Cultural Anthropology

Semester 2 · 82010 · University course for initial training of secondary school teachers in the Italian language - 60CP · 1CP · IT

The course provides the basis for an anthropological understanding of the concepts of culture, cultural relativism, ethnocentrism and interculturality in order to approach cultural diversity by applying a decentralised view. The aim is to offer teachers the conceptual tools to foster in pupils: the ability to deal with differences, be they cultural, religious, linguistic and/or gender differences; to value the diversity of worldviews, forms of life and subjectivities. The course also offers critical reflection on educational approaches.

Lecturers: Marina Della Rocca

Teaching Hours: 6
Lab Hours: 0
Mandatory Attendance: In accordance with the regulation

Course Topics
- The notion of culture from an anthropological perspective - Definition of cultural relativism, ethnocentrism and interculturalism. - Social dynamics related to cultural and social diversity in complex societies.

Teaching format
Lecture with interaction and dialogue between students and between students and teacher.

Educational objectives
Understand and recognise the theoretical and methodological perspectives of anthropology relating to the concept of culture and identity processes in complex societies. Decentralise one's view of such complexity through the critical understanding of concepts such as cultural relativism and interculturality. To grasp and recognise the relevance of such concepts for approaching diversity as well as social inequalities in order to facilitate intercultural coexistence. Integrate into one's professional practice the contributions of the anthropological approach to interpret social ties and interactions and to apply the interpretative categories provided in teaching practice. Develop critical reflexivity with respect to the course topics. Knowledge and comprehension skills: - Knowledge of the theoretical-methodological problems related to the interpretation of intercultural relations in complex societies. - Knowledge of the categories used by anthropology, particularly with regard to cultural and social diversity and the dynamics of social inequality. Applied knowledge and understanding: - Ability to use the basic tools of anthropology to interpret social processes. Autonomy of judgement: - Ability to critically reflect on intercultural dynamics and social relations in complex societies. Communication skills: - Ability to use scientifically grounded vocabulary for the description of phenomena and socio-cultural categories inherent to the course content. Ability to learn: - Capacity for continuous learning through the practice of decentralisation in the anthropological perspective for the understanding of social phenomena.

Assessment
Final written test. The assessment programme covers all the course-specific learning objectives and the core bibliography, as instructed by the lecturer..

Evaluation criteria
A single final mark will be awarded based on the written test, taking the following assessment criteria into account in particular: - understanding of, and ability to analyse, the topics covered - the ability to reflect critically on the topics covered.

Required readings

Tassan, M. (2020). La diversità culturale del genere umano. In M. Tassan, Antropologia per insegnare. Diversità culturale e processi educativi (pp. 3-7). Zanichelli.

Tassan, M. (2020) La definizione di cultura di E.B. Tylor, in M. Tassan,2020, Antropologia per insegnare. Diversità culturale e processi educativi (pp. 12-13). Zanichelli.

Tassan M. (2020), Il concetto di cultura: una breve sintesi. In M. Tassan, Antropologia per insegnare. Diversità culturale e processi educativi (pp. 72-74). Zanichelli.

Tassan, M. (2020) Il concetto di educazione interculturale in M. Tassan Antropologia per insegnare. Diversità culturale e processi educativi (pp. 184-186). Zanichelli.

Biscaldi A. (2009). Le pratiche del relativismo culturale. In A. Biscaldo, Relativismo culturale. In difesa di un pensiero libero (pp. 105-127). UTET.

Remotti, Francesco (2018). Il concetto di cultura. In Allovio, Ciabarri, Mangiameli (a cura di), Antropologia culturale. I temi fondamentali. Raffaello Cortina editore, pp. 6-38.

Any changes to the bibliography will be communicated at the beginning of the lectures.

Supplementary readings

Benson, A. (2019). Migrant teachers and classroom encounters: Processes of intercultural learning. London Review of Education, 17 (1): 1–13.

Biscaldi A. (2009). Relativismo culturale. In difesa di un pensiero libero. UTET.

Tassan, M. (2020). Antropologia per insegnare. Diversità culturale e processi educativi. Zanichelli.

Zinn, Dorothy L., 2017. Migrant Incorporation in South Tyrol and Essentialized Local Identities. In Nation, Kinship and Identity among Migrants and Minorities, IMISCOE Research Series, Springer, pp. 93-114.

Ulteriori riferimenti bibliografici consigliati saranno forniti durante le lezioni.

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Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.