27280 - Seminars (1) (G.D)

Learning outcomes

The seminar is meant to be strictly related to the objectives of the degree course. The student will acquire specific skills and notions to address pivotal and methodological issues in cultural anthropology.

Course contents

The gift in the Greek and Roman world: economy, society and religion.

 

The seminar aims to provide skills in order to analyse aspects of the Greek and Roman worlds using modern theories and categories from the anthropological disciplines. In particular, students at the end of the seminar will be able to interpret some economic, social and religious phenomena of the two ancient Mediterranean cultures mentioned above by using "the gift paradigm". They will also be able to structure an oral exposition, also using digital tools for a presentation, and write a short essay.

The seminar is divided into two macro-sections:

1. The first two modules (12 hours), held by the lecturer, aim to provide the necessary tools to carry out the seminar activity.

• Introduction to the concept of gift and reciprocity (7 hours): the concept of gift will be presented starting from the fundamental essay by Marcel Mauss followed by the presentation of several concrete cases. A scholar will be invited to present aspects of his ethnographic research related to the gift.

• Structuring an exposition and a short written essay (5 hours): the basics of conducting research in groups and structuring clear scientific presentations with the aid of digital presentation tools will be provided; moreover the fundamental of writing a short essay will be provided.

2. The other three modules (18 hours) will be structured in a mixed form (presentation of the research by students in working groups, integration by the lecturer and intervention by external experts for each module) and aim to show the applicability of the modern concept of gift in various areas of the Greek and Roman world.

• 2.1 Gift and Economy (6 hours) in the Greek and Roman worlds, with a particular focus on forms of exchange.

• 2.2 Gift and Society (6 hours) in the Greek and Roman worlds, with a particular focus on interpersonal relations (clientele, amicitia) and evergetism.

• 2.3 Gift and Religion (6 hours) in the Greek and Roman worlds, with a particular focus on sacrifices and votive gifts.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

1. General introduction

• Marcel Mauss, Saggio sul dono: forma e motivo dello scambio nelle società arcaiche (introduzione di Marco Aime), Torino, Einaudi 2002.

1.1 Suggested bibliography (not mandatory): 

• Alain Caillé, Il terzo paradigma: antropologia filosofica del dono, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 1998.
• Jacques T. Godbout, Lo spirito del dono (in collaborazione con Alain Caillé), Torino, Bollati Boringhieri 1993.
  

2. Papers on each section to be divided into groups (available on Virtuale ):

2.1 Gift and Economy

• Koenraad Verboven, “Like a bait on a hook. Ethics, Etics and Emics of Gift-Exchange in the Roman World”, in F. Carlà, M. Gori (eds), Gift Giving and the ‘Embedded’ Economy in the Ancient World, Heidelberg, Universitätsverlag Winter, 2014, pp. 135-153.
• Suzanne Dixon, “The meaning of Gift and Debt in the Roman Elite”, in Echos du monde Classique: Classical views 37 (1993), pp. 451-464.
• Marc Domingo Gygax, “ Euergetism and the embedded economy f the Greek pols” in D. B. Hollander, T.R. Blanton IV, J. T. Fitzgerald (eds.), The Extramercantile economies of Greek and Roman cities: new perspectives on the economic history of classical antiquity, London – New York, Routledge, 2019, pp. 63-82.

2.2 Gift and Society

• Arnaldo Marcone, “Forme evergetiche nella società del Principato: la riflessione senecana”, in G. Cuniberti (a cura di), Dono, controdono e corruzione: ricerche storiche e dialogo interdisciplinare, Alessandria, Edizioni dell’Orso 2017, pp. 219-232.

• Marc Domingo Gygax, “Gift-Giving and Power Relationships in Greek Social Praxis and Public Discourse”, in M. L. Satlow (ed.), The Gift in Antiquity, Malden (MA, USA), Wiley-Blackwell 2013, pp. 45-60.

• Zeba Crook, “Fictive Giftship and Fictive Friendship in Graeco-Roman society”, in M. L. Satlow (ed.), The Gift in Antiquity, Malden (MA, USA), Wiley-Blackwell 2013, pp. 61-76.

• Sabien Colpaert, “Euergetism and the gift”, in F. Carlà, M. Gori (eds), Gift Giving and the ‘Embedded’ Economy in the Ancient World, Heidelberg, Universitätsverlag Winter, 2014, pp. 181-201.

2.3 Gift and Religion

• Nicola Denzey Lewis, “Roses and Violets for the Ancestors: Gifts to the Dead and Ancient Roman Form of Social Exchange”, in M. L. Satlow (ed.), The Gift in Antiquity, Malden (MA, USA), Wiley-Blackwell 2013, pp. 122-136.

• Tullia Linders, “Gods, Gifts, Society”, in T. Linders, G. Nordquist (eds.), Gifts to the gods: proceedings of the Uppsala Symposium 1985, Uppsala, Almqvist & Wiksell 1987, pp. 115-122.

• Irene Berti, “Value for Money: Pleasing the Gods and Impressing Mortals in the Archaic and Early Classical Age”, in F. Carlà, M. Gori (eds), Gift Giving and the ‘Embedded’ Economy in the Ancient World, Heidelberg, Universitätsverlag Winter, 2014, pp. 289-313.

Teaching methods

The seminar is divided into two phases:

(a) The first phase (12 hours) will provide an introduction by the lecturer to the concept of gift through mostly frontal lectures.

(b) The second phase (18 hours) will take place in a mixed form: presentation of research by students in working groups, integration by the lecturer and intervention by external experts for each module.

Assessment methods

The assessment will be on a pass/not pass basis and will be based on:

1. regular participation in the classes (all parts)
2. participation in a working group, with the subsequent presentation of a paper, using digital tools useful for a presentation, and its discussion in the classroom;
3. writing of a short essay (4-7 pages) developed from the oral presentation and the subsequent classroom discussion.

The assessment will therefore be based on:

- mastery of content;

- the ability to synthesise and analyse issues and problems;

- the ability to express oneself adequately and in language appropriate to the subject matter;

- the ability to work in a group;

- the ability in oral expression and effective use of digital tools useful for a presentation;

- the ability to write a short essay.

The ability to express an organic view of the topics addressed in class, a good command of expression and specific language, effective use of digital tools for a presentation and the ability to write a short essay will allow the achievement of the credits.

Deficiencies in exposition, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographical materials offered during the course, ineffective use of digital tools useful for a presentation and deficits in the form of written expression will be evaluated negatively and will not allow the achievement of the credits.

 

Teaching tools

During the course, PowerPoint slides will be displayed. Virtuale , the University's repository for sharing teaching support tools, will be used to share the power points discussed during the lessons and the proposed readings.

Office hours

See the website of Simone Ciambelli