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. Preferably, and if possible, the fieldwork will fall within the framework of the steps undertaken for the realization of the master thesis, aiming at the identification and analysis of food-related issues within this framework.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face to face; compulsory readings; 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. 

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

In the event that institutional measures aimed at the current health situation should constrain face-to-face lessons and fieldwork, other modalities will be discussed and applied, such as: online lessons through Lifesize at the address https://call.lifesizecloud.com/5494672; online ethnography, gathering of visual material, auto-ethnography, etc.
The evaluation modality will remain the same regardless of any changes in the measures aimed at the current health situation. Nevertheless, there could be an adjustment of the fieldwork.
Examination material (text and video) should be submitted by email to e.mescoli@uliege.be, including a Wetransfer download link if the files are too large. Deadline: 19/01/2020.

Recommended or required readings

Readings will be suggested during lessons and available through MyULg. Some of these readings are compulsory and needed for the discussion in class.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

written work

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

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