Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology

ALESSANDRO LUPO

The course provides the student with knowledge and understanding of the theoretical, methodological and applied aspects of the Discipline; proposes areal and thematic perspectives in which ethnographic research projects can be developed; shows the variability of the social fields to which the disciplinary skills apply (descriptor 1);

- develops the student's autonomous ability to combine ethnographic research methodologies with those of other SSDs: historical, cultural heritage, economic, political, historical-religious, etc. (descriptor 2);

- enables the student to use the acquired knowledge and specific language learned in view of the so-called “transversal skills” (autonomy of judgment, communication skills, descriptors 3-5).ills (Descriptors 3–5).

The course aims to provide students with advanced training in ethnographic survey planning, the use of useful research methodologies, and the analysis of ethnographic materials, both in relation to the theoretical framework of the discipline and with regard to possible applications in the social uses of anthropology, in Italy and abroad. At the end of the course, students should be able to identify the main critical issues of the topics they intend to examine, correctly set up a research project, and effectively carry out the ethnographic fielwork.

Advanced skills in critically understanding academic texts written in English. Basic knowledge of anthropology, history and geography.

Fieldwork is the fundamental tool in the production of cultural and social anthropological knowledge: through the prolonged immersion of the observer in the context of investigation and more or less structured dialogue with native interlocutors, it allows for the collection of ethnographic material, the documentation of concepts, social practices, and tangible and intangible products, the development of analyses and explanatory hypotheses, and ultimately the production of scientific texts. However, the extreme variability of observable contexts and practices, combined with the subjectivity of both observers and observed subjects and the plurality of theoretical perspectives that can be adopted in the investigation, make it very difficult to propose standardized methodologies that are universally applicable to the ethnographic field, leaving a wide margin of discretion to the choices of each researcher. Through a critical examination of a representative sample of the literature on the subject, we will examine the problems, obstacles, and risks inherent in the research, the goals that inspire it, and the options that can be adopted to achieve the objectives pursued. In addition, ethical issues and legal implications underlying the construction of ethnographic data and the processes of returning and sharing knowledge with the source communities will be addressed. In the final part, the skills acquired will be put into practice through exercises aimed at providing mastery of the investigation methods studied.

1) The handbook: Okely, Judith 2020 (2012) Anthropological practice. Fieldwork and the ethnographic mehod. London: Routledge.
2) A handout of articles in PDF format that will be provided by the teacher
3) One book of your choice from the following:

The course includes lectures, seminars, the use of audiovisual materials, and practical exercises for applying the methodologies illustrated in class. The teaching program implies that the single topics will be examined through the reference texts.

Attendance, while not mandatory, is strongly recommended (especially for the practical part). The program does not change for non-attending students.

The exam will consist of a two-hour written test with open-ended questions, some of which are mandatory and some optional. Part of the assessment will consist of practical exercises on topics covered in the program.

Explain the main precautions to take when conducting an ethnographic interview.