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Social Anthropology

Code: 101136 ECTS Credits: 6
2025/2026
Degree Type Year
Sociology OT 4

Contact

Name:
Laia Narciso Pedro
Email:
laia.narciso@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

There is no prerequisites.


Objectives and Contextualisation

The subject Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology is a first approach to the study of human sociocultural variability, from a comparative perspective.
										
											
										
											Throughout the semester, the basic concepts and key themes of Social and Cultural Anthropology are presented and developed. 
The classic thematic areas will be discussed, the anthropological perspectives on difference and inequality and some of the most recent developments in the discipline will be introduced.
Through the study of ethnographic cases that illustrate cultural diversity and highlight the contrasts and similarities with the sociocultural context itself, and with the support of reading and audiovisual materials,
students will gain a basic knowledge of the anthropological methodology and its ethnographic techniques that they can integrate into their sociological training. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Faced with the challenges that different societies face, in 2015 the United Nations (UN) defined 17 goals for sustainable development (ODS), which are broken down into 169 goals.
The SDGs address issues that affect different areas, from the eradication of poverty to the preservation of marine life. These are the objectives that must be achieved by 2030, and that challenge the whole of society. The ODS included in this subject are the following: SDG 1: End poverty SDG 5: Gender equality ODS 10: Reduction of inequalities ODS 11: Sustainable cities and communities ODS 12: Responsible consumption and production ODS 16: Strong institutions of Peace and Justice

Competences

  • Applying the concepts and approaches of the sociological theory, specially the explanations of social inequalities between classes, between genders and between ethnic groups, to the implementation of public policies and to the resolution of conflict situations.
  • Demonstrating a comprehension of the approaches of the sociological theory in its different aspects, interpretations and historical context.
  • Describing social phenomena in a theoretically relevant way, bearing in mind the complexity of the involved factors, its causes and its effects.
  • Developing self-learning strategies.
  • Respecting the diversity and plurality of ideas, people and situations.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Defining the sociological concepts that interpret the cultural phenomena.
  2. Developing self-learning strategies.
  3. Distinguishing the underlying cultural phenomena of specific policies or conflicts.
  4. Explaining the social interpretations of culture according to these approaches.
  5. Relating the debates regarding these approaches, that refer to culture, with the historical context in which they emerged.
  6. Respecting the diversity and plurality of ideas, people and situations.

Content

Topic 1. Social and Cultural Anthropology: Subjects, Methods, and Perspectives

Subtitle: What does anthropology study? How is it different from sociology?
Guiding questions:

  • What are the main branches of anthropology?

  • What does it mean to take an "anthropological perspective"?

  • Why is fieldwork central to anthropological research?

Topic 2. Sociopolitical Classifications and the Construction of Otherness: Between Difference and Hierarchy

Subtitle: How are “the others” constructed? What effects do social categories have?
Guiding questions:

  • How are people classified by race, ethnicity, gender, or culture?

  • What does “construction of otherness” mean?

  • How has inequality been naturalized over time?

Topic 3. Kinship and Social Organization: Bonds, Descent, and Alliances

Subtitle: Families, clans, and social ties—what is natural and what is cultural?
Guiding questions:

  • What forms of kinship exist across societies?

  • How are family and alliance relations constructed?

  • How does kinship relate to power and social reproduction?

Topic 4. Economy and Modes of Subsistence: Exchange, Production, and Reciprocity

Subtitle: How is material life organized? What does a “human economy” look like?
Guiding questions:

  • What types of exchange exist beyond the market?

  • How does reciprocity operate in traditional and modern societies?

  • What insights does anthropology offer on poverty or value?

Topic 5. Political Organization and Power: Authority, Control, and Resistance

Subtitle: Who rules, how, and why? Understanding power through anthropology
Guiding questions:

  • What forms of leadership and governance exist?

  • How is power legitimized in different cultural contexts?

  • How are resistance and change expressed?

Topic 6. Religion, Rituals, and Systems of Belief: Meaning and Cultural Practices

Subtitle: Why do rituals matter? The social meaning of religion
Guiding questions:

  • How does anthropology approach religion and ritual?

  • What role do myths, symbols, and spiritual practices play?

  • How is religiosity linked to collective identity?

 

Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Discussion of written and audiovisual texts. 25 1 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Lectures with ICT support 30 1.2 1
Type: Supervised      
Class exercises and discussions. Group project. 35 1.4 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
Type: Autonomous      
Reading and text reviews and group project 60 2.4 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Based on the idea that in the teaching and learning process the student take the leading role, active participation in class will be expected. The class method will include:

- Lectures on the topics of the program with ICT support.

‐ Reading and discussing specific chapters and articles in each section of the program.

