Unit Socio-cultural Anthropology
- Course
- Social work
- Study-unit Code
- 10990109
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Aurora Massa
- Teachers
-
- Aurora Massa
- Hours
- 63 ore - Aurora Massa
- CFU
- 9
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Base
- Area
- Discipline storico-antropologiche-filosofico-pedagogiche
- Sector
- M-DEA/01
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italiano
- Contents
- The course aims to provide students with a general understanding of the main theories and methodological approaches of cultural anthropology, and to promote the integration of an anthropological perspective into the professional practice of social work. In particular, the following topics will be addressed: • Culture, cultural diversity, cultural relativism • Identity, ethnicity, race and racism • Family and kinship • Gender • Body, embodiment, illness • Pure/impure, contamination, perception of risk • Migration processes. Special attention will also be given to the presentation and collective discussion of anthropological perspectives on the field of social services
- Reference texts
- REQUIRED READINGS:
- Engelke, Matthew, How to Think Like an Anthropologist, London, Pelican Books, 2018. - Bourgois, Philippe, In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio (2nd ed.), Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2003.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Students who cannot attend classes must prepare all the readings listed above and must contact the teacher for additional readings. - Educational objectives
- Through class participation and individual study, students will learn to apply the theoretical and methodological tools of anthropology to the world around them, with specific reference to the field of social work. The course will also support the deconstruction of the presumed natural character of concepts related to identity, culture, sex, the body, family, and kinship, recognizing their conventional, constructed, and cultural dimensions. By becoming familiar with the fundamental concepts, theoretical paradigms, and major research methodologies that have shaped anthropological debate, students will develop their ability to understand and navigate diversity in its many forms (cultural, social, gender-related, etc.) and to appreciate the perspectives of the various social groups they will encounter in their professional practice. This will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of complex and layered contexts and their social dynamics, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of their interventions. Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with peers and the instructor on the topics discussed, as well as to develop communication skills in both general and discipline-specific language and terminology. Students will be equipped with the conceptual tools necessary to develop independent judgments on the topics addressed, as well as self-critical and reflective abilities in relation to the relational and institutional structures of their daily lives—particularly within their future professional practice.
- Prerequisites
- None
- Teaching methods
- The course will be conducted primarily through lectures, supported by video and photographic materials. Experts in the field will be invited to present their research. Some sessions will be dedicated to group presentations and practical exercises.
- Learning verification modality
- The final assessment will consist of an oral examination, structured as an interview with open questions aimed at verifying students’ understanding and knowledge of the topics discussed during the course and covered in the required readings. In addition to the accuracy and completeness of the responses and the clarity of presentation, the evaluation will consider students’ ability to construct arguments, make connections, and use appropriate disciplinary terminology. The duration of the examination may vary depending on how the discussion develops. Students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) are encouraged to contact the instructor in advance to arrange appropriate accommodations and exemptions.
- Extended program
- The course aims to provide a general introduction to the disciplines of cultural and social anthropology (demo-ethno-anthropology), including their historical development, research methodologies, and theoretical frameworks, as well as their relationships with other human and social sciences. The core focus of the course is on how the study of cultural diversity has contributed to humanistic and social knowledge from the late 19th century to the present. The course is divided into two parts: The first part is dedicated to general cultural anthropology. The second part focuses on issues related to social and educational services in multicultural contexts. More specifically, the first part on general cultural anthropology is itself divided into two sections: The first section focuses on the foundations of the discipline, exploring key methods (such as ethnography and fieldwork), central concepts (including culture, race, and ethnicity), and core assumptions (ethnocentrism, relativism, holism). It will also examine the relationship between anthropology and other social and human sciences (such as sociology, history, and linguistics), and provide an overview of the history of anthropological studies from the late 19th century to contemporary schools of thought. The second section concentrates on contemporary anthropology, addressing major themes that are central to the discipline and essential for understanding many global dynamics. Topics include the diversity of kinship, economic, and political systems; religious pluralism; gender and generational relations; and cultural conceptions of health and illness. The second part of the course offers an introduction to the anthropological contribution to the analysis of local welfare services. The aim is to foster a critical approach to welfare policies and to facilitate the practical application of anthropological and ethnographic knowledge in social and educational work.
- Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
- 4, 5, 10