28230 - Theories and History of Anthropology (LM)

Course contents

Title: the anthropology of war

The course is divided into 2 parts (A, B):

A) We will focus on the anthropology of war. Starting from classic authors, we will consider the theoretical frameworks elaborated by anthropologist in the study of war in different societies.

For the exam, students will have to choose 2 books among:

Chagnon N., Yanomamo, The Fierce People, qualsiasi edizione (n.b. il titolo dell'ultima edizione del 1997 e' semplicemente Yanomamo).

Clastres, P., La societ à contro lo stato , Verona, Ombre Corte 2003.

Dei F. (a cura di), Antropologia della violenza, Roma, Meltemi 2005.

M'Bokolo E., Amselle J-L., L'invenzione dell'etnia, Roma, Meletemi 2008.

 

B) We will focus on the anthropology of contemporary African conflicts, especially on  the impact of violence on culture and social fabric. The war in the Democratic Rpublic of Congo will be at the core of our analysis, particularly the relationship between youth/children and war.  

  For the exam, students will have to study 2 books:

1)       Jourdan, L., Generazione Kalashnikov. Un antropologo dentro la guerra in Congo, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2010 (available from April).

2)       Choose one book among:

BayartJ.-F., Ellis S., Hibou B., The Criminalization of the State in Africa, Oxford, James Currey for the International African Institute 1998.

Beherend H., Alice Lakwena & the Holy Spirits: War in Northern Uganda 1986-97,  Oxford, James Currey 1999. 

Chabal P., Daloz J.-P., African Works. Disorder as Political Instrument,  Oxford, James Currey for the International African Institute 1998.

Duffield M., Guerre Postmoderne. L'aiuto umanitario come tecnica politica di controllo, Bologna, Il Ponte 2004.

Ellis, S., The Mask of Anarchy: The Destruction of Liberia and the Religious Dimensions of an African Civil War, New York, New York University Press 1999. 

Fusaschi M. (a cura di), Rwanda. Etnografie del post-genocidio, Roma, Meltemi 2009.

Gourevitch, P., Desideriamo informarla che domani verremo uccisi con le nostre famiglie: Storie dal Ruanda, Torino, Einaudi, 2000.

Hatzfeld, J., A colpi di machete. La parola agli esecutori del genocidio in Ruanda, Milano, Bompiani 2004. 

Lan, D., Guns and Rain: Guerrillas and Spirit Mediums in Zimbabwe, Oxford, James Currey 1985.

Richards, P., Fighting for the Rain Forest: War, Youth and Resources in Sierra Leone, Oxford, James Currey 1996.

Trefon, T. (a cura di), Ordre et désordre à Kinshasa. Réponses populaires à la faillite de l'Etat, «Cahiers Africains», n. 61-62, 2004.

Uvin, P, Aiding Violence. The development enterprise in Rwanda, West Hartford, Kumarian Press, 1998.

 

 

Students with 12 cfu exam will have to prepare themselves on both parts (A, B). Students with 6 cfu exam will have to prepare themselves only on part B. 

​Part A will begin: 03/02/10 (Wednesday h. 9-11 room D via Zamboni 34; Thursday and Friday h. 9-11 room 7 via Zamboni 38).

Part B will begin: 10/03/2010 (Wednesday h. 9-11 room D via Zamboni 34; Thursday and Friday h. 9-11 room 7 via Zamboni 38).

Please, check this website regularly.

 

Office hours

See the website of Luca Jourdan