In line with the learning objective of the Laurea Magistrale, we aim to provide a sound preparation in specific thematic fields of the anthropological discipline. This course offers an introductory overview of Cultural Anthropology by illustrating its theoretical foundations and historical development, and exploring the relationship between anthropological studies, racism and ethnicity which will be presented in several empirical contexts, including migration.

Following a brief introduction about the fundaments of Cultural Anthropology, the fundaments of the anthropological thought will be the object of the first part of the course and particular attention will be places on its origins in the 1920s’ and to its actual growing relevance within the anthropological discipline. Classic anthropological issues such as ethnicity and gender identity, kinship and family networks, power and exchange relations as well as more recent issue (diasporic identities, transnational networks, forms of citizenship) will be tackled through the lens of anthropology.

The issues of inclusion and exclusion will be analysed through the nowadays existing categorial, legal and administrative distinction between economic/voluntary migrations and political/forced ones will be tackled at a second stage. The proliferation of labels to classify migrants, and related forms of their inclusion/exclusion, control, containment and detention, or deportation will be object of presentations. In particular, main differences the management and the study of migration between the global North and the Global South will be highlighted. Examples of early migrations and integration across the Indian Ocean will be part of the material proposed to the students.

Discussion will also be solicited through the vision of a number of video documentaries on migration issues which will be used as a study tool.

No bridging courses

It is expected that students will acquire advanced and specific knowledge of main authors, concepts and debates within Cultural Anthropology. The students’ ability to learn about this specific field will be enhanced by encouraging the students’ autonomy and critical abilities, through lectures, seminar sessions and debates.

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

During the year there  will be seminars and workshops to which the students are strongly advised to attend.

Teaching

The course offers an introductory part on the bases of cultural anthropology. Thereafter a historic and theoretical presentation of the discipline will be presented; the final part will alternate lectures with at least 8 hours of seminars of selected readings and essays presented by the students.

Attendance is not compulsory. Those who attend may have the chance prepare a presentation to the class mates.

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory. Those who attend may have the chance prepare a presentation to the class mates.

Course books

Fabietti Ugo, Storia dell'antropologia culturale, Zanichelli

Guido Barbujani, L'invenzione delle razze. Capire la biodiversità umana, Bompiani

Martina Cvajner, 2018, Sociologia delle migrazioni femminili. L'esperienza delle donne post-sovietiche, Il Mulino, Bologna. I soli capitoli: Introduzione pgg. 7-14 e Cap. 1 Migrazioni femminili e sistemi migratori pgg. 15-48.

Michele Colucci, Storia dell'immigrazione straniera in Italia. Dal 1945 ai nostri giorni, Carocci Editore

Vanessa Maher, Studi sull'etnicità, Rosemberg  and Sellier

Un testo narrativa a scelta tra i seguenti 3:

Francesca Melandri, Sangue Giusto

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah

Bjorn Larsson, 2019, La lettera di Gertrud, Iperborea

Students may also negotiate with the teacheralternativebooks in English or Spanish.

Assessment

Students will take an oral exam. This will be a discussion aiming at assessing the acquired basic notions, the ability to apply such notions to specific cases, and to critically discuss selected topics. Questions will address notions acquired while attending the course, and the texts for those who attended the classes. Students who didn’t or could not attend the lessons will undertake an oral exposition of the texts specifically listed for “non – attending students”. Erasmus students and any other wishing students may prepare for the examination and take it in English, studying texts specifically selected upon previous agreement with the teacher.

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 course offers an introductory part on the bases of cultural anthropology. Thereafter a historic and theoretical presentation of the discipline will be presented; the final part will alternate lectures with at least 8 hours of seminars of selected readings and essays presented by the students.

There are not specific didactic modalities for non attending students. They have to read all the books included in the program.

Attendance

There are not specific didactic modalities for non attending students. They have to read all the books included in the program.

Course books

Fabietti Ugo, Storia dell'antropologia culturale, Zanichelli

Guido Barbujani, L'invenzione delle razze. Capire la biodiversità umana, Bompiani

Martina Cvajner, 2018, Sociologia delle migrazioni femminili. L'esperienza delle donne post-sovietiche, Il Mulino, Bologna. I soli capitoli: Introduzione pgg. 7-14 e Cap. 1 Migrazioni femminili e sistemi migratori pgg. 15-48.

Michele Colucci, Storia dell'immigrazione straniera in Italia. Dal 1945 ai nostri giorni, Carocci Editore

Vanessa Maher, Studi sull'etnicità, Rosemberg  and Sellier

Un testo narrativa a scelta tra i seguenti 3:

Francesca Melandri, Sangue Giusto

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Americanah

Bjorn Larsson, 2019, La lettera di Gertrud, Iperborea

Students may also negotiate with the teacheralternativebooks in English or Spanish.

Assessment

Students will take an oral exam. This will be a discussion aiming at assessing the acquired basic notions, the ability to apply such notions to specific cases, and to critically discuss selected topics. Questions will address notions acquired while attending the course, and the texts for those who attended the classes. Students who didn’t or could not attend the lessons will undertake an oral exposition of the texts specifically listed for “non – attending students”. Erasmus students and any other wishing students may prepare for the examination and take it in English, studying texts specifically selected upon previous agreement with the teacher.

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 students who have followed previous years and have already bought their books can undertake the exams with such books.