27280 - Seminars (1) (G.D)

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the seminar (an activity closely related to the learning objectives of the degree programme), students will have acquired specialised knowledge and methodological competencies to critically engage with key themes and methodological issues in anthropology.

Course contents

Signifying Bodies: The “Grammar of the Body” between History, Culture, Religion, and Society

The seminar explores the body as both a social construct and a historical and cultural product, shaped by processes of social negotiation, symbolic elaboration, and historical transformation. The topic will be examined through three interconnected analytical perspectives: memory, identity, and culture.

By approaching the body as a historical construct, the seminar will investigate its social functions, considering corporeality as a highly significant semiotic medium (Barthes, Greimas, Eco) at the centre of complex processes of identity formation—both individual and collective—and of the transmission of historical and cultural memory (Foucault, Bourdieu, Butler). Particular attention will be devoted to the role of the body in ritual and performative contexts, where bodily practices contribute to the construction of the social self, as well as to changing perceptions of the body across different historical periods and cultural settings, from Classical Antiquity to the modern era.

 

Course Structure

Week 1
Theories of the Body between the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries: From the “Organic Body” to the “Post-organic Body”

Week 2
The Semantics of Space and Body Language: The Body as Limen in Edward T. Hall’s Theory of Proxemics

Week 3
Body, Culture, and Society: Processes of Self-definition and the Anthropopoietic Perspective on the Body as a Sign

Week 4
Body, Memory, and Identity: Ritualised Bodies and the Body as a Medium in Rites of Passage and Status Transitions

Week 5
Body, Discipline, and Authority: Institutionalised Bodies and the Use of the Body in Religious and Social Practices

Assessment

At the end of the seminar, students will submit a short research paper of 15,000–20,000 characters (including spaces), corresponding to approximately 5–7 A4 pages in Microsoft Word format. The paper should be written in Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, with 2.5 cm margins, and include footnotes (Times New Roman, 10 pt) and a final bibliography. The first page should include the title of the paper, the student's name, and student identification number.

The paper should focus either on one of the seminar sessions attended—offering a critical discussion of its content supported by independent research and personal reflections—or on one of the broader themes or methodological issues addressed during the course.

Students will discuss their papers during the final oral examination, which will provide an opportunity to assess more comprehensively the knowledge and critical understanding acquired throughout the seminar.

 

Teaching Period

Fourth Teaching Term: 31 March 2027 – 7 May 2027

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended Reading

To support the critical exploration of the topics addressed during the seminar, students are encouraged to consult a selection of scholarly articles and thematic monographs. The recommended bibliography is intended to provide a theoretical and methodological framework for the preparation of the final written assignment, which should focus on one or more aspects of the body and embodiment, freely chosen by students in relation to the themes discussed and the methodological issues raised during the seminar.

