Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società

Basic training in cultural anthropology

In line with the educational goals of the Master in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology, aimed at  providing a basic preparation in the anthropological discipline and its main thematic fields, this course offers, in the first part, an introductory overview of Political  Anthropology by illustrating its theoretical foundations and their historical development.

The second part of the course will be dedicated to examining several ethnographic Overseas cases with the aim of analyzing themes such as: mobility, intercultural coexistence, environment and forms of relative autonomy.

The course aims at providing advanced and specific knowledge of main authors, concepts and debates within Political Anthropology. It intends to enhance the students' ability to learn about this specific field and its specific lexicon, by analyzing ethnographic cases presented in class and implementing meaningful connection between them.

The course will be carried out in presence at the Campus, compatibly with the evolution of the epidemic.  If circumstances don't allow it, the course will be held remotely, simultaneously, on the platforms made available by the University. The course is divided into a first theoretical part; and in a second thematic and ethnographic part (with seminar lessons that will involve students in the presentation of short reports). Those who could not attend class (in presence or at distance) will be given alternative materials and learning tools.

Students will sit an oral exam aiming to assess the acquired basic notions in Political anthropology, their ability to apply such notions to specific cases, and to critically discuss a selected topic. Questions will address both notions acquired while attending the course, and the texts each student selects upon previous agreement with the teacher. The answers will be evaluated according to the following criteria: a) Appropriateness and richness of the contents; b) Clarity of expression and sector-based vocabulary; c) Critical-analytical capacity and ability to give examples.

Students who do not or cannot attend class will present an oral exposition of the texts specifically listed for "non - attending students". Non-native speakers can give  their answers in French or in English on a selection of agreed texts.

The course will provide students with an overview of authors and theories that have characterized the political anthropology and more generally the anthropological study of power. It will be in particular analyzed the relationship culture/power/creativity and some recent contributions concerning the anthropological debate on the State. 

In the second part, ethnographic cases from European overseas islands and territories will be examined (Oceania, Indian Ocean, Caribbean). What new forms of sovereignty have emerged recently? What contribution can give the study of EU overseas territories and islands to the themes of pluralism and coexistence in continental Europe? What contribution to rethinking the role of the State in contemporary society?

Texts for students attending the course

1. A. Favole (a cura di), L'Europa d'Oltremare, Cortina, Milano, 2020

2. Lecture notes analyzed in class consisting of essays and articles introducing and framing political anthropology.

Texts for students non attending the course

1. A. Favole (a cura di), L'Europa d'Oltremare, Cortina, Milano, 2020.
2. J. Scott, Lo sguardo dello Stato, Eleuthèra, 2019.
3. Introductory materials to political anthropology that will be made available on the course website.

International and Erasmus students may prepare for examinations and take them in French and English.