Learning objectives
At the end of the Laboratory students will have acquired research skills in Anthropology:
• Knowledge and understanding
knowledge of the categories of anthropology and ability to understand the practical processes of research and its evaluation
• Applying knowledge and understanding
be able to carry out ethnographic field research and the collection and organisation of materials independently
• Making judgements
be able to analyse the research data autonomously and in working group
• Communication skills
be able to participate actively in the exchange and evaluation of research results, be able to organise and communicate critical evaluations in order to contribute to the common results
• Learning skills
develop the capacity for critical and self-critical evaluation of the results achieved
Prerequisites
Course unit content
The aim of the laboratory is to explore and experiment research and study practices, in relation to material and immaterial heritage. The intention is to identify characterizations and interpretative models typical of Anthropology. On the bases of reflections on museum anthropology and cultural heritage, the laboratory aims to prepare students for field research in the territories, cities and museums. Moreover, starting from the definition of material culture, the laboratory intends to investigate the aspect of instrumentality and expressiveness of objects and tackle the question of their capitalization. Another important aspect will be the relationship between Heritage and Memory, between heritage memory and new heritage.
Full programme
The laboratory aims to explore and experiment research and study practices related to the material and immaterial dimension of cultural heritage, through the interpretative practice of Anthropology. The workshop aims to prepare students for field research in the city and in museums. Moreover, starting from the definition of material culture, the laboratory will investigate the human aspects as well as the instrumental and expressive characteristics, of the "objects" of everyday life, and then it will tackle the issues of their capitalization. Another important aspect will be the relationship between Heritage and Memory. After an introduction linked to the themes of the Anthropology of Heritage, the Contemporary Museum and the Methodologies of Ethnographic Research, the workshop will pay particular attention to the design and development of field research and the elaboration of "expositive" expressions of the results. The workshop will focus on themes related to the City as a place (and space) in which to investigate the expressions, material and immaterial, of urban culture, according to an “Anthropology of the city”. Through this concept it will be possible to identify and collect those ethnographic narratives of everyday life, which will allow an anthropological view of the urban reality of Parma. The workshop includes an introduction and theoretical preparation to the research, field research actions in group and individually, moments of analysis and evaluation of the research actions carried out.
Research
The City and Objects. The "field" research will take place, both in groups and individually, in the urban space of Parma.
Start 10 October - End 11 December
- Tuesday and Wednesday from 14.30 to 16.30
Organisation
- Introduction and theoretical preparation 12 hours (classroom)
- Analysis and evaluation of the research carried out 15 hours (classroom)
- Research 48 hours: 24-hour research in group / 24-hour individual independently research
Bibliography
- Matthew Engelke, Pensare come un antropologo, Torino, Einaudi, 2018.
- Francesco Ronzon, Sul campo. Breve guida alla ricerca etnografica, Roma, Meltemi, 2008.
Teaching methods
Lectures, group and individual field research, exercises to evaluate research results.
Assessment methods and criteria
Verification of participation in the preparatory stages and in the research, final evaluation in relation to the research paper.
Other information
Students will be receiving a lecture notes prepared by the teacher.