Recommended Bibliography

• V. Bochicchio (ed.), Dal corpo al simbolo. Ermeneutiche della corporeità (Cultura, Scienza e Società – Sezione di studi filosofici diretta da Raffaele Bruno), with a Preface by Fabrizio Lomonaco and an Introduction by Eugenio Mazzarella, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2011, pp. 17–42.
• F. Borel, Le vêtement incarné: les métamorphoses du corps, Calmann-Lévy, Paris, 1992.
• P. Borgna, Sociologia del corpo, Laterza, Rome–Bari, 2005.
• S. Botta, "Lo sciamanesimo come 'tecnica del corpo': appunti per la ricostruzione di una categoria analitica nello studio scientifico delle religioni", in S. Crippa (ed.), Corpi e saperi. Riflessioni sulla trasmissione della conoscenza, Pendragon, Venice, 2019, pp. 155–181.
• P. Bourdieu, "Les rites comme actes d’institution", Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, 43(1), 1982, pp. 58–63.
• P. Bourdieu, "Remarques provisoires sur la perception sociale du corps", Actes de la recherche en sciences sociales, 14(1), 1977, pp. 51–54.
• P. Bourdieu, "Sur le pouvoir symbolique", Annales. Économies, Sociétés, Civilisations, 32(3), 1977, pp. 405–411.
• C. Capello, "Anthropopoiesis, Embodiment, and Religious Ritual in Morocco: Towards a New Theoretical Approach", Journal of Mediterranean Studies, 20(1), 2011, pp. 163–177.
• M. Combi, Corpo e tecnologie. Simbolismi, rappresentazioni e immaginari, Meltemi, Rome, 2000.
• J. Fontanille, Soma et Séma: Figures du corps, Maisonneuve & Larose, Paris, 2004.
• M. Foucault, La volonté de savoir. Histoire de la sexualité, vol. I, Gallimard, Paris, 1976 (Italian translation available).
• M. Foucault, Surveiller et punir. Naissance de la prison, Gallimard, Paris, 1975 (Italian translation available).
• M. Foucault, Naissance de la clinique: une archéologie du regard médical, PUF, Paris, 1963 (Italian translation available).
• E. L. Galak, "La configurazione di una grammatica del corporale. Il visibile, l’invisibile e il non visibile come fondamento delle immagini e dei corpi in movimento", Rivista di Storia dell’Educazione, 9(2), 2022, pp. 87–95.
• E. L. Galak, "Corpo, modernità, immagine e movimento. La formazione della percezione estetica e politica del corporeo", in A. Donato, L. Tonelli, E. Galak (eds.), Le pieghe del corpo, Mimesis, Milan, 2019, pp. 33–52.
• V. Gasparini, "Risonanza somatica, ovvero il corpo rituale come strategia di ottimizzazione del potere divino...", in E. Mariotti, A. Salvi, J. Tabolli (eds.), Dentro la vasca sacra. Rapporto preliminare di scavo al Bagno Grande di San Casciano dei Bagni, Sillabe, Livorno, 2023, pp. 385–394.
• J. Gil, s.v. "Corpo", in Enciclopedia Einaudi, vol. 3, Einaudi, Turin, 1978, pp. 1096–1162.
• M. Glavac, A.-K. Höpflinger, D. Pezzoli-Olgiati (eds.), Second Skin. Körper, Kleidung, Religion, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen, 2013.
• E. T. Hall, The Silent Language, Fawcett, New York, 1966 (Italian translation available).
• E. T. Hall, The Hidden Dimension, Doubleday, New York, 1966 (Italian translation available).
• A.-K. Höpflinger, S. Knauss, A. D. Ornella (eds.), Commun(icat)ing the Body. The Body as Medium in Religious Communication Systems, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen, 2014.
• T. Macrì, Il corpo postorganico, Costa & Nolan, Genoa, 1996.
• W. Montanari, "Il corpo trasfigurato: Trance, pratiche simboliche e mondi in contatto nello sciamanesimo siberiano", in S. Botta, M. Ferrara (eds.), Corpi sciamanici. La nozione di persona nello studio dello sciamanesimo, Edizioni Nuova Cultura, Rome, 2015, pp. 65–88.
• G. Mura, R. Cipriani (eds.), Corpo e religione, Città Nuova, Rome, 2009.
• I. Quaranta, "Le traiettorie teoriche del corpo fra ordine e disordine sociale", DADA. Rivista di Antropologia post-globale, 2, 2018, pp. 7–22.
• F. Remotti, Cultura sul corpo, Laterza, Bari, 2015.
• F. Remotti, "Interventi estetici sul corpo", in F. Affergan et al. (eds.), Figure dell’umano. Le rappresentazioni dell’antropologia, Meltemi, Rome, 2005, pp. 335–369.
• F. Remotti, Luoghi e corpi. Antropologia dello spazio, del tempo e del potere, Bollati Boringhieri, Turin, 1993.
• N. Scheper-Hughes, "Embodied Knowledge: Thinking with the Body in Critical Medical Anthropology", in R. Borofsky (ed.), Assessing Cultural Anthropology, McGraw-Hill, Columbus–New York–Chicago, 1994, pp. 229–242.

Important Information for Non-Attending Students

Although attendance is strongly recommended, students may choose to complete the assessment as non-attending students.

In this case, students are required to select one monograph (articles are not accepted) from the list of recommended readings and prepare a written critical review (critical book review).

Students may choose one of the following volumes:

• V. Bochicchio (a cura di), Dal corpo al simbolo. Ermeneutiche della corporeità, Presentazione di Fabrizio Lomonaco, Introduzione di Eugenio Mazzarella, Franco Angeli, Milano 2011 (tutto il volume).
• F. Borel, Le vêtement incarné: les métamorphoses du corps, Calmann-Lévy, Paris 1992.
• P. Borgna, Sociologia del corpo, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
• M. Combi, Corpo e tecnologie. Simbolismi, rappresentazioni e immaginari, Meltemi, Roma 2000.
• J. Fontanille, Soma et Séma: Figures du corps, Maisonneuve et Larose, Paris 2004.
• M. Foucault, La volonté de savoir. Histoire de la sexualité, I, Gallimard, Paris 1976 [anche in edizione italiana].
• M. Foucault, Surveiller et punir. Naissance de la prison, Gallimard, Paris 1975 [anche in edizione italiana].
• M. Foucault, Naissance de la Clinique: une archéologie du regard médical, PUF, Paris 1963 [anche in edizione italiana].
• E.T. Hall, The Silent Language, Fawcett, New York 1966 [anche in edizione italiana].
• E.T. Hall, The Hidden Dimension, Doubleday, New York 1966 [anche in edizione italiana].
• A.-K. Höpflinger, S. Knauss, A.D. Ornella (eds.), Commun(icat)ing the Body. The Body As Medium in Religious Communication Systems, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, Göttingen 2014.
• T. Macrì, Il corpo postorganico, Costa & Nolan, Genova 1996.
• G. Mura, R. Cipriani (a cura di), Corpo e religione, Città Nuova Editrice, Roma 2009.
• F. Remotti, Cultura sul corpo, Gius.Laterza & Figli Spa., Bari 2015.
• F. Remotti, Luoghi e corpi. Antropologia dello spazio, del tempo e del potere, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 1993.

