Anthropology of Kinship
Code: 101268 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500256 Social and Cultural Anthropology | OB | 2 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Anna Maria Piella Vila
- Email:
- Anna.Piella@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for taking the course but it is advisable to have completed the first academic year of the Degree in Social and Cultural Anthropology or any subject of Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology.
Objectives and Contextualisation
CONTEXTUALIZATION
Second year course that explores the development of anthropological theory and the analysis of cultural diversity in the field of kinship and social organization and that corresponds to the main subject 'Classical fields of Anthropology'.
This course focuses on the analysis of kinship relationships from the anthropological perspective as well as on the presentation of the basic tools in a terminological, methodological and theoretical sense, in order to understand kinship as a cultural construction. The cross-cultural study of the diversity that exists in the field of kinship is another focus of the subject, linking it with the changes that have taken place and the social organizations that created them.
TRAINING OBJECTIVES
The student must be able to understand and analyse the basic terminology of kinship relationships in any sociocultural context.
The student must be able to recognize the ideological interpretations that frame kinship in its diversity.
The student must be able to interpret and compare the meaning of the diversity that exists in the field of kinship in any type of society.
Competences
- Apprehending cultural diversity through ethnography and critically assessing ethnographic materials as knowledge of local contexts and as a proposal of theoretical models.
- Developing critical thinking and reasoning and communicating them effectively both in your own and other languages.
- Respecting the diversity and plurality of ideas, people and situations.
- Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
- Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
- Students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of anthropological theory and the genesis of its basic concepts.
- Using the discipline's ethnographic and theoretical corpus with analytical and synthesis skills.
Learning Outcomes
- Analysing the complementarity and incongruities of several ethnographic reports from the same area.
- Applying the basic concepts of the anthropological theory.
- Assessing critically the explicit and implicit theoretical models in the ethnographic materials.
- Engaging in debates about historical and contemporary facts and respecting the other participants' opinions.
- Establishing historical connection between ethnographic and theoretical development.
- Identifying main and supporting ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
- Identifying the sociocultural variability through ethnographic texts and audiovisual resources.
- Identifying the transcultural variability of economic, kinship, political, symbolic and cognitive, educational and gender systems as well as their corresponding anthropological theory.
- Interpreting the cultural diversity through ethnography.
- Knowing and understanding the culture's influence in the various institutional systems of social action.
- Summarising acquired knowledge about the origin and transformations experienced in the several fields of anthropology.
- Summarizing the characteristics of a written text in accordance to its communicative purposes.
- Theoretically analysing ethnographic examples of cultural diversity in the fields of kinship, economy, politics and religion.
Content
INTRODUCTION. Kinship as a cultural construction and as a theoretical domain
Topic 1 - Kinship as a cultural construction.
Topic 2- The disciplinary construction of the Anthropology of Kinship.
FIRST PART Parental groups and regulation of procreation.
Topic 3 - The control of sexuality and the cultural construction of descendance.
Topic 4 - Filiation and Kinship.
Topic 5 - Exogamy, marriage and Kinship.
SECOND PART. Family units and network of relatives
Topic 6 - The domestic and familiar unit in traditional societies.
Topic 7 - Changes in households in Europe.
THIRD PART. Gender, economy and social organization of kinship
Topic 8 – Kinship relationships, gender and economic activities.
Topic 9 – Kinship relationships, gender and social organization.
Methodology
FORMATIVE ACTIVITIES
1 - Theoretical classes and directed practices
2 - Reading of texts and discussion in teams
3 - Analysis of audio-visual products with ethnographic content
4 - Writing and presentation of works. Teamwork
5 - Individual study
6 - Evaluation
TEACHING METHODOLOGY
1.1 - Master classes with ICT support
1.2 - Debates in the class group
2.1 - Comprehensive reading and discussion of texts
3.1 - Viewing and discussing of ethnographic documentaries
4.1 - Recensions and bibliographical essays based on a guide for its realization
4.2 - Writing a group work based on a guide for its implementation. Application of theoretical concepts to the analysis of ethnographic situations.
