Cultural Anthropology a.y. 2026-2027 – Corso di laurea magistrale in Scienze pedagogiche

CFU: 6
Course code: 8047765
SSD/GSD: SDEA-01/A, Discipline demoetnoantropologiche, ex M-DEA/01
Master’s Degree: Scienze pedagogiche
Language: Italian

Period: I semestre
Canale: Unico
Course delivery modalities: in-presence
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination, valutazione progetto

Pre-requisites:
No formal prerequisites are required, unless otherwise specified by the degree programme regulations or study plan. For a more effective participation in the course, introductory knowledge of cultural anthropology and a general familiarity with the vocabulary of the social sciences are useful. Any gaps may be addressed through the introductory materials included in the course pack and discussed during the first classes.

Pre-requisites:

No formal prerequisites are required, unless otherwise specified by the degree programme regulations or study plan. For a more effective participation in the course, introductory knowledge of cultural anthropology and a general familiarity with the vocabulary of the social sciences are useful. Any gaps may be addressed through the introductory materials included in the course pack and discussed during the first classes.

Program:
The course explores the biosocial foundations of human cultural life by bringing economic anthropology into dialogue with evolutionary perspectives. Starting from the analysis of the economic systems of so-called “primitive” societies and the historical transformations of capitalism, the course examines how exchange, gift and reciprocity are intertwined with the evolutionary dynamics of the species. Through a reflection on ritual, cumulative cultural learning and forms of cooperation, it proposes an integrated view of human beings as cultural animals shaped by both biology and social history. Indicative organisation of the course over 36 teaching hours: 1. Theoretical and terminological framework, 6 hours: cultural anthropology, nature and culture, the biosocial foundations of human life, and the specificity of the anthropological approach. 2. Economic anthropology and systems of exchange, 8 hours: the economies of so-called “primitive” societies, critique of economicism, historical transformations of capitalism, and the relation between economy and society. 3. Gift, reciprocity and social obligations, 6 hours: forms of gift-giving, obligation, social relation, and the cultural construction of value. 4. Cumulative cultural learning and cultural evolution, 6 hours: transmission, imitation, cooperation and the evolutionary success of the human species. 5. Ritual, imitation and cohesion, 6 hours: ritual as a device of transmission, belonging and social coordination. 6. Final synthesis and preparation for the exam, 4 hours: comparative discussion of the texts, preparation of the audio/video presentation, and clarification of assessment criteria. The syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students.

Program:

The course explores the biosocial foundations of human cultural life by bringing economic anthropology into dialogue with evolutionary perspectives. Starting from the analysis of the economic systems of so-called “primitive” societies and the historical transformations of capitalism, the course examines how exchange, gift and reciprocity are intertwined with the evolutionary dynamics of the species. Through a reflection on ritual, cumulative cultural learning and forms of cooperation, it proposes an integrated view of human beings as cultural animals shaped by both biology and social history.
Indicative organisation of the course over 36 teaching hours: 1. Theoretical and terminological framework, 6 hours: cultural anthropology, nature and culture, the biosocial foundations of human life, and the specificity of the anthropological approach. 2. Economic anthropology and systems of exchange, 8 hours: the economies of so-called “primitive” societies, critique of economicism, historical transformations of capitalism, and the relation between economy and society. 3. Gift, reciprocity and social obligations, 6 hours: forms of gift-giving, obligation, social relation, and the cultural construction of value. 4. Cumulative cultural learning and cultural evolution, 6 hours: transmission, imitation, cooperation and the evolutionary success of the human species. 5. Ritual, imitation and cohesion, 6 hours: ritual as a device of transmission, belonging and social coordination. 6. Final synthesis and preparation for the exam, 4 hours: comparative discussion of the texts, preparation of the audio/video presentation, and clarification of assessment criteria.
The syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students.

Text books:
Required readings: course pack with excerpts from the following texts, to be studied in full for the sections included in the course pack. Sahlins, Marshall. L’economia dell’età della pietra. Milano: Elèuthera, 2020. Polanyi, Karl. La grande trasformazione: le origini economiche e politiche della nostra epoca. Torino: Einaudi, 2010. Aria, Matteo, and Fabio Dei, eds. Culture del dono. Roma: Meltemi, 2008. Whitehouse, Harvey. L’animale rituale. Roma: Castelvecchi, 2025. Henrich, Joseph Patrick. The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016. The course pack is available from Universitalia, via di Passolombardo, Rome.

