Urban anthropology

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Rachel Brahy, Guy Massart

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This year's course entitled "Urban Anthropology" questions in fact the relationship between art and anthropology. The examples and fieldworks proposed will be set  in urban spaces. Urban dynamics will therefore receive special attention.
Thus, the course presents itself as an introduction to the anthropology of art and the question of relations between artistic and anthropological approaches.
Firstly, the course aims to discuss fundamental notions (aesthetics, performance, poetics, politics, sensitive ...) starting from specific questions ; How did anthropology define art? What are the affinities between the two? How does anthropology collaborate with artists?
Secondly, the course emphasizes the interest of the ethnographic practice. Through the presentation of case studies and the reading of scientific articles, the aim will be to become familiar with the use of mixed analytic registers, to examine how ethnography of artistic expressions is practiced and how the relationships between anthropology and art are constructed.
Beyond the limits of a referential vision of artistic works, the approach proposed in the course will definitely be pragmatic and will focus on the political dimension of artistic expressions, particularly their capacity to create (more or less) public spaces.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

• To enter and participate in an analytically fruitful dialogue between Art and Anthropology;
• Master anthropological theories of art through the collective discussion of scientific articles;
• Discover, familiarize with and produce sensitive ethnographies;
• Become familiar with the use of mixed analytical registers;
• Conduct a short ethnographic fieldwork and propose a report.
   

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

• Good knowledge of the ethnographic process;
• Interest in debates around the crisis of representation;
• A sincere curiosity for art (especially contemporary art).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will consist of some ex-cathedra lecture, guest lectures, discussions of scientific articles in the form of a seminar, field visits and a short fieldwork carried out by the students, a reading portfolio will be available.


 

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

Three 10-hour modules are the backbone of the course; a module every month and ten hours on a two-day blocked period. Classes alternatively offer theory-based presentations and ethnographic fieldworks.

Recommended or required readings

A reader is offered and readings are suggested.

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination based on a fieldwork report, which combines text and another medium.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Course is offered during the Fall semester.

Contacts

Rachel BRAHY - Rachel.Brahy@uliege.be
Guy MASSART -Guy.Massart@uliege.be 

Items online