ETHNOLOGY I

"Elements of Landscape Ethnology."
This is a monographic course. This course is part of the core curriculum of anthropological disciplines. The course provides an advanced approach to a series of contemporary anthropological concepts for the analysis of the physical and cultural components of space from both a historical and ecological perspective, using the key concept of landscape. Given the monographic nature of the course, theoretical topics will be discussed not abstractly but applied to the context of Saami ethnography, Lapland (Lappland), and northern Scandinavia.

Knowledge of the epistemological framework of contemporary ethnology. Critical awareness of the issues and resources of corporeality in fieldwork. Acquire and develop essential theories and concepts in the contemporary debate on spatial and landscape anthropology. Ability to construct ethnographic analyses by integrating sources in a multifaceted manner, with particular reference to historical sources (written and physical), literary sources, and the arts. Develop a critical awareness of one's own sensory experiences during fieldwork. Ability to effectively utilize the contributions of literary geography to the anthropological analysis of landscape as a cultural asset. Acquire knowledge of the history and ethnography of Lapland (cultures, linguistic ramifications, socio-political transformations), with particular emphasis on key moments in the colonization processes of the European Arctic.

To take the exam for this course, it is essential to have successfully passed at least the basic exam "Cultural Anthropology, Introduction" (FT0003); it is even better if the second module exam "Cultural Anthropology, History" (FT0004) has also been passed.

Course Title: "Elements of Landscape Ethnology."
This is a monographic course. Through a careful analysis of selected moments and aspects of the cultural history of Lapland (northern Scandinavia), the course aims to describe the following general thematic areas: The anthropological concept of landscape. Environments and ecosystems. The complexity of the notion of "place." Theories of practice and ecological-relational concepts of landscape. Narratives, senses of place, emotions, and memory. Sensory experiences and narrative elaboration of field experience. Management of territorial spaces, borders, ethnicity, and systems of power. Environmental risk. Ethnology and the arts. Anthropology of literature and landscape ethnography.

Required readings for all students:

1) Ligi G., “Lapponia. Anthropology and the History of a Landscape,” Milan, Unicopli, 2016.
2) Lai, “Anthropology of the Landscape,” Carocci, 2002.

A critical reading list, which is not mandatory for the exam but will be helpful in preparing for the exam, will be provided during class.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended for optimal exam results.

It is not possible to bring the syllabus from the previous academic year 2025-26.

The exam consists of a two-hour written test consisting of four open-ended questions on topics covered in the course and textbooks. Each answer is evaluated out of 30, and the final grade is calculated based on the overall average. The final grade is not calculated by strictly applying the arithmetic mean, but is based on the overall critical evaluation of the paper. The evaluation criteria are: 1. relevance of the content to the question posed; 2. ability to critically elaborate on the concepts presented; 3. clarity of exposition; 4. appropriate use of language; 5. specific references to works and authors covered during the course and in the textbooks.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Specifically, the score scale, based on the evaluation of the five criteria indicated, is distributed 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 five criteria indicated. With only 1 correct answer out of 4, the exam is failed regardless of the grade given to the answer.
Registration on the course's Moodle platform is mandatory.

Lectures in Italian with analysis of texts and historical sources in Swedish, Norwegian, Samiska, and Old Norse, using Power Point presentations.

To apply for a thesis in Cultural Anthropology, the following requirements are essential:
1. Successful completion of the exams "Introduction to Cultural Anthropology" (FT0003) and "History of Cultural Anthropology" (FT0004) while attending.
2. Discussion of a short preliminary research project.

The thesis topic must be consistent with the instructor's research areas: anthropology of space and landscape; spatiotemporal categories; anthropology of domestic space; anthropology of risk and disasters; anthropology of objects; Saami history and ethnography (Lapland, Northern Scandinavia); history of anthropology.

N.B. Erasmus students are required to express themselves fluently in Italian. The exam for Erasmus students must be taken in Italian.

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