The main objective of the course is rethinking the problem of power, in relation to the mass phenomena and to collective violence, in a theoretical optics and by the cultural comparison, in order to identify some foundational structures of society of an universal character, although with different manifestations in various epochs and civilizations. Students will have to know how to locate direct and indirect reflections of these phenomena in the common social experience and in the everyday life, applying the tools of theoretical analysis to concrete events.

A second  more specific objective covers the deepening of war as a phenomenon of "double mass", closely related to the problem of power as "survival" and to a classic problem of political theory, that of sovereignty. Even in this case students have to know how to apply the achieved tools of theoretical analysis to the contemporary experience.

1) Introduction to anthropology. Cultural or social anthropology? Political anthropology as a specific dimension of social anthropology
2) Cultural differences and collective identities. Outlines of history of anthropology.
3) Socio-anthropological relevance and originality of Elias Canetti's work.- The concept of "mass" in accord to Canetti.
4) Feaures and  types of the masses.
5) Mass and nationality symbolism.
6) Types of "packs".
7) "Packs" and religions.
8) Double masses. The war double mass.
9) Deepening about war.
10) Power and survival.
11) Types of survivors.
12) Structures of command.
13) Antidotes to "survival". The metamorphosis.
14) IThe power as denial of change. The survivor's destiny.
15) Deepening about sovereignty and its crisis.

No course.

1. Knowledge and understanding:

students must acquire a critical look on the apparent evidences and the apparent obviousness of society, trying to grasp the fundamentals of these apparences.
1.1 Students achieve such basic knowledge actively and dialogically participating in the lessons and by an analytical study of the proposed texts.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding,

Students learn how to connect the theoretical concept with the common experience, also using news stories and immaginary productions,as various art forms.

2.1 Students acquire this ability by discussions in the class,  seminars, conferences and lectures, film screenings.

3.  Making judgements.
Students should get used to the critical reflection, using multidisciplinary approaches.

3.1 This ability is manifested by discussions in the class, with the professor and between colleagues,  in special deepening seminars and during the final exam.

4. Communication skills:

This ability is manifested by the reactivity to the professor's requests, the active involvement in class discussions, the capability in offering reflections and objections.

4.1 Such abilityis acquired progressively being accustomed to a participatory and critically attentive attitude during lessons and discussions.

5.  Learning skills.

 Students should develop skills of critical learning and ofunderstanding in depth; they have to reserve a secondary role to the memorisation; they must also,  without unnecessary presumption, maintain autonomy of judgement and the ability to offer divergent and alternative views in reference to the hypotheses envisaged.
5. 1 These skills will be acquired in the various occasions of  instructional interactions.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

In October there will be a seminar by Doctor Leonard Mazzone (University of Turin) about Canetti's Crowds and Power. Any other seminars or integrative workshops will be communicated in class.

Teaching

The course will consist of lectures, possibly supplemented with audiovisual material.

Attendance

Students must have the normal level in general culture that can be expected at this stage of studies, particularly in regard of the knowlwdge of contemporary history and the ability to express themselves properly and clearly. If students are aware of having historical information gaps, it is strongly recommended to revise the textbook received in the last year at the high scool. In studying the textbooks, students have to understand the fundamental topics and learn how to expose them correctly with their own words.  The purely mnemonic study is not appreciated.

Attendance in the class is not compulsory.

To be considered a regularly attending student, the minimum frequency at three quarters of class hours is required. 

Course books

1) E. Canetti, Crowds and Power, english translation by C. Stewart, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, New York 1984.

2) M. Walzer, Arguing about War, Yale University Press, New Haven & London 2004.

(For foreign students only).

All texts are to be studied fully.

Assessment

The exam is individual and takes place only orally. Every student can begin the exam with a topic of his choice. The knowledge of all the textbooks will be verified. The purely mnemonic study is not appreciated and does not guarantee passing the exam. The general culture level and the ability to expose correctly and clearly will affect the rating. The ability to carry out relevant personal considerations will be very appreciated.Top mark (30 cum laude) will be achieved by students that, besides not having significant gaps on the textbooks, will demonstrate critical thinking, good argumentative capacity and effectiveness of exposure.

On demand by the student, it is possible during the exam to discuss an optional paper, that must be given to the Professor at least ten days in advance. Writing the paper does not dispense from the completeness of the study and impacts positively on the final mark only if the quality is good, otherwise it will be disregarded.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The basic learning activity for non-attending students is the individual study of textbooks. It is recommended integrating it with interviews with the Professor, by appointment, in the event of difficulties in understanding textbooks. Email contacts will suffice for the simplest matters.

Attendance

Students must have the normal level in general culture that can be expected at this stage of studies, particularly in regard of the knowlwdge of contemporary history and the ability to express themselves properly and clearly. If students are aware of having historical information gaps, it is strongly recommended to revise the textbook received in the last year at the high scool. In studying the textbooks, students have to understand the fundamental topics and learn how to expose them correctly with their own words.  The purely mnemonic study is not appreciated.

It is strongly reccomended to consult the professor for every serious difficulty of understanding the textbooks during the individual study.

Course books

1) E. Canetti, Crowds and Power, english translation by C. Stewart, Farrar, Straus & Giroux, New York 1984.

2) M. Walzer, Arguing about War, Yale University Press, New Haven & London 2004.

3). S. Maleshevich, The Sociology of War and Violence, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (U.K.) 2010.

(For non-attending foreign students only).

All texts are to be studied fully.

Assessment

The exam is individual and takes place only orally.Every student can begin the exam with a topic of his choice. The knowledge of all the textbooks will be verified. The purely mnemonic study is not appreciated and does not guarantee passing the exam. The general culture level and the ability to expose correctly and clearly will affect the rating. The ability to carry out relevant personal considerations will be very appreciated.Top mark (30 cum laude) will be achieved by students that, besides not having significant gaps on the textbooks, will demonstrate critical thinking, good argumentative capacity and effectiveness of exposure.

On demand by the student, it is possible during the exam to discuss an optional paper, that must be given to the Professor at least ten days in advance. Writing the paper does not dispense from the completeness of the study and impacts positively on the final mark only if the quality is good, otherwise it will be disregarded.

To be a not attending student never has a negative impact on the final mark.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The student can request to sit the exam in english with the bibliography above.