The aim of the course is to provide the fundamental methodological and epistemological tools of cultural anthropology. To achieve this, some of the discipline's main concepts such as culture, identity and practices will be addressed. Between the social sciences and philosophy, these concepts become privileged lenses for understanding and problematising our present and the issues at stake in it.
At the end of the seminar, the student will have learnt the epistemological and methodological foundations of cultural anthropology.
A basic knowledge of the history of philosophy. In particular, students are required to be familiar with the following philosophers: Plato, Montaigne, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Wittgenstein, Foucault, and Deleuze.
Recommended handbook: Nicola Abbagnano, Storia della filosofia, 4 volumes, Turin, UTET.
Lectures and participation in seminars dedicated to specific topics.
Evaluation is done in the form of thirtieths.
Modalities for attending students:
The exam will be structured as follows:
The exam will last 3h.
In order to pass the exam (18/30) it is required to answer all the questions on the manual correctly, at least 2 out of 4 questions on the monographic section, and demonstrate a good mastery of technical vocabulary and the Italian language.
For the purposes of the final exam, students may also agree alternative modalities with the professor (essay or ethnographic workshop, related to class' topics).
A good knowledge of the cultural anthropology textbook will be required in preparation of the essay and of ethnographic workshop. In the case of ethnographic workshop, students must previously discuss a topic of investigation and a references with the professor. The ethnographic workshop involves fieldwork lasting no less than 1 month. The text produced, both from the essay and the ethnographic fieldwork, must be sent in 10 days before the final exam.
Modalities for non-attending students:
Non-attending students can only take the written exam.
The exam will be structured as follows :
The exam will last 3h.
In order to pass the exam (18/30) it is required to answer all the questions on the manual correctly, at least 2 out of 4 questions on the monographic section, and demonstrate a good mastery of technical vocabulary and the Italian language.
The course will focus on mental health from an anthropological perspective. We will discuss the historicity of diagnostic categories, intercultural comparisons with regard to the psychiatric paradigm, and the functions performed by psychiatric knowledge within contemporary societies. The notion of ‘trauma’ will be a subject of particular interest.
Students are asked to purchase Didier Fassin & Richard Rechtman "L'impero del trauma. Nascita della condizione di vittima", and bring them to class.
