Historical anthropology

Teacher(s)

Bousmar Eric;

Language

French

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

The aim is to introduce the students enrolled in the history, languages and literature, philosophy as well as social and political sciences programmes to the purpose, the methods and the main results of historical anthropology, and this in a critical manner. Historical anthropology can be defined as a history of mentalities and behaviours that takes its inspiration in the issues raised by social anthropology and by ethnography.

Content

After a general presentation of the perspective of historical anthropology (its roots, its emergence, its links with other perspectives such as cultural history or the history of representations), the course will deal with the major authors and issues of this current. Chapters may include the structures of everyday life and family, the way human beings deal with animals, the history of sensitivities, feelings and emotions (attitudes regarding death, violence, fears...), sexuality, body (nutrition, appearances, gesture), symbolic communication and the rituals of power. We will proceed through a critical analysis of representative case-studies whose analysis will include a critical dimension, with a special attention paid to the methodology. As these issues are part of a long-term perspective, the course will deal with the whole range of historical times, from Ancient History to the Present.

Teaching methods

The lecture is based on concrete cases and problem-situations. A reading file may complete it.

Evaluation methods

The oral examination (with written preparation) assesses the knowledge of the course and of possible additional readings.

Other information

Lecture handout including an outline of the course, a thematic bibliography and the reproduction of key documents or extracts analysed or discussed during the course.
Powerpoint presentation available on the Moodle platform of the course (after each class).
The course is thaught every even year; it is NOT taught during the academic year 2023-2024 and will be thaught in 2024-2025.

Bibliography

Cf. bibliographie du syllabus-cadre, qui sera commentée au cours.
A bibliography will be provided with the lecture handout.

Teaching materials

• Anthropologie historique. Syllabus-cadre, textes, bibliographie

Faculty or entity

PHLB