Learning objectives
The aim of the course is offering an introduction to the history of social anthropology. The most important theories and schools will be discussed, from the XIX century until the most recent debates (first Dublin descriptor). The general description will provide students to critically understand the discipline development as well the social and epistemological transformation’s processes linked to European colonial expansion (second and third Dublin descriptors).
Course unit content
The course presents the most important theories and schools in the history of anthropology locating them in their historic and social context. It will be discussed the evolutionary theories (Tylor, Morgan), diffusionism, the historical particularism of Boas, the first experiences of fieldwork, the French sociological school (Durkheim, Mauss), American cultural anthropology (Kroeber, Benedict, Mead), the British functionalist anthropology (Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown), and the following critical positions (Leach, Gluckman), French structuralism (Lévi-Strauss), marxist anthropology, Italian anthropology, post-modern anthropology. Particular attention will be draw to the women's anthropology and to feminist anthropology.
Bibliography
- Ugo Fabietti, Storia dell’antropologia, Bologna, Zanichelli, 1991 [terza ediz., 2011].
- Alice Bellagamba, 2000, “I confini dei generi. Alcune questioni problematiche in antropologia”, in Generi di traverso, a cura di Alice Bellagamba, Paola di Cori e Marco Pustianaz, Vercelli, Edizioni Mercurio, pp.70-83.
- Nicole-Claude Mathieu, "Critiche epistemologiche sulla problematica dei sessi nel discorso etno-antropologico", in dwf, Donne Ritrovate, numero 10-11, 1989, pp. 8-54.
Readings for not attending students
Students not attending are requested to study, in addition to the principal readings, two of the following texts:
- Sylvia Yanagisako e Jane Collier, “Genere sessuale e parentela: verso un’analisi unificata”, in L’antropologia culturale oggi, a cura di Robert Borofsky, Roma, Meltemi, 236-247;
- Mila Busoni, 2000, "Il genere e Margaret Mead. Una metaetnografia", in Genere, Sesso, Cultura, Uno sguardo antropologico, Roma, Carocci, pp.77-96.
- Adam Kuper, 1983, “Radicliffe-Brown”, in Anthropology and Anthropologists. The Modern British School, London, Routldge, pp.36-68.
- Adam Kuper, 1983, “Leach and Gluckman”, in Anthropology and Anthropologists. The Modern British School, London, Routldge, pp.142-166.
- George Stocking, 1985, “Matthew Arnold, E.B. Tylor e gli usi di una invenzione”, in Stocking, Razza, cultura, evoluzione. Saggi di storia dell’antropologia, Milano, Il Saggiatore, pp.117-140.
- George Stocking, 1985, “Boas e il concetto di cultura”, in Stocking, Razza, cultura, evoluzione. Saggi di storia dell’antropologia, Milano, Il Saggiatore, pp. 257-298
- - Mondher Kilani, 2002, “Lévi-Strauss e l’antropologia strutturale. Un pensiero all’opera”, in Antropologia. Un’introduzione, Bari, Dedalo Edizioni, pp. 251-266.
Teaching methods
The course is based on lectures. Students will be encouraged to participate, drawing connections between key concepts and theories.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final exam : oral exam.
Exams will test general knowledge about the history of anthropology and theoretical notions situed in specific historic and geographic context; particular attention will be requested to fieldwork experiences.
