Social and cultural anthropology

Teacher(s)

Colla Martin (compensates Hermesse Julie); Hermesse Julie; Laffita van den Hove d'Ertsenryck Yailin (compensates Hermesse Julie);

Language

French

Content

We are living in the Anthropocene, an era characterized by unsustainable human pressure on ecosystems, potentially threatening the survival of parts of humanity and exacerbating environmental and health-related crises, particularly among the most vulnerable populations. To imagine a sustainable future, it is crucial to draw inspiration from the diverse cultures that have inhabited the planet throughout history. Such an undertaking requires challenging Western ethnocentrism and recognizing our dependence on alienating technologies.
Anthropology and ethnology provide valuable insights into the multiple ways in which humans have inhabited and related to the world. Adopting a decolonial perspective, this course seeks to break down disciplinary boundaries and integrate plural perspectives. This epistemological shift encourages a critical examination of knowledge-production processes, challenges established paradigms, and opens the way to new scientific perspectives and alternative ways of being in the world.

Teaching methods

This course adopts an innovative pedagogical approach to explore the challenges of socio-ecological transition from a systemic and transformative perspective. Inspired by the six entry points proposed in The Great Transition Handbook by C. Renouard and colleagues, the course mobilizes reason, emotions, and the senses, encouraging systemic thinking and critical reflection on our ways of life.
Documentary screenings: The course includes the viewing of relevant documentaries to illustrate key concepts and stimulate critical discussion.
Integration of classical and contemporary authors: The course content draws on both foundational works in anthropology and contributions from contemporary scholars, providing a rich and diverse perspective.
Ethnographic case studies: Case studies are drawn from both the Global North and the Global South, enabling a comparative understanding of socio-ecological issues.
Practical sessions: Lectures are complemented by practical sessions. These sessions will guide students (1) in reading and analyzing texts by authors discussed during the lectures, and (2) in the individual production of a poster that brings together newspaper articles related to a socio-ecological crisis chosen by the student, actions undertaken by human societies in response to that crisis, and relevant scientific literature, with the aim of developing analytical insights and critical perspectives.

Evaluation methods

Assessment will take the form of an oral examination during the examination session. The examination will cover the full course content and will assess students’ understanding of key concepts, their ability to establish connections between the different themes addressed throughout the course, and their critical reflection on socio-ecological issues. Students will be expected to discuss the topics studied in depth, thereby demonstrating their mastery of the knowledge acquired.
The first part of the oral examination will be devoted to the presentation of the poster developed during the academic year. This presentation will assess the student’s ability to synthesize and communicate their research and analyses effectively. Evaluation criteria will include, in particular, the clarity of the presentation, the relevance of the information presented, the quality of the argumentation, and the ability to answer questions and engage in critical discussion.

Other information

The use of artificial intelligence tools in the assessment components of this course is subject to the regulations outlined in the Faculty’s policy note on this matter, available on the Faculty intranet under the section dedicated to student information.

Online resources

Moodle

Faculty or entity

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