History and Qualitative Methods for Environmental StudiesModule Qualitative Methods in Urban and Territorial Studies
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: Mara BENADUSIExpected Learning Outcomes
This module is aimed at students interested in deepening their knowledge on approaches and methods of anthropological research on the environment from an applied prospective, to orient territorial planning policies and practices in a sustainable way. At the end of the course students will be able to:
- problematize socio-environmental dynamics linked to territorial governance and territorial planning from an anthropological prospective;
- analyze and experiment methods and technics of qualitative research for facilitating processes of territorial planning by strengthening the relation between environments, ecosystems and societies;
- understand and incorporate ethical codes and relational approaches useful for developing forms of collaboration with territorial actors, and that are oriented toward mutual learning;
- position themself in applied settings where approaches and methods of anthropological qualitative research are contaminated with those of other professionals.
Course Structure
Lessons will be carried out by alternating moments of frontal teaching and moments of interactive and applied teaching, in which students will deal with their readings and with methodologies of anthropological investigation on the ground.
Information for students with diverse abilities and/or with special needs:
As a guarantee of equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students can ask for a personal interview in order to plan a better way to foster their teaching objectives. It is also possible to ask the departmental contacts of CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or DSAs).
Required Prerequisites
Previous knowledge in anthropology is not requested.
Attendance of Lessons
This is a seminar-style course. Students are encouraged to prepare before classes. Being on time, participating and contributing to course activities have an effect to the final evaluation.
Detailed Course Content
In the first part of this course, students will explore the use of anthropological methods and approaches in applied contexts, with the aim of triggering transformations at territorial level and activating collective practices of collaboration and transdisciplinary exchange. Then, we will explore specific techniques and methods of qualitative research for the study of socio-ecological issues (in particular eco-ethnography, walking ethnography and collaborative anthropology). And finally, we will analyze specific case studies on the ground, experiencing the application potentials of enhancing the point of view of communities, civil society organizations and local institutions for solving territorial challenges.
Textbook Information
- Mariano Pavanello, 2010, Fare Antropologia. Metodi per la ricerca etnografica, Zanichelli (Parte II e Parte III)
- Giovanni Gugg, 2022, Sentire camminando: etnografia dei luoghi tramite le “walking interview”, in "Dialoghi Mediterranei": http://www.istitutoeuroarabo.it/DM/sentire-camminando-etnografia-dei-luoghi-tramite-le-walking-interview/
- Collective readings agreed with the teacher.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The anthropological category of the Mediterranean between continuity and change | |
| 2 | The emerging role of the Mediterranea as transnational region in the second half of the XX century | |
| 3 | Within a monograph: the Mediterranean in the classical and contemporary research | |
| 4 | Energy, environment and new imaginaries of the ecological transition in the Mediterranean |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
On the basis of small groups formed during class activity, students will have the opportunity to be evaluated at different steps. In particular students will be assessed on the basis of: a) their active participation in the course; b) the results of the collective and individual work assigned during class activities; c) their ability to connect approached and methods of qualitative research to the analysis of a specific case study in their final project work.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Students will be encourage to critically and reflexivily problematize class activities.