Basic Concepts of Difference and Inequality
Code: 107233 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1500086 Social and Cultural Anthropology | FB | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Jordi Castellvi Girbau
- Email:
- jordi.castellvi@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The general objective of the course is to offer an initial approach to the basic concepts of the discipline and the anthropological analysis perspective, based on the affirmation of the existence of a shared and at the same time culturally diverse humanity. The course provides a general overview of the main concepts of social and cultural anthropology, emphasizing the mechanisms of constructing social differences and inequalities.
It also aims to theoretically and ethnographically illustrate human cultural diversity and to explain the ways in which concepts and discourses have been socially and anthropologically constructed to explain it. Furthermore, the social mechanisms of constructing inequalities based on differences will be explained and contrasted with the discourses and practices of social exclusion that have been developed throughout history and that are still present today.
Ultimately, the aim is to approach a way of looking at and analyzing the world without falling into simplistic approaches and exclusionary or reductionist stances through the foundations of informed knowledge that allow the development of a critical spirit to reflect on current social reality and propose alternatives to build equal coexistence among different societies and human cultures.
Learning Outcomes
- CM09 (Competence) Apply the basic concepts of anthropology to the understanding of socio-cultural contexts and situations, incorporating the gender perspective.
- CM10 (Competence) Use an appropriate specific vocabulary in the transmission of basic anthropological information.
- KM07 (Knowledge) Recognise the basic concepts (culture, difference and inequality) and of anthropology for the understanding of cultural diversity.
- SM10 (Skill) Interpret socio-cultural contexts and situations by applying the basic concepts of anthropological theory.
- SM13 (Skill) Analyse social phenomena from an anthropological perspective.
Content
CHAPTER 1. Introduction. Human diversity and its interpretation. Paradigms on human diversity: the nature versus culture debate.
CHAPTER 2. The concept of otherness in Western history. The emergence of academic anthropology.
CHAPTER 3. Anthropology in the field of human and social sciences. Object, method, and anthropological techniques. Ethnography and fieldwork. Emic and etic perspectives.
CHAPTER 4. The formal study of cultural variability. The idea of culture and other associated concepts. Ethnocentrism and cultural relativism.
CHAPTER 5. Difference and inequality. Discourses on otherness. The attitude towards difference. Identities. Race, ethnicity, gender. Processes of inclusion and exclusion.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Lectures with ICT support; viewing and discussion of documentaries. | 45 | 1.8 | CM09, CM10, KM07, SM10, SM13 |
Lectures with ICT support; viewing and discussion of documentaries.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical work | 20 | 21 | 0.84 | CM09, CM10, KM07, SM10, SM13 |
| Text-based assignments | 40 | 42 | 1.68 | CM09, CM10, KM07, SM10, SM13 |
| Written test | 40 | 42 | 1.68 | CM09, CM10, KM07, SM10, SM13 |
Continuous Assessment
The continuous assessment system is organized into 3 modules:
-
Written test module (40%). It will assess the comprehensive understanding of the theory covered in class.
-
Text-based assignments module (40%). 4 text-based assignments will be evaluated during the course (10% of the total grade each).
-
Practical work module (20%). A practical assignment will be assessed.
At the beginning of the course, the deadlines for the assignments will be provided, along with instructions for their completion. At the time of each evaluation activity, the professor will inform students about the procedure and date for reviewing the grades.
If a student participates in at least one of the assessments during the course, they will be EVALUATED. Otherwise, they will automatically be marked as NOT EVALUABLE.
To pass the course, students must submit exercises representing a minimum of 60% of the final grade by the set deadlines (excluding justified reasons). It is also required to pass that during the regular course period, the weighted sum of all grades is at least 3.
If a student is not automatically failed for not meeting the requirements stated above, they may retake failed assessment tests. The maximum grade for assessments submitted or completed during this retake will be a 5 out of 10.
If a student engages in any irregularity that significantly affects the grading of an assessment, they will receive a zero, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may follow. If multiple irregularities occur in assessments, the final grade for this subject will be zero.