Text books:

Required readings: course pack with excerpts from the following texts, to be studied in full for the sections included in the course pack.
Sahlins, Marshall. L’economia dell’età della pietra. Milano: Elèuthera, 2020.
Polanyi, Karl. La grande trasformazione: le origini economiche e politiche della nostra epoca. Torino: Einaudi, 2010.
Aria, Matteo, and Fabio Dei, eds. Culture del dono. Roma: Meltemi, 2008.
Whitehouse, Harvey. L’animale rituale. Roma: Castelvecchi, 2025.
Henrich, Joseph Patrick. The Secret of Our Success: How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016.
The course pack is available from Universitalia, via di Passolombardo, Rome.

Bibliography:
No additional compulsory bibliography is required. The required readings constitute the reference bibliography for the exam.

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course aims to provide students enrolled in the MA programme in Pedagogical Sciences with advanced theoretical and comparative tools for understanding the biosocial foundations of human cultural life, with particular attention to the relations between economic anthropology, evolutionary perspectives, cultural learning, gift, reciprocity and ritual. In line with the learning objectives of the degree programme, the course contributes to the development of skills useful for analysing educational and social processes in culturally complex contexts, strengthening students’ critical understanding of cultural phenomena and of their relational, moral and institutional implications. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: By the end of the course, students will be expected to know the main concepts of cultural, economic and evolutionary anthropology discussed in class: culture as learned, shared and symbolically mediated knowledge; exchange, gift and reciprocity; historical transformations of capitalism; the coevolution of nature and culture; cumulative cultural learning; ritual, imitation and social cohesion. They will also be expected to understand the specific vocabulary of the discipline and the main differences between biological, historical, social and symbolic explanations of human behaviour. APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will be expected to apply the anthropological categories studied in the course to the analysis of social, educational and cultural cases, recognising how patterns of transmission, exchange, belonging and cooperation contribute to the formation of persons and groups. They will be expected to connect different texts, formulate anthropological problems and sustain arguments grounded in theoretical concepts and empirical evidence. MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The course aims to develop the ability to compare different interpretative hypotheses on cultural processes, distinguishing between biological reductionism, abstract culturalism and integrated perspectives. Students will be expected to assess the coherence, limits and scope of anthropological interpretations and to formulate independent judgements on social, educational and ethical issues related to cultural life. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be expected to present the contents of the course clearly, coherently and with appropriate disciplinary vocabulary. The required audio/video presentation and the subsequent oral discussion are also intended to assess the ability to summarise a problem, build an argument and communicate with both specialist and non-specialist audiences. LEARNING SKILLS: The course aims to strengthen students’ ability to read complex scientific texts, select relevant conceptual cores, relate different authors and perspectives, and continue studying anthropological topics autonomously, also with a view to further research, educational planning or professional training.

