CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY, INTRODUCTION

The course "Cultural Anthropology, Introduction" is a mandatory examination for BC Tars, BC Archaeology, and other BC v.o. courses. It is part of the educational activities for the anthropology track of the three-year degree course in History and aims to develop the ability to reflect on cultural diversity. The course provides essential theoretical and methodological tools for Cultural Anthropology and covers the main themes of the anthropological approach, including cultural diversity, ethnocentrism, cultural relativism, social phenomena and relations, political, religious and economic systems, social change, and processes of cultural re-signification in postcolonial contexts.
The primary goal of the course is to equip students with fundamental knowledge that characterises the anthropological approach. It also introduces them to the main anthropological methods, including field research, participant observation, verbal and non-verbal data collection methods, transcription, production of anthropological knowledge, anthropologist insertion and positioning, data systematisation, and interpretation.

By actively participating in the course and studying the examination material individually, students will have the opportunity to achieve the following objectives:
1. Acquire knowledge of anthropological theories and methods applied to the study of various social phenomena
2. Develop an appreciation for the cultural and social complexity of other societies
3. Learn to avoid imposing their cultural categories on other societies and groups, and instead, reflect on their evaluations, practices, and cultural representations that are often taken for granted
4. Gain familiarity with technical vocabulary and anthropological terminology
5. Acquire practical note-taking and summarization skills to aid in retaining the themes and ideas presented during lectures and while preparing for exams.

No prerequisites are required for this course, as it serves as an introduction to the discipline.

The course introduces students to the main themes of cultural anthropology: definition and theoretical approaches to studying culture; the field research method; cultural diversity; ethnocentrism and cultural relativism; social change; political and economic systems; religion, myth and ritual; and cultural creativity.

THE PROGRAM IS VALID FOR ATTENDING AND NONATTENDING STUDENTS

Required tests:
1. Fabietti, U. 2015, Elements of cultural anthropology, Mondadori, Milan.
PART I. GENESIS AND NATURE OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: 1. Origin and significance of anthropology; 2. Objects and methods of cultural anthropology; 3. The basic features of anthropological reasoning.
PART II. UNITY AND VARIETY OF THE HUMAN GENDER: 1. "Races," genes, languages and cultures, ONLY paragraph 1 "Apparently different but completely similar".
PART V. THE SELF AND THE OTHER: 1. Identities, bodies, "persons"; 2. Sex, gender, emotions; 3. Castes, classes, ethnicities.
PART VII. RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND RITUAL PRACTICE: 1. Concepts and cults; 2. Symbols and rituals; 3. Religions and identity in the globalised world.
PART VIII. CULTURAL CREATIVITY AND AESTHETIC EXPRESSION: 1. Cultural creativity; 2. Aesthetic expression; 3. "Tribal" art in the Western context.
PART IX. RESOURCES AND POWER: 1. Resource power and power resources; 2. Forms of economic life; 3. Forms of political life.

2. Five essays selected by the professor about the link between anthropology and the arts (will be uploaded to Moodle).


Important: This course is not valid for obtaining cfu in M-DEA/01 for the FIT competition.

Required tests:
1. Fabietti, U. 2015, Elements of cultural anthropology, Mondadori, Milan.
PART I. GENESIS AND NATURE OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY: 1. Origin and significance of anthropology; 2. Objects and methods of cultural anthropology; 3. The basic features of anthropological reasoning.
PART II. UNITY AND VARIETY OF THE HUMAN GENDER: 1. "Races," genes, languages and cultures.
PART V. THE SELF AND THE OTHER: 1. Identities, bodies, "persons"; 2. Sex, gender, emotions; 3. Castes, classes, ethnicities.
PART VII. RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE AND RITUAL PRACTICE: 1. Concepts and cults; 2. Symbols and rituals; 3. Religions and identity in the globalised world.
PART VIII. CULTURAL CREATIVITY AND AESTHETIC EXPRESSION: 1. Cultural creativity; 2. Aesthetic expression; 3. "Tribal" art in the Western context.
PART IX. RESOURCES AND POWER: 1. Resource power and power resources; 2. Forms of economic life; 3. Forms of political life.

2. Five essays selected by the professor about the link between anthropology and the arts (will be uploaded to Moodle).

Throughout the course, there will be ongoing interaction between the professor and students through in-class questions and discussions. At the end of the course, there will be an oral examination lasting approximately 20-40 minutes. The evaluation criteria include the student's ability to define and exemplify the main concepts of the texts, summarise the contents clearly and concisely, carry out comparisons and analyses of the texts, and relate the field of research. Additionally, students are expected to express their own opinions and interpretation of the texts.

LECTURES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE
The course includes the following components:
1. In-person lectures with the support of PowerPoint and audiovisual materials.
2. Classroom discussions of the five suggested texts via the Moodle platform.
3. Optional supplementary materials will be available on Moodle during the lectures for those who want to delve deeper.

Italian

Although attendance is not mandatory, we strongly recommend that students attend lectures. Please review the information provided on MOODLE and regularly check any personal notices from your lecturer. Students with special permits should inform the lecturer of their arrival in the classroom and contact the Disability Office well in advance. To arrange an appointment with the lecturer, please email at least one week prior.

At Ca' Foscari, we abide by Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) to provide support and accommodation services for students with disabilities or specific learning disorders. If you have a disability affecting your motor, visual, or hearing abilities or a particular learning condition, we are here to assist you. We offer classroom assistance, technological aids for exams, materials in accessible formats, note retrieval, specialised tutoring, interpreters, and other forms of support. To avail of these services, please get in touch with the Disability and DSA office at disabilita@unive.it.

oral

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