Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Introduction to Culture
Teaching staff
After class or via email: mafarinelli@uic.es
Introduction
The term “culture” encompasses a wide variety of meanings. It is a reality rich in nuances, and therefore, understanding what we mean when we speak of culture requires examining it from many perspectives. This course addresses some introductory questions to provide a deeper understanding of this reality. It is centered on an anthropological and historical framework and explores the origins of the concept of “culture,” which disciplines have studied it, how they have done so, how the concept has evolved throughout history, and the implications of different approaches for society. At the same time, the course will analyze several thematic areas of fundamental importance for understanding culture and cultures. In this way, it introduces students to one of the fundamental concepts in the field of the humanities.
Pre-course requirements
Those specific to the program.
Objectives
1. To explore some key concepts and ideas relating to the study of culture, so that students can engage in analysis and reflection within this field of the humanities.
2. To introduce students to the style and methods of university-level study.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN02 - Students will be able to identify models and policies specific to different cultures and migratory groups, as well as their historical context.
- CN03 - Students will be able to establish relationships between the concepts of heritage, territory and cultural identity.
- CP01 - Students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired in the professional field by coming up with and defending arguments, as well as resolving problems within different areas of humanistic study.
- CP04 - Students will be able to encourage cultural visibility as a resource in institutions, markets, industries and companies.
- CP05 - Students will be able to analyse socio-cultural, historical and artistic structures, from a respect for the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, using language that avoids androcentricity and stereotypes.
- HB05 - Students will be able to problem solve based on reasoned judgements.
- HB10 - Students will have the ability to manage economic resources and digital skills in cultural organisations and projects.
- HB12 - Students will be able to adequately and effectively apply methods and techniques specific to different humanities disciplines when problem solving and when elaborating critical and well-founded arguments.
- HB16 - Students will be able to interpret spaces, territories and landscapes that are either real or represented.
- HB20 - Students will be able to use sources of information in an international context.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Acquire the key vocabulary and concepts for each subject
- Search for and select information from specific documentary sources
- Develop arguments and summaries in debates and oral presentations
- Analyses and summarises texts used in each subject
- Links concepts from the different subjects studied in a cross-curricular manner
- Learns to identify problems in intellectual, cultural and social contexts
- Applies and transfers theoretical and/or abstract concepts from each subject to real-life situations
- Learns to contextualise social and cultural phenomena
Syllabus
- The concept of culture.
- How to analyse culture: anthropology and the humanities.
- History of culture
- Culture and nature.
- Culture and spirituality.
- Culture and travel.
- Culture and power.
- Culture and technology.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Lectures delivered by the lecturer, with student participation.
Reading and analysis of texts and other documentary sources; discussion of the topics covered in class and those prepared in advance by the students; exercises and practical examples relating to the topics covered.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
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Shorts essays 35%
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Final Exam 50%
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Engagement 15%
Bibliography and resources
GARCÍA AMILBURU, M. “Cultura”, en FERNÁNDEZ LABASTIDA, Francisco – MERCADO, Juan Andrés (editores). Philosophica: Enciclopedia filosófica on line, URL: http://www.philosophica.info/archivo/2011/voces/cultura/Cultura.html
GINZBURG, CARLO. El queso y los gusanos. El cosmos según un molinero del siglo XVI. Austral, Madrid 2026 (original en italiano: 1976).
BAUMAN, ZYGMUNT. La cultura en el mundo de la modernidad líquida. Fondo de Cultura Económica, Méjico.
BURKE, PETER. Que es la historia cultural? Critica, Madrid, 2018.
BROCKMAN, JOHN (Ed.). Cultura. Colec. Fronteras del conocimiento. Ed. Crítica, S.L., 2012
BUSQUETS, JOAN. La Cultura. UOC, 2006.
CASSIRER, E. Antropología filosófica. Fondo de cultura económica de España, Madrid, 2011.
CHOZA, J.; Arregui, J. Filosofía del hombre: una antropología de la intimidad. Rialp, Madrid, 1995 (4ª ed.)
CHOZA, J., Filosofía de la Cultura. Editorial Thémata. Sevilla, 2013.
ELIOT, T. S., Notas para la definición de la Cultura. Ed. Bruguera, Barcelona, 1984.
GEERTZ, C. La interpretación de las culturas. Gedisa editorial, Barcelona, 2003
GOMBRICH, E. Breve historia de la cultura. Península, 2004
MARINA, J.A. y RAMBAUD, J. Biografía de la humanidad. Historia de la evolución de las culturas, Ariel, Barcelona, 2018.
SAN MARTÍN SALA, JAVIER, Teoría de la Cultura. Editorial Síntesis, Madrid, 1999.