROPOLOGY OF ENVIRONMENT IN JAPAN

This is one of the core courses of the Corso di Laurea "Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa".
Its formative objectives are within the area of cultural and humanistic skills learning.

Throughout the course learning, students develop a critical view of the complex interactions between society, culture and the environment, applying the methodologies of analysis typical of environmental anthropology to the Japanese context. The main objective is to provide students with the theoretical and practical tools to examine and interpret cultural and ecological phenomena, both theoretically and practically, within one of the world's most unique and complex socio-environmental realities. The course encourages students to take a reflective approach to contemporary environmental issues, focusing on how Japanese society has dealt with coexisting with nature and managing natural resources through complex cultural practices. Different ecological traditions, human-animal interactions, and land management policies are the focus of discussion, bridging local practices and modern challenges. In particular, students will be invited to explore the dynamics of hunting, farming, fishing, and conservation in Japan, analyzing how rural communities manage wildlife and natural resources. Through the approach of multispecies ethnography, students will be able to understand how humans are not the sole protagonists of history, but how nonhuman species are also crucial players in the construction of culture and the definition of social and natural spaces.

It is recommended that students have an intermediate level knowledge of English (B2) in order to be able to expand on the content covered in the course by consulting reference texts. Familiarity with key concepts in environmental anthropology is also necessary.

The main objective of the course is to introduce Japanese environmental anthropology, with a special focus on multispecies ethnography and complex human-animal relations in Japan. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the course will explore the ecological, cultural, and social dynamics that link humans to animals, examining specific case studies on different species (bears, wild boars, deer, monkeys, whales, wolves) and rural Japanese communities, such as mountain hunters and fishing communities. The course is divided into thematic modules that explore key concepts in environmental anthropology, with a focus on traditional ecological practices, interaction with local wildlife, and contemporary issues related to biodiversity management and conservation in Japan. Each module will be accompanied by selected readings.

The bibliography for the course will consist of a selection of studies that explore specific topics and issues related to environmental anthropology and Japanese society. Detailed clarifications of the bibliography will be provided throughout the course. Texts dealing specifically with the topics covered during the lectures will be made available on the Moodle platform dedicated to the course. Students will then have access to additional resources and can consult relevant study materials to deepen their understanding of the topics covered.

- Writing a thesis on a topic of choice to be agreed upon with the instructor (approximately 3000 words): Students are required to write a thesis on a topic related to the course, which must be agreed upon in advance with the instructor. The thesis should demonstrate the ability to explore a specific subject, critically analyzing and synthesizing information in a clear and coherent manner. The completed paper must be submitted via Moodle in .doc format at least two weeks before the exam date. Timely submission and the quality of the work will be crucial for evaluation, accounting for 60% of the final grade for the course.

- Discussion of the thesis (10% of the final grade): Following the submission of the thesis, students will participate in an oral discussion of their paper, where their ability to summarize, present, and defend their arguments will be assessed. The discussion will allow students to further clarify and elaborate on the points made in their written work, providing the instructor an opportunity to evaluate their overall understanding of the topic and their ability to argue critically and thoughtfully. The discussion represents 10% of the final grade and will contribute to the final evaluation of the thesis.

written

Grading Criteria for the Thesis and Oral Exam

A. Score range 18-21:
- Knowledge and understanding: Sufficient knowledge of the program with an adequate ability to apply it, but with limitations in depth and analysis.
- Ability to gather and interpret information: Limited ability to independently gather and analyze information. Few personal judgments, sometimes superficial or not fully developed.
- Communication skills: Sufficient communication skills, but the use of specific language is still basic and not entirely appropriate for describing the phenomena discussed. The presentation may be somewhat imprecise.

B. Score range 22-25:
- Knowledge and understanding: Decent knowledge of the program, with a good but not always deep understanding. Ability to apply concepts clearly and pertinently.
- Ability to gather and interpret information: Good ability to gather and interpret information independently. The judgments made are acceptable but could be more thorough and well-argued.
- Communication skills: Good communication skills, with correct use of specific language, although sometimes not entirely precise. The presentation is clear but could be smoother.

C. Score range 26-30:
- Knowledge and understanding: Excellent knowledge and understanding of the program, with a solid ability to apply concepts in a relevant and in-depth manner. Complete and well-articulated analysis.
- Ability to gather and interpret information: Excellent ability to gather and interpret information, with well-formed and well-argued personal judgments. Strong capacity for synthesis and analysis.
- Communication skills: Very good communication skills, with precise and appropriate use of specific language. The presentation is clear, structured, and well-organized, with a good ability to adapt to the audience.

D. Honors:
Honors will be awarded for an outstanding performance, with in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of the program, exceptional judgment skills, and flawless communication. The ability to analyze and mastery of specific language are superior, and the presentation of the thesis and oral exam stands out for originality, clarity, and depth.

Lectures and seminar type teaching.

It will only be possible to take the exam with the syllabus taught in this course (a.y. 2023-24) for the first four appeals after the course is held.
Once these four appeals have passed, students will have to take the exam with the syllabus of the new academic year.

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