5.1 - Draw diagrams, conceptual maps and summaries
6.1 - Written test
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Exposition magistral class | 30 | 1.2 | 13, 10, 5, 8, 11, 2 |
| Tutoring preparation final work | 8 | 0.32 | 13, 9, 12 |
| Written Test | 2 | 0.08 | 5, 6, 11, 2 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Class group discussions | 6 | 0.24 | 7, 6, 4, 12 |
| Documentary visionary and discussion | 5 | 0.2 | 1, 6, 4 |
| Teamwork | 14 | 0.56 | 13, 3, 6, 2 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Individual study | 20 | 0.8 | 10, 5, 8, 9, 11 |
| Reading of texts | 25 | 1 | 13, 3, 5, 7, 9 |
Assessment
Work module
30% Final project (in group). Reflection and proposal of a definition for the concept 'family' based on the analysis of a family domestic unit.
20% Dossier readings (comment on questions asked). Activity that can be done in a group
Participation module
10% Assistance, participation and delivery of a report based on questions raised in the script regarding the audio-visual material presented.
Module written tests
40% Written test on basic concepts
The learning activities sequenced throughout the course and the calendar of evaluable activities will be presented on the first day of class and will be in the Virtual Campus of the course so that the students have access.
It is considered NOT EVALUABLE when the student does NOT present the final work or the written test on basic concepts, without justification, on the set dates (70% of the evaluation).
In order to PASS the subject, these two evaluation activities (exam and final work - 70%) must be approved, at least by 5.
Re-evaluation: the student can re-evaluate all the written tests of the course they have suspended. The grades of the rest of approved exercises will be kept. Re-evaluation date to be determined by the deanship.
Misconduct in assessment activities
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
In the event that tests or exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final work (in group). Reflection, analysis and proposal definition concept 'family' | 30% | 2 | 0.08 | 5, 8, 6, 12, 11, 2 |
| Participation in the discussions documentary view and comment delivery | 10% | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 13, 10, 7, 6, 4 |
| Read dossier files | 20% | 20 | 0.8 | 13, 3, 10, 8, 6, 11, 2 |
| Written test on basic concepts | 40% | 12 | 0.48 | 3, 8, 6, 9, 12, 2 |
Bibliography
BIBLIOGRAPHY. COMPULSORY REQUIREMENTS. Dossier 'Course readings'
Topic 3 - The control of sexuality and the cultural construction of descendance.
MALINOWSKI, Bronislaw (1982 [1920]). "El padre en la psicología primitiva" a Estudios de Psicología Primitiva. Buenos Aires: Ediciones Paidós.
Topic 4 - Filiation and Kinship.
LOWIE, Robert H. (2007[1950]). “Grupos de descendencia unilateral” a Parkin, R. y Stone, L. Antropología del parentesco y de la familia. Madrid: Editorial Universitaria. Ramón Areces. Pp. 93-130
Topic 5 - Exogamy, marriage and Kinship.
GOODY, J. (2007[1969]). “Herencia, propiedad y matrimonio en África y Eurasia” a Parkin, R. y Stone, L. Antropología del parentesco y de la familia. Madrid: Editorial Universitaria. Ramón Areces. Pp. 211-224)
Topic 6 - The domestic unit in traditional societies.
LÉVI-STRAUSS, Cl. (1984). “La Familia” a Lévi-Strauss, Cl.; Spiro, M. y Gough, K. Polémica sobre el origen y la universalidad de la Familia. Barcelona: Anagrama. 4ª ed.
Pp. 7-49
Topic 7 - Changes in households in Europe.
ROIGÉ, X. (1996). “Noves famílies, vells problemas” a Revista d’Etnologia de Catalunya. Núm.8. Pp. 62-76
Topic 8 – Kinship relationships, gender and economic activities.
MOORE, H. (1991). “Parentesco, trabajo y hogar: comprender la labor de la mujer” a Antropología y feminismo. Madrid: Cátedra. Pp. 59-95
BIBLIOGRAPHY. Complementary readings
GONZÁLEZ ECHEVARRÍA, A; SAN ROMÁN, T; GRAU REBOLLO,J. (2003). Las relaciones de parentesco. Bellaterra: Publicacions d’Antropologia Cultural. UAB. Núm. 23
ZONABEND, F. (1988). “Una visión Etnológica del parentesco y la familia” a Historia de la Familia. Vol. 1 Mundos Lejanos, mundos antiguos. Alianza Editorial.
GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
AIXELÁ, Y.
2000 Mujeres en Marruecos. Un análisis desde el parentesco y el género. Barcelona: Edicions Bellaterra. Colección Alborán.
BARRERA, A.
1990 Clase, herencia y familia en la Cataluña rural. Alianza Universidad. Ed. Alianza. Madrid.
BEATTIE, J.H.M.
1972 Otras Culturas. México: F.C.E.
BESTARD, J.
1998 Parentesco y modernidad. Barcelona. Buenos Aires: Paidós.
BOTT, E.
1990 (1975) Familia y red social. Barcelona: Taurus.
BUCHLER, I.
1982 Estudios de Parentesco. Barcelona: Anagrama. Col. Panorama de la Antropología Cultural Contemporánea. Núm.5.
COLLIER, J.F.; YANAGISAKO, S.J. (ed.).
1987 Gender and kinship. Essays toward a unified analysis. Stanford. California: Stanford Univesity Press.
Del VALLE, Teresa (Ed)
1993 Gendered Anthropology. Londres: Routledge
DUMONT, L.
1975 Introducción a dos teorías de la Antropología Social. Barcelona: Anagrama.
FIRTH, R. (et al.)
1970 Families and their relatives. London: Routledge and Kegal Paul.
FOX, Robin.
1980 Sistemas de parentesco y matrimonio. Madrid: Alianza Universidad.
GONZÁLEZ ECHEVARRÍA, A; SAN ROMÁN, T; GRAU REBOLLO, J.
2003 Las relaciones de parentesco. Bellaterra: Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Serie Materiales.
GONZÁLEZ ECHEVARRÍA, A.; SAN ROMÁN, T.; VALDÉS, R.
1983 Tres escritos introductorios al estudio del parentesco. Bellaterra: Publicaciones de Antropología Cultural. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.
GOODY, J.
1986 La evolución de la familia y del matrimonio en Europa. Barcelona: Editorial Herder.
GRAU, Jorge.
2002 La familia en la pantalla. Oviedo: Septem Ediciones
2006 Procreación, género e identidad. Debates actuales sobre el parentesco y la familia en clave transcultural. Barcelona: Edicions Bellaterra.
HARRIS, M.
1987 Introducción a la Antropología general. Madrid: Alianza. Capítulos 13 "La organización de la vida doméstica" y 14 "Parentesco, residencia y filiación".
LASLETT, P.
1972 Household and Family in Past Time. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
LÉVI-STRAUSS, Cl.
1972 El futuro de los estudios del parentesco. Barcelona: Anagrama.
1973 Las estructuras elementales del parentesco. Barcelona. Buenos Aires: Paidós. 3ª reimpresión (1a. edición 1949).
MALINOWSKI, B.
1969 Sexe i repressió en les societats primitives. Barcelona: Edicions 62.
1970 Estudios de psicología primitiva. Buenos Aires, Barcelona: Ediciones Paidós.
MEAD, M
1983 Sexe i Temperament en tres Societats Primitives. Barcelona: Edicions 62. Edición original de 1935.
MEILLASSOUX, Cl.
1977 Mujeres, graneros y capitales. Barcelona. Madrid: Siglo XXI. 8ª. Edición.
MURDOCK, G.P.
1967 Ethnographic Atlas. Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
NEEDHAM, R.
1971 Rethinking Kinship and Marriage. Londres: Tabistock.
PARKIN, R; STONE, L
2006 Antropología del parentesco y de la familia. Madrid: Editorial Centro de Estudios Ramón Areces.
RADCLIFFE-BROWN, A.R.; FORDE, D. (eds.)
1982 Sistemas africanos de parentesco y matrimonio. Barcelona: Anagrama.
ROIGÉ VENTURA, X. (Coord.)
2006 Familias de ayer,familias de hoy. Continuidades y cambios en Cataluña. Barcelona: Icària.
1997 "¿Tanto está cambiando la familia? Transformaciones y continuidades en el parentesco". Revista de Occidente. Núm. 199. Pp. 90-111.
ROIGÉ, X.; GARCÍA, A.; MASCARELL, M. (eds.)
1994 Antropologia del Parentiu. Barcelona: Icària.
SEGALEN, M.
1992 Antropología histórica de la familia. Madrid: Taurus Universitaria. Primera parte: el espacio del parentesco. Pp. 37-97.
SCHNEIDER, David M.
1968 American Kinship. A Cultural Account. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
STOLCKE, Verena
2004 “La mujer es puro cuento: la cultura del género”; Quaderns, 19: 69-95
STONE, Linda (Ed)
2001 New Directions in Anthropological Kinship. Nueva York: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers Inc.