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course aims to provide students enrolled in the MA programme in Pedagogical Sciences with advanced theoretical and comparative tools for understanding the biosocial foundations of human cultural life, with particular attention to the relations between economic anthropology, evolutionary perspectives, cultural learning, gift, reciprocity and ritual. In line with the learning objectives of the degree programme, the course contributes to the development of skills useful for analysing educational and social processes in culturally complex contexts, strengthening students’ critical understanding of cultural phenomena and of their relational, moral and institutional implications.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: By the end of the course, students will be expected to know the main concepts of cultural, economic and evolutionary anthropology discussed in class: culture as learned, shared and symbolically mediated knowledge; exchange, gift and reciprocity; historical transformations of capitalism; the coevolution of nature and culture; cumulative cultural learning; ritual, imitation and social cohesion. They will also be expected to understand the specific vocabulary of the discipline and the main differences between biological, historical, social and symbolic explanations of human behaviour.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will be expected to apply the anthropological categories studied in the course to the analysis of social, educational and cultural cases, recognising how patterns of transmission, exchange, belonging and cooperation contribute to the formation of persons and groups. They will be expected to connect different texts, formulate anthropological problems and sustain arguments grounded in theoretical concepts and empirical evidence.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The course aims to develop the ability to compare different interpretative hypotheses on cultural processes, distinguishing between biological reductionism, abstract culturalism and integrated perspectives. Students will be expected to assess the coherence, limits and scope of anthropological interpretations and to formulate independent judgements on social, educational and ethical issues related to cultural life.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be expected to present the contents of the course clearly, coherently and with appropriate disciplinary vocabulary. The required audio/video presentation and the subsequent oral discussion are also intended to assess the ability to summarise a problem, build an argument and communicate with both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
LEARNING SKILLS: The course aims to strengthen students’ ability to read complex scientific texts, select relevant conceptual cores, relate different authors and perspectives, and continue studying anthropological topics autonomously, also with a view to further research, educational planning or professional training.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The final exam is graded on a thirty-point scale and consists of two parts: a 5-minute audio/video presentation prepared by the candidate on a topic, concept or text included in the syllabus; an oral examination of approximately 5 minutes on the course contents and required readings. The presentation accounts for 30% of the final grade; the oral examination accounts for 70%. No written examination is required. The assessment evaluates the student’s overall preparation, the ability to connect the different parts of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, command of anthropological vocabulary, analytical ability, independent judgement and clarity of presentation, in accordance with the Dublin descriptors: knowledge and understanding; applying knowledge; making judgements; communication skills; learning skills. Grading criteria: Failed: serious gaps or inaccuracies in knowledge, inability to connect the texts and topics of the course, incoherent argumentation and inappropriate vocabulary. 18-20: barely sufficient knowledge of the topics, partial understanding, simple and sometimes inaccurate connections, and a presentation that is not always orderly. 21-23: fair knowledge and adequate understanding of the main contents, correct but mainly descriptive analytical ability, and vocabulary that is not always technical. 24-26: good knowledge of the syllabus, ability to connect texts and concepts, coherent argumentation and generally appropriate vocabulary. 27-29: complete and well-organised knowledge, strong analytical and synthetic abilities, independent judgement and rigorous use of disciplinary vocabulary. 30-30 cum laude: excellent and in-depth knowledge, ability to critically integrate authors, concepts and cases, and original, clear and scientifically appropriate argumentation.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The final exam is graded on a thirty-point scale and consists of two parts: a 5-minute audio/video presentation prepared by the candidate on a topic, concept or text included in the syllabus; an oral examination of approximately 5 minutes on the course contents and required readings. The presentation accounts for 30% of the final grade; the oral examination accounts for 70%. No written examination is required.
The assessment evaluates the student’s overall preparation, the ability to connect the different parts of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, command of anthropological vocabulary, analytical ability, independent judgement and clarity of presentation, in accordance with the Dublin descriptors: knowledge and understanding; applying knowledge; making judgements; communication skills; learning skills.
Grading criteria: Failed: serious gaps or inaccuracies in knowledge, inability to connect the texts and topics of the course, incoherent argumentation and inappropriate vocabulary. 18-20: barely sufficient knowledge of the topics, partial understanding, simple and sometimes inaccurate connections, and a presentation that is not always orderly. 21-23: fair knowledge and adequate understanding of the main contents, correct but mainly descriptive analytical ability, and vocabulary that is not always technical. 24-26: good knowledge of the syllabus, ability to connect texts and concepts, coherent argumentation and generally appropriate vocabulary. 27-29: complete and well-organised knowledge, strong analytical and synthetic abilities, independent judgement and rigorous use of disciplinary vocabulary. 30-30 cum laude: excellent and in-depth knowledge, ability to critically integrate authors, concepts and cases, and original, clear and scientifically appropriate argumentation.

Attendance modalities:
Classes are held in person. Teaching combines lectures, guided analysis of texts, collective discussion of concepts and cases, moments of comparative synthesis, and preparation of the audio/video presentation required for the exam. Recordings of the classes, made available asynchronously without live streaming, are an additional teaching support and allow students who cannot attend regularly to follow the same syllabus. The teaching methods are consistent with the learning objectives: lectures support the acquisition of basic knowledge; discussion and comparison between texts develop application skills, independent judgement and communication skills; the final presentation encourages synthesis, selection of contents and argumentative organisation. Attendance is optional but strongly recommended. The exam syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students. Students who cannot attend in person are expected to make up the contents through the asynchronously available recordings and to study all required readings and the materials included in the course pack.

Attendance modalities:

Classes are held in person. Teaching combines lectures, guided analysis of texts, collective discussion of concepts and cases, moments of comparative synthesis, and preparation of the audio/video presentation required for the exam. Recordings of the classes, made available asynchronously without live streaming, are an additional teaching support and allow students who cannot attend regularly to follow the same syllabus. The teaching methods are consistent with the learning objectives: lectures support the acquisition of basic knowledge; discussion and comparison between texts develop application skills, independent judgement and communication skills; the final presentation encourages synthesis, selection of contents and argumentative organisation.
Attendance is optional but strongly recommended. The exam syllabus is the same for attending and non-attending students. Students who cannot attend in person are expected to make up the contents through the asynchronously available recordings and to study all required readings and the materials included in the course pack.