B8012 - ANTROPOLOGIA URBANA (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student masters the main lines of the history of urban anthropology, thanks to a critical knowledge of anthropological paradigms aimed at studying social relations in urban contexts. He/she has acquired the methodological tools used in ethnographic research in urban contexts and masters the main anthropological theories of this field of study. He/she has developed a critical knowledge of urban transformation processes with reference to political and economic changes and migration phenomena. He/she has developed a good understanding of the phenomena underlying urban marginality.In oral communication he/she has acquired a good ability to read and critically understand the basic bibliography relating to the topics addressed in the course and is able to use the technical terminology of the discipline.

Course contents

Cities are at the center of major social, economic, and cultural transformations in the contemporary world. Through the lens of urban anthropology, the course analyzes the city as a space of inequality, conflict, everyday practices, and processes of change. After an introduction to the birth of urban anthropology and the contributions of the Chicago and Manchester Schools (Hannerz), the course will explore the relationship between marginalization, social exclusion, and crime through ethnographies of US urban contexts (Bourgois). The effects of global tourism on cities and local communities will then be examined, with particular attention to the processes of transformation of urban space and its progressive commodification (d'Eramo). Finally, through an ethnography dedicated to Bologna (Scandurra), students will have the opportunity to engage with a case study relevant to their own experience, connecting key theoretical concepts to the transformations of a contemporary city.

Readings/Bibliography

Students will have to study two texts according to the instructions below.

Mandatory text:

Hannerz, U. 2001. Esplorare la città. Antropologia della vita urbana. Il Mulino.

 

A text of your choice between:

Bourgois P. 2005. Cercando rispetto. Drug economy e cultura distrada. Derive Approdi (il testo è fuori catalogo ed reperibile nelle biblioteche, vd. https://opac.sbn.it/).

Bourgois P., Schonberg J. 2011. Reietti e fuorilegge. Antropologia della violenza nella metropoli americana. Derive Approdi (il testo è fuori catalogo ed reperibile nelle biblioteche, vd. https://opac.sbn.it/).

D'Eramo M. 2022. Il selfie del mondo: Indagine sull'età del turismo da Mark Twain al Covid-19. Feltrinelli.

Scandurra G. 2017. Bologna che cambia. Quattro studi etnografici su una citta. Edizioni junior.

Teaching methods

Lectures will be delivered frontal, and audiovisual materials will occasionally be used to further illustrate the topics covered. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions on the issues addressed in the course.

Assessment methods

The exam is a written exam, with periodic exam sessions throughout the year. To take the exam, students must register on the ALMAESAMI portal and verify that they have passed all the tests. To ensure proper administration and schedule of individual exams, registration closes three days before the exam date.

In the written exam, students must demonstrate their understanding of the central theses, theoretical framework, and methodological framework of the books studied. They must also demonstrate their ability to place the texts within their respective anthropological debates. To pass the exam, students must study the books and not simply consult summaries or notes available online.

The written exam consists of two questions, one on Hannerz's book and the other on the text chosen from the program. The exam will be held in the computer labs, and students will have an hour and a half to answer the two questions.

Students with specific learning needs are encouraged to contact their instructor to determine the most appropriate assessment method for their needs.

For information on exam dates and to register for them, please refer to the Almaesami program at the following URL [http://www.unibo.it/Portale/Guida/AlmaEsami.htm].

The exam procedures are the same for both attending and non-attending students.

The date of each exam will be published at least one month in advance on Almaesami.

NOTE on the use of generative Artificial Intelligence
AI can be a useful tool to support individual study with in-depth analysis, summaries, and self-assessment. Regarding learning assessment, the use of AI and any device connected to the internet is prohibited during the exam. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Audiovisual materials will be used to explore some of the course's topics.

Attending students are asked to subscribe to the following mailing list (Distribution List "Teachers-Students"), through which they can receive supplementary material for lectures and any urgent communications regarding changes to the timetable or location of lectures:

luca.jourdan.antropologiaurbana

To subscribe: go to https://www.dsa.unibo.it/default.aspx

Go to SDA, log in, and search for "Teachers-Students Lists" in the left-hand menu, then type luca.jourdan.antropologiasociale and subscribe.

Inclusiveness, Adaptations, and Reasonable Accommodation
Students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti ). It will be the student's responsibility to propose any adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted to the instructor for approval 15 days before the exam date, who will evaluate their appropriateness also in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Jourdan