 

Guidelines for Preparing the Critical Book Review

A critical review of a scholarly work (book or academic article) is an analytical document that goes beyond a simple summary. It is typically structured as follows: bibliographical information; contextualization (author and historical/intellectual context); a reasoned and well-argued presentation of the content; methodological analysis; and a personal critical evaluation. It requires a careful reading of the work, with notes on key arguments, themes, and relevant quotations to support the analysis.

It should be structured as follows:

1. Bibliographic Information
   • Title
   • Author/Editor
   • Publisher
   • Year of publication
   • Genre
2. Author and Context
   • Brief biographical profile of the author.
   • Historical and intellectual context of the work.
   • Methodological approach (e.g. anthropological, sociological, historical-religious, philosophical).
3. Synopsis
   • A concise summary of the main arguments (approximately 10–15 lines), highlighting the central thesis and the overall structure of the work.
4. Analysis of the Main Themes
   • Identification and discussion of the principal concepts, theoretical perspectives, and methodological issues addressed in the volume.
5. Critical Evaluation
   • A reasoned assessment of the book, including its scholarly contribution, methodological strengths and limitations, originality, and significance for the study of the body, culture, religion, and society. Where appropriate, students are encouraged to compare the work with other relevant studies or authors working on similar themes.

Teaching methods

Classes are conducted exclusively in person and are not recorded.

The seminar consists of:

a) interactive lectures combining traditional teaching with PowerPoint presentations;

b) guest lectures and thematic seminars delivered by faculty members from the Degree Programmes in History and Anthropology, Religions, and Oriental Civilisations, as well as by invited scholars from other national and international academic institutions.

Given the seminar-based nature of the course, students are expected to participate actively in class discussions. Particular emphasis is placed on the critical analysis and collective discussion of the materials examined during the sessions, including ancient primary sources, scholarly publications, iconographic evidence, photographs, films, and other audiovisual resources.

Assessment methods

Regular attendance at lectures will facilitate successful completion of the examination. Students who attend at least 75% of the classes are considered attending students.

At the end of the seminar, students are required to submit a short research paper (see the Course Contents section above). The paper should focus either on one of the seminar sessions attended or on one of the topics or methodological issues discussed during the course. Alternatively, students may prepare an in-depth critical analysis of a film, iconographic materials, or scholarly or literary texts, subject to prior approval by the course instructor.

The written assignment will be discussed during the final oral examination in order to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the student's knowledge, critical understanding, and analytical skills.

WARNING: With regard to the possible use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools in assessment activities, please note that the use of generative AI is strictly prohibited in examinations and assessment tasks carried out in unproctored (non-controlled) environments. Any such work may subsequently be subject to validation through the examination of the working materials produced and mandatorily submitted by students, and through the above-mentioned oral examination.

This seminar is assessed on a pass/fail basis and does not award a numerical grade. Students will be awarded a Pass if they demonstrate:

• a thorough knowledge of the recommended bibliography;
• the ability to analyse and critically evaluate the materials examined during the course;
• appropriate command of academic language and terminology.

 

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), Temporary or Permanent Disabilities

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service well in advance:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it

The service will identify any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days before the examination for approval. The instructor will evaluate the proposed accommodations in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Examination Sessions (Academic Year 2026/2027)

Nine examination sessions are scheduled for the academic year 2026/2027:

• 19/05/2027
• 16/06/2027
• 14/07/2027
• 27/09/2027
• 20/10/2027
• 15/12/2027
• 19/01/2028
• 16/02/2028
• 29/03/2028 

The examination dates are published on the instructor's webpage under Teaching > Examination Sessions and are also available through the AlmaEsami online examination system.

Teaching tools

Course materials—including PowerPoint presentations, scanned scholarly articles, selected chapters and excerpts from the recommended bibliography, and, where appropriate, lecture notes—will be made available both during the seminars and online through the course's Teaching Materials section.

* 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 Giuseppina Paola Viscardi