98918 - Anthropology of African Art (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have mastered the theoretical and methodological approaches that characterise the disciplinary field; they will be able to use the appropriate tools for the study of African art processes from an anthropological perspective, both in their contexts of production and in their trajectories and intertwining with global perspectives; they will acquire awareness of how the study of art can be an effective tool for analysing further aspects of social reality such as the political, social, economic and identity dimensions.

Course contents

Start of classes: November 3, 2026

Schedule:

Thuesday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Aula 1, Via Zamboni, 33

Wednesday, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Aula 1, Via Zamboni, 33

Thursday, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Aula V, Via Zamboni, 33

This course provides an introductory overview of key aspects of African visual art, from the late 20th century to contemporary movements, with particular attention to its relationship with the global art market and international art discourses. Through the analysis of specific ethnographic case studies, students will explore the role that artistic expressions from various African regions have played in society, from the colonial era to the postcolonial and contemporary periods.

Using readings, films, and visual materials, the course explores the "cultural biography" of both tangible and intangible heritage from West African contexts, analyzing how this heritage may be intentionally destroyed, transformed, renewed, or circulate from its site of production to global arenas.

The anthropological study of art offers one of many ways to investigate themes related to history, production techniques, territorial politics, legal issues, social organization, and religious beliefs. As such, the anthropology of art is deeply embedded in broader sociocultural processes.

Week 1 – What Is “African Art”? History, Classification, and Critiques of a Cultural Category

Week 2 – Anthropology of Art: Objects, techniques, beliefs, social organization, and anthropological interpretations of artistic practices.

Week 3 – Art, Colonialism, and Postcolonial Processes: Artistic production, cultural identities, and social transformations in twentieth- and twenty-first-century Africa.

Week 4 – African Cultural Heritage: Memory, conservation, destruction, transformation, and renewal of tangible and intangible heritage.

Week 5 – African Art and Global Circulation: Art markets, museums, collecting practices, restitution debates, and processes of cultural globalization.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending and non-attending students – 3 required readings:

1. Leiris M. (2020) L'Africa Fantasma, Roma: Quodilibet or, alternatively: Lévi-Strauss C. (2016), La via delle maschere, Roma: Il Saggiatore.
2. Fabian, J. (2021), Il tempo e gli altri, Roma: Meltemi.
3. Dispense a cura della docente, disponibili nella sezione “Risorse” della piattaforma Virtuale (Introduzione).

Suggested readings (optional)
Students are encouraged to consult articles published in the journal African Arts, available through the JSTOR platform. The journal offers a wide selection of studies and research on African art across various historical, social, and geographical contexts within the continent.

The following readings are also recommended (not mandatory):

Amselle, J.-L. (2001), Connessioni. Antropologia dell’universalità delle culture, Torino: Bollati Boringhieri.

Bargna I. (2008) L'arte in Africa, Jaca Book.

Nooter Roberts. M. e Vogel S. (1994) Exhibition-ism: Museums and African Art, Museum for African Art.

Price S. (2015) I primitivi traditi, Johan & Levi.

Teaching methods

Various teaching methods will be adopted in order to address the range of learning needs and the diverse expectations of students attending the course. The course will be structured in a seminar format and will include readings, museum visits, and film screenings. Active student participation is required, particularly in the discussion of selected parts of the texts assigned for the exam.

Assessment methods

A student is considered an attending student if they participate in at least 75% of the classes.

Based on the assigned bibliography, the theoretical lectures, and the contributions that emerge through participatory and seminar-style activities, the student will take an individual oral exam to assess their learning. The evaluation will take into account the student’s consistent engagement throughout all phases of the course. Active participation in class will also be considered and will contribute to the final grade.

The following aspects will be specifically evaluated:

– theoretical and methodological understanding of the core concepts delivered through participatory and/or lecture-based formats;
– acquisition of the theoretical content included in the assigned bibliography;
– development of critical thinking and the ability to observe, describe, and analyze the topics discussed;
– achievement of an integrated understanding of the themes addressed in class, along with their application and critical interpretation.

Expressive proficiency and the appropriate use of disciplinary terminology will be rewarded with the highest marks. Oral examinations will take place during the official examination sessions scheduled at the end of the course. No fewer than six examination sessions will be offered during the academic year, in accordance with the University’s official academic calendar.

The examination is designed to assess both students’ knowledge of the specific topics covered in the course and their ability to critically engage with the themes and readings discussed in class. Overall, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to communicate the knowledge they have acquired using clear and appropriate academic language.

To pass the examination, students must obtain a minimum grade of 18/30. To achieve the highest mark (30/30 cum laude), students must demonstrate an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered and the ability to connect them in a logical, critical, and coherent manner.

For attending students, assessment will also include a group project to be presented in seminar form during the final weeks of the course. Each group will be assigned an ethnographic case study to analyze in light of the methodological approaches discussed in class.

For non-attending students, no supplementary activities are предусмотрены. Since they do not participate in lectures and course activities, preparation of the required reading list will require a greater degree of independent study and will therefore constitute the sole form of assessment.

Important: No specific prior knowledge is required. However, some familiarity with socio-cultural anthropology and basic anthropological terminology is desirable.

 

Teaching tools

Attending students, from October 2026, are kindly invited to subscribe to the following mailing list in order to receive information about possible variations in lecture timetable and rooms:

roberta.bonetti3.antropologiadellarte

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Bonetti