Learning objectives
Learn and cultivate a sociological perspective on historical and contemporary phenomena
Prerequisites
Comprehension of a written text
Course unit content
The course is an introduction to classical and contemporary sociological thought. It proposes a course - articulating theories and themes of sociology - with a focus on interdisciplinary connections and the comparison of sociological perspectives that differ in their assumptions, articulation of theories, methods of investigation and ethical/political analysis.
Through the in-depth study of key themes of contemporary sociological debate, the course aims to stimulate understanding of associated life, sociological imagination and its application.
Full programme
The first part of the course (6 cfu) is devoted to classical authors, theoretical
perspectives and themes that marked the birth and development
of sociology in the 19th century. The genesis of the discipline, its distinctive dimensions and theories are presented: the structural-functionalist perspective, the
critical perspective and actor theories. For each theoretical perspective proposed
the assumptions, arguments, fundamental categories, themes and
themes and the main contemporary developments are mentioned. Among the themes,
particular attention is on the process of socialisation, the
institutions, notions of culture, power and inequality. Specific insights are offered on exponents of the discipline who have marked its history, including Durkheim, Marx, Weber,
Simmel, Mead, Parsons.
The second part of the course (6 cfu) is dedicated to an in-depth study of the
contemporary authors and the themes on which the current international sociological debate is centered.
Different theories of contemporary society are analyzed and compared on the same themes, including: globalization, social and cultural change, ecological justice and the transition to late-modernity. In turn, the topics are treated according to the discipline's key interpretative categories in an interdisciplinary dialogue.
Particular emphasis is placed on the theme of justice, of particular
interest in the sociological debate on the ethical/political level and in critical theory. Specific in-depth studies are offered on authors including Bourdieu, Goffman,
Habermas, Bauman, Beck, Giddens.
Bibliography
Exam 12 cfu: attending and non-attending students are required to prepare
GHERARDI L. (ed.) Scoprire la Sociologia: teorie e temi essenziali, Pearson, Milan 2020
Optional (for the 12 cfu exam only): GHERARDI L., Mimesis, Milan 2018.
It is optional to produce a short text (4-5 pages) of critical commentary on an aspect of your choice of this book. Commentary has to be written according to the rules of an academic text: particularly appreciated is the originality of the contribution, which highlights the personal reflexivity of the student. it is possible to link a notion from the book to a case, to produce a purely theoretical paper, etc. The text will be graded from 0 to 3 points, which will be added to the grade obtained in the examination and must be sent at least 3 days before the exam to teacher's email.
A list of the main notions on which the exam will be based is provided on Elly for the benefit of students, both attending and not attending.
Teaching methods
Lessons in presence, if the pandemic situation permits it, and cultivate the dialogue with students
Assessment methods and criteria
12 cfu: oral test
Other information
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