- Viewing and discussing specific audiovisual materials in each section of the program.

- Class exercises carried out in  small groups; discussion and presentation of group remarks, questions and conclusions.

- Group project. Students will be expected to work in small and cooperative working groups, focusing in one specific challenge in relation to issues studied in class. The project will be presented in class (groups and presentation calendar in the virtual campus)

 

15 minutes of a class will be reserved, within the calendar established by the center / degree, for the completion by the students of the surveys of evaluation of the performance of the teaching staff and of evaluation of the subject. 

 

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
Analytical essay 25% 0 0 2, 3, 5
Group work on synthesis of readings 25% 0 0 1, 3, 4, 5
Written exam 50% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Continuous assessment:
										
											
										
											The evaluation of the subject will be carried out procedurally through several tests:
										
											
										
											- Synthesis group work based on various readings: 25%
										
											
										
											- Analytical essay based on the reading of a monograph: 25%
										
											
										
											- Written exam on the content of the subject explained in the classroom: 50%
										
											
										
											 
										
											
										
											The final mark will be the average of the mark obtained in all the previously detailed sections.
										
											
										
											Those who do not reach a grade of 5 will be considered suspended and may opt for recovery if they have previously been assessed in activities that are equivalent to a minimum of two-thirds (60%) of the subject's total grade. Recovery will consist of a final synthesis test.
										
											
										
											At the time of carrying out each assessment activity, the teacher will inform the students (Moodle) of the procedure and date of review of the qualifications.
										
											
										
											The student will receive the grade of "Not assessable" as long as he has not delivered a minimum of 60% of the assessment activities.
										
											
										
											The teaching staff has the right to require a minimum grade (which in no case will exceed 3.5/10) to be able to present themselves for the reassessment.
										
											
										
											 
										
											
										
											Unique assessment:
										
											
										
											- The student is responsible for carrying out all the necessary procedures to be able to take up this option within the deadlines established by the UAB.
										
											
										
											- The three tests will be given on the same day, when specified by the teaching staff.
										
											
										
											- The three tests will be: Exam (50%), individual work of synthesis (25%) and individual analytical essay (25%).
										
											
										
											- In no case will the level of demand be lower than the continuous evaluation.

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.

This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks such as bibliographic or content-based searches, text correction or translations. The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.


										
											
										
											 

Bibliography

 

Laburthe-Tolra, Philippe; Warnier, Jean-Pierre. 1998 (1993). Etnología y antropología. Madrid: Akal.

AADD. 1993. Diccionari d'antropologia. Barcelona: TERMCAT.

Augé, Marc; Colleyn, Jean-Paul. 2005. Qué es la antropología. Barcelona: Paidós.
Bonte, Pierre; Izard, Michel. 1996 (1991). Diccionario de etnología y antropología. Madrid: Akal.
Frigolé, Joan; et al. 1995. Antropologia social. Barcelona: Proa.
Harris, Marvin. 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 y práctica. Madrid: Akal.
Llobera, Josep Ramon. 1999. Manual d'antropologia social. Barcelona: Ediuoc.
Mair, Lucy. 1998 (1965). Introducción a la antropología social. Madrid: Alianza.

 

Comas d'Argemir, Dolors. 1998. Antropología econòmica. Barcelona: Ariel.
Comellas, Pere; Junyent, Maria Carme. 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. (Varios volúmenes). Antropologia de la vida quotidiana. Barcelona: Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat.
Estruch, Joan. 2015. Entendre les religions. Una perspectiva sociològica. Barcelona: Mediterrània.
González Echevarría, Aurora; San Román Espinosa, Teresa; Valdés, Ramón. 2000. Tres escritos introductorios al estudio del parentesco. Bellaterra: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Servei de Publicacions.
Hammersley, Martyn; Atkinson, Paul. 1994 (1983). Etnografía. Barcelona: Paidós.
Harris, Marvin. 1999. El desarrollo de la teoría antropológica: historia de las teorías de la cultura. Madrid: Siglo XXI.
Lewellen, Ted C. 1994 (1983). Antropología política. Barcelona: Edicions Bellaterra.
Junyent Figueras, Maria Carme; Comellas Casanova, Pere. 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.
Llobera, José Ramón. 1975. La antropología como ciencia. Barcelona: Anagrama.
Narotzky, Susana. 2004. Antropología económica. Nuevas tendencias. Barcelona: Melusina.
Thiong'o, Ngũgĩ 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, Llorenç. 1997. Antropologia y patrimoni. 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

No specific software required.


Groups and Languages

Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 51 Catalan first semester afternoon
(TE) Theory 51 Catalan first semester afternoon