Single Assessment
This assessment method involves three evaluative activities on a fixed date at the end of the semester:
-
Written test module (40%). It will assess the comprehensive understanding of the theory covered in class.
-
Text-basedassignments module (40%). Four text-based assignments will be evaluated.
-
Practical work module (20%). A practical assignment will be assessed.
For single assessment, the same retake system as continuous assessment will be applied.
Bibliography
Reference manual for this course:
Laburthe-Tolra; Jean-Pierre Warnier 1998 (1993) Etnología y antropología. Madrid: Akal
Required reading:
Mallart i Guimerà, Lluís 2020 Soc fill dels Evuzok. Barcelona: Penguin Random House
Other manuals and reference works:
AADD (1993) Diccionari d'antropologia. Barcelona: TERMCAT3
Augé M.; Colleyn J.P. 2005 Qué es la antropología. Barcelona: Paidós
Bonte, Pierre; Izard, M. 1996 (1991) Diccionario de etnología y antropología. Madrid: Akal.
Frigolé, Joan et al 1995 Antropologia social. Barcelona: Proa
Harris, M. 1998 Introducción a la antropología general. Madrid: Alianza
Kottak, Conrad Phillip. 2005 (2002) Introducción a la antropología cultural. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
Lisón Tolosana, Carmelo (ed.) 2007 Introducción a la Antropología Social y Cultural. Teoría, método ypráctica. Madrid: Akal
Llobera, Josep Ramon 1999 Manual d'antropologia social. Barcelona: Ediuoc.
Mair, Lucy 1998 (1965) Introducción a la antropología social. Madrid: Alianza
Thematic bibliography:
Comas d'Argemir, Dolors 1998 Antropología econòmica. Barcelona: Ariel
Comellas, Pere; Carme Junyent 2021 Els colors de la neu. Les llengües, les persones i el món. Vic: Eumo
Díaz Cruz, Rodrigo. 1998. Archipiélago de rituales. Barcelona: Anthropos
Duch, Lluís (diversos volums) Antropologia de la vida quotidiana. Barcelona: Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat
Estruch, Joan 2015 Entendre les religions. Una perspectiva sociològica. Barcelona: Mediterrània
González Echevarria, Aurora; San Roman Espinosa, Teresa; Valdés, Ramón 2000 Tres escritos introductorios al estudio del parentesco. Bellaterra: UAB Servei de Publicacions
Hammersley, Martyn; Paul Atkinson 1994 (1983) Etnografia. Barcelona: Paidós
Harris, M. 1999 El desarrollo de la teoría antropológica: historia de las teorías de la cultura. Madrid: Siglo XXILewellen, Ted C. 1984 (1983) Antropología Política. Barcelona: Edicions Bellaterra
Junyent Figueras, M. Carme; Pere Comellas Casanova 2019 Antropología lingüística. Madrid: Síntesis
Lévi-Strauss, Claude 1985 [1962] El pensament salvatge. Barcelona: Edicions 62
Lévi-Strauss, Claude 2005 [1955] Tristos Tròpics. Barcelona: Anagrama
Lewellen, Ted C.1994 [1983] Antropología política. Barcelona: Edicions bellaterra
Llobera, José R. 1975 La antropologia como ciencia. Barcelona: Anagrama.
Narotzky, Susana 2004. Antropologia econòmica. Nuevas tendencias. Barcelona: Melusina.
Thiong'o, Ngugu wa 2007 Descolonitzar la ment. Barcelona: Raig Verd
Prat i Carós, Joan 1984 La mitologia i la seva interpretació. Barcelona: Llar del llibre.
Prat, Joan (coord.) 2004 I... això és la meva vida. Barcelona: Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Cultura
Prats. Llorens 1997 Antropologia y patrimonio. Barcelona: Ariel
Rodó-Zárate, Maria 2021 Interseccionalitat. Desigualtats, llocs i emocions. Barcelona: Tigre de paper
Salazar, Carles 2009 Antropologia de les creences. Religió, simbolisme, irracionalitat. Barcelona: Fragmenta.
Software
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Language list
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |