Learning objectives
KNOWLEDGE: To provide basic knowledge of anthropological questions in relation to the main contents and current debates on social issues (migration, tourism, inequalities, ecological crisis, etc.)
COMPETENCE: to apply acquired knowledge in everyday e/o professional contests.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Classical themes and concepts of cultural anthropology will be addressed, connecting them with current debates, particularly significant for the students' educational path: globalization and linguistic diversity, intercultural dynamics and social conflicts, migration, critical-responsible tourism, cultural heritage). The in-depth studies will give students the opportunity to learn how to "use" anthropology to understand the contexts in which they live, act and work. The issue of borders will be discussed and explored, together with dwelling and migrations. Some lessons wil be dedicated to Mongolia.
Full programme
The introduction of the basic concepts of cultural anthropology is required to master a subject not present in most high schools. The specificity of the discipline - 'intercultural' by definition, since based on deep communication and interaction between people performing different cultures- will be highlighted, together with the potential of the ethnographic research method, the so called 'participant observation': a practice of knowledge and social interaction, oriented to inclusive, transcultural constructiveness, applicable both in daily life, as well in the wider social interaction.
The high potential of anthropology will be presented, consisting in providing content information related to the people present today in the local social and educational contexts, deconstructs prejudices, stereotypes, and fix, wrong, restrictive, discriminating or violent categorizations. Starting points will be provided, in order to produce and re-produce more equal and non-discriminatory relationships. The links between the anthropological concepts of 'culture/cultures', 'social and cultural construction', 'participant observation', 'self-observation', 'self awareness', 'self-esteem', 'social education', etc. will be detailed. Reflections on 'not only Western' knowledge and practices will be elaborated as tools for the deconstruction of ethnocentrism, marginalization, exclusion.
The construction and the unequal treatment of many socio-cultural 'diversities' will be examined through a critical approach to the study of contemporary ethnographic cases in cross-cultural educational environments and living cultures. The collective benefits of diversity applied to educational cooperative work will be highlighted, and a deconstruction of the linguistic-cognitive and pragmatic risks involved, between 'cultural differentialism', 'cultural relativism', and Human Rights will be developed.
Will be constructed tools for a greater self-awareness of educators inherent to their communicational and educational abilities in groups education and management, aimed at avoiding racist, marginalizing drifts.
The issue of borders will be discussed and explored, together with dwelling and migrations. Some lessons wil be dedicated to Mongolia.
Bibliography
1. Fabietti, U., Elementi di antropologia culturale, Mondadori, 2015 (only some chapters that will be communicated during the course)
2. Lectures, Essays and Video online on Elly platform.
3. A book among the following ones:
- Bellatalla D., Rosati S., Il grande viaggio. Lungo le carovaniere della Via della Seta, Montura editing (the book won the Chatwin Award), Trento, Montura editing, 2020.
- Bellatalla D., Mongolia. La terra degli inseguitori di nuvole, Sestri Levante, Oltre edizioni, 2018.
- Tosi Cambini, S. Other Borders. History, Mobility and Migration of Rudari Families between Romania and Italy, Berghahn, New York-London, 2023.
Teaching methods
Blended method: Lessons and seminars; Lectures and discussions, Q&A, some writing exercitations in classes, Online lectures Educational material, videos on Elly Platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
Attending students will be expected to produce a paper with a power point presentation which will be discussed orally with the book of their choice.
For non-attending students: Oral examination.
The evaluation will be the following: the student will answer the questions correctly using an appropriate language, communication skills, and showing an excellent ability to apply, make connections, autonomy of judgment and critical re-elaboration of concepts (from 28 to 30 e Lode); the student will answer correctly the questions using an appropriate language, communication skills, and showing a good ability to apply, sufficient autonomy of judgment and critical re-elaboration of the concepts (from 25 to 27); the student will answer the questions correctly using a sufficiently appropriate language (from 21 to 24); the student will answer correctly at least a part of the essential questions using a sufficiently appropriate language (from 18 to 20).
Other information
Possibility of examination for non-italian speakers in English or French
