ANTHROPOLOGY OF IMAGES IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Anthropology of the Image in the Eastern Mediterranean is part of the MA degree in Cultural Anthropology.
The course introduces to key issues of visual studies by focusing on an emblematic topic. Students learn how to "read" images and visual artefacts from the point of view of cultural studies and come in contact with the deep visual history of the Eastern Mediterranean. In class, students acquire a basic command of relevant material sources and exercise critical interpretive skills.

1. Knowledge and understanding of:
- you know in outlines the Geography of the Levant
- you know which sources and methods are used in the field of Anthropology of the Image, with a specific focus on the Eastern Mediterranean in pre-classical times
- you understand the great issues and scientific challenges in the Anthropology of the Image

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
- you can identify culturally significant geographic features discussed in class on a map of the Levant
- you can make an informed guess about the meaning and function of emblematic images discussed in class
- given a topic discussed in class, you can design a simple research strategy to address it
- you can connect specific issues discussed in class with great topical challenges

3. Making Judgements
- you can formulate your own interpretative hypothesis for the images discussed in class
- you can formulate your own critical opinion of the textbooks and articles read in class

4. Communication
- you learn to cooperate in groups to solve archaeological problems
- you exercise your ability to speak appropriately in front of an audience

5. Lifelong learning skills
- you can quickly scan a scientific article for essential information
- you can study texts written in a language different than your mother tongue
- you can pitch your own ideas to a stakeholder and/or a wider public

Command of the English language. Interest in visual strategies and affinity to visual communication.

The topic of the course is "Violence and Spectacle". We will study how ritual performances and art connects to death and murder, exploring how, in different social frameworks, images of detailed violence are accepted, produced and appreciated. Selected case-studies froma wide geographic and chronological range will give us the opportunity to ponder the social role of institutionalized violence.

Please note that this course is not a series of chalf-and-talk lectures, but requires the active partecipation of each student - firs and foremost reading assignments to be discussed in class. In order to pass the final exam, students are required to prepare an oral presentation on a case-study of choice.

Reading material will be given in class.

The successful student is required to participate proactively in-class activities, including homework and oral presentations (50% of final grade) and to write a short essay on a selected topic (50% of final grade).

Lectures, integrated by research and study activities in class. Participants are required to prepare recommended readings and written assignments before the lecture, to prepare presentations, to engage in class activities, access and interact with materials uploaded on the Moodle platform.

English

Students planning to pass the final examinations without attending lectures are required to contact the teacher via email in due advance in order to discuss the possibility of tailored contents and an appropriate timetable.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development