ETHNOGRAPHY

Course title: Elements of landscape ethnography.

Monographic course. The teaching is part of the fundamental teachings of the demo-ethno-anthropological disciplines. The course addresses in an advanced way a series of concepts of contemporary anthropology for the analysis of the physical and cultural components of space, both from the historical and ecological point of view, using the key notion of "landscape", in the multiple possible variants developed by social analysis ("landscape", "soundscape", "smellscape", "taskscape"). The course presents the main theoretical and methodological aspects for carrying out landscape ethnography research in constant dialogue with the arts, in particular with visual arts, literature and literary geography. The theoretical themes will be discussed in the context of Saami ethnography, Lappland, northern Scandinavia, but it will be highlighted that their general conceptual value makes them applicable in any other geographical-cultural context.

Knowledge of the epistemological framework of contemporary ethnography. Critical awareness of the problems and resources of corporeality in field research. Acquire and know how to develop essential theories and concepts in the contemporary debate on the anthropology of space and landscape. Know how to construct ethnographic analyzes by integrating sources in a multifactorial way with particular reference to historical sources (written and material), literary sources and the arts. Initiate a critical awareness of one's sensorial experiences during the field experience. Knowing how to effectively use the contributions of literary geography to the anthropological analysis of the landscape as a cultural asset. Acquire knowledge of the history and ethnography of Lapland (cultures, linguistic ramifications, socio-political transformations), with particular attention to the key moments of the colonization processes of the European Arctic.

Given the specialized nature of the teaching, it is essential to possess solid basic knowledge of cultural and social anthropology and the history of anthropology. Non-ACEL students, i.e. students enrolled in other Master's degree courses who have never taken any anthropological science exams, are asked to contact the teacher personally during office hours or during lessons.

Through the careful analysis of some moments and aspects of the cultural history of Lapland (northern Scandinavia), the course intends to describe the general thematic areas indicated below. The anthropological concept of landscape. Environments and ecosystems. The complexity of the notion of "place". Theories of practice and ecological-relational concepts of landscape. Narratives, senses of place, emotions and memory. Sensory experiences and narrative elaboration of field experience. Management of territorial spaces, borders, ethnicity and systems of power. Environmental risk. Ethnography and the arts. Anthropology of literature and ethnography of landscape.

Mandatory texts for all students:

- Ligi G., “Lapponia. Antropologia e storia di un paesaggio”, Milano, Unicopli, 2016.
- Ingold T., "Ecologia della cultura", Meltemi, 2001.
- Magris C., "Microcosmi", Garzanti, 1997.

An in-depth critical bibliography, not mandatory for the exam, but useful for exam preparation, will be provided during the lessons.
For a better exam outcome, regular attendance at lessons is strongly recommended.

It is possible to bring the program from the previous academic year. 2023-24 exclusively for the exam sessions of the current academic year 2024-25.

The exam is considered passed if in the oral presentation the evaluation is judged to be at least sufficient with respect to the following four basic criteria: 1. relevance of the contents with respect to the agreed topic (essay) and the questions asked (oral part); 2. ability to critically elaborate the concepts exposed; 3. clarity of presentation; 4. language skills. In particular, the gradation of scores, with respect to the evaluation of the 4 criteria indicated, is distributed as follows: scores in the 18-22 range sufficient; scores in the 23-26 range fair; scores in the 27-30 range good or excellent; praise is awarded if the exam according to the four criteria indicated is rated excellent.
Registration on the course Moodle is mandatory.

Lessons in Italian with analysis of texts and historical sources in Swedish, Norwegian, Samiska, Norse, with the use of Power Point.

Italian

In order to apply for Master's thesis in Social Anthropology SP, the following requirements are essential:

1. have passed the examination of Social Anthropology SP, with a positive outcome.
2. have passed the examination of Ethnography SP, with a positive outcome.
3. discussion of a short preliminary research project.
4. the degree thesis must be written in Italian.

Erasmus students are required to speak correctly in Italian. The exam for Erasmus students must be in Italian.

oral

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