Anthropology of Contemporary Worlds

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

Lecturer

Elsa Mescoli

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

This course aims at introducing the methodological and epistemological developments of contemporary anthropology through the study of food practices and with a particular attention to the "anthropology at home" (with the aim of questioning one's own socio-cultural universe of reference and to study in a critical way the postures that the anthropologist is brought to take during fieldwork). The approach will be both theoretical and practical and it will include:

• The analysis of certain key works of contemporary anthropological literature and the issues that they raise for the discipline, in particular with regard to the representation of the "other";
• The focus on food as entry point to re-contextualise these debates within the ethnographic practice;
• The use of visual tool as instrument for analysis and production of ethnographic materials.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course aims at providing students with the theoretical and methodological tools needed to study the contemporary socio-cultural dynamics in a critical way, as well as at introducing them to the anthropology of food and to the mobilization of visual materials in this field of study.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

A good command of the history of Anglo-Saxon and French anthropologies, as well as a good command of written English (needed to read texts in English).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course will include nine lessons. The expected fieldwork will last 12 hours and will be organised in function of the topics and methodologies discusses during the classes.

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

Face to face; fieldwork
The students that are not able to follow the course, for example for reasons of work, are kindly asked to contact the teacher.
In case the number of students registered is below 10 persons, the course could be organised differently. 

Recommended or required readings

Readings will be suggested during lessons and available through MyULg.

Assessment methods and criteria

I session
Besides active presence to the classes (18h, 4 points), students will engage into a fieldwork (12h) that will lead to two realisations: a short video reproducing some data from fieldwork (8 points); a text functioning as comment and analysis of the video (8 points). No previous knowledge in audio-visual production is needed, nor any specific material (the use of a smartphone will be enough). During the course, if need, it will be possible to organise a session on the use of programs as Movie Maker.
II session
Students will engage into a fieldwork (12h, ways et details will be agreed with each student) that will lead to two realisations: a short video reproducing some data from fieldwork (10 points); a text functioning as comment and analysis of the video (10 points).

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Sessions take place in the first semester.

Contacts

e.mescoli@uliege.be  

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the May-June 2020 session

Teaching methods implemented : distance-learning

None (course finished in the first semester)

Assessment subjects

Unchanged (see the programme of the course above)

Assessment methods

Unchanged (see the programme of the course above)

Contacts

E.Mescoli@uliege.be

Adaptation of teaching commitments following the COVID-19 pandemic for the Aug-Sept 2020 session

Assessment subjects

Unchanged (see the programme of the course above)

Assessment methods

Unchanged (see the programme of the course above)

Contacts

e.mescoli@uliege.be

Items online