Learning objectives
The course aims to increase students’ knowledge about the more complex and debated issues in the field of social psychology of intergroup relations and culture. Moreover, the course aims to supply students with theoretical and methodological tools with which to analyze the main collective processes that are the basis of collective life. At the end of the course, the student must have acquired the following skills:
- Know and understand the main intra-group processes
- Know main psychosocial theories linked to hierarchical intergroup relations
- Know and understand the psychosocial processes which regulate the way in which individuals relate with political reality, ideologies and institutions.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course deals with the main theoretical approaches and research results characterizing the psychosocial analysis of intra- and inter-group processes. More precisely, intragroup dynamics such as leadership, norms and status, intergroup cooperation and conflict, identity-based processes as well as process of legitimation and maintenance of social stratification will be the core of the first part of the course. Psychosocial implications linked to social asymmetry, in terms of status and power differential among groups, will be deeper analyzed. In the second part of the course, political psychology will be introduced, putting strong attention on processes of social construction through with consensus and dissent, iniquity and inequality are generated, maintained, explained and legitimated.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Brown, R. (2005). Psicologia sociale dei gruppi. Bologna, il Mulino.
Caricati, L. (2006). Relazioni tra gruppi. Roma, Carocci.
Catellani, P. (2011). Psicologia Politica, 2° Edizione. Bologna, il Mulino.
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures will be the main didactical method in which teacher will explain and illustrate the issues of the course through informatics support and slides. However, strong attention will be put on the active participation of students who will be stimulated to discuss problems linked to the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
Final examination will be written with optional oral examination. Students who attend the course will have the opportunity to take the exam via in-course tests. The examination will allow evaluating the student’s knowledge and interpretative skill on the main topics of the course.
Other information
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