Basic Concepts of Difference and Inequality
Code: 107233Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | FB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Laia Narciso Pedro
- Email :
- laia.narciso@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Jordi Castellvi Girbau
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives
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 (Apply the basic concepts of anthropology to the understanding of socio-cultural contexts and situations, incorporating the gender perspective.) Apply the basic concepts of anthropology to the understanding of socio-cultural contexts and situations, incorporating the gender perspective.
- CM10 (Use an appropriate specific vocabulary in the transmission of basic anthropological information.) Use an appropriate specific vocabulary in the transmission of basic anthropological information.
- KM07 (Recognise the basic concepts (culture, difference and inequality) and of anthropology for the understanding of cultural diversity.) Recognise the basic concepts (culture, difference and inequality) and of anthropology for the understanding of cultural diversity.
- SM10 (Interpret socio-cultural contexts and situations by applying the basic concepts of anthropological theory.) Interpret socio-cultural contexts and situations by applying the basic concepts of anthropological theory.
- SM13 (Analyse social phenomena from an anthropological perspective.) Analyse social phenomena from an anthropological perspective.
Contents
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.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical work | 20 | 21 | 0.84 | CM09, CM10, SM10, SM13 |
| Text-based assignments | 40 | 42 | 1.68 | CM09, CM10, KM07, SM13 |
| Written test | 40 | 42 | 1.68 | CM09, CM10, KM07 |
At the beginning of the course, a schedule specifying the submission dates for assignments and other assessment activities will be provided. This schedule will not be subject to change.
At the time of each assessment activity, the lecturer will inform students (in class and via the Virtual Campus) of the procedure and date for reviewing grades.
Assessment in this course is understood as a continuous and progressive process extending throughout the teaching period and based on the completion of different assessment activities:
Written examination module (40%). Students’ overall understanding of the theoretical content covered in class will be assessed.
Text-based assignment module (40%). Students will complete four text-based assignments during the course (10% of the final grade each).
Practical assignment module (20%). Students will complete one practical assignment.
Students will receive a grade of “Not Assessable” if they have submitted assessment activities accounting for 30% or less of the final grade.
To pass the course, students must obtain a minimum final grade of 5 out of 10, calculated as the weighted average of the grades obtained in each module according to its percentage weighting.
Students who fail the course may take part in the reassessment process provided that they meet the criteria for being assessed and have obtained a minimum final grade of 3.5 out of 10. The maximum grade that may be awarded for assessment activities submitted or completed as part of the reassessment process is 5 out of 10.
This course does not provide for a single-assessment system.
If a student commits any irregularity that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade awarded for an assessment activity, that activity will be graded 0, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated. If several irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. Assessment activities affected by irregularities (copying, misuse of AI, etc.) cannot be reassessed.
This course permits the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies exclusively for bibliographic searches or information retrieval, text correction, or translation.
Students must (i) identify the parts that have been generated using AI; (ii) specify the tools used; and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI in assessment activities will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will result in the activity being graded 0, with no possibility of reassessment, or in more severe sanctions in serious cases.
Exchange students who request to take an assessment activity in advance must provide the teaching staff with written documentation from their home university justifying the request.
Bibliography
Reference manual for this course:
Laburthe-Tolra, Philippe; Warnier, Jean-Pierre. 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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Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |