Learning objectives
The seminar intends to solicit knowledge and understanding capability of some social phenomena in the late modern, global and digitalized era. The concepts of multiculturalism and social cohesion are declined not only from a theoretical point of view, but also as a driving force to experiment qualitative techniques of social research (Area I).
The collection of empirical materials is closely related to the exercise of critical reading of the transformation processes of complex societies. The critical reading is a prerequisite of the design of social interventions on the territory (Area II).
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The seminar explores the aspects of the communicative and cultural processes typical of multicultural societies; addressing in particular the concept of identity construction and good practices of social cohesion promotion.
In particular the following topics will be object of theoretical reflection:
- Ego/Alter: identity construction starting from the interaction with the “other-than-self”;
- “We”/The Others”; “the Stranger”;
- “Diversity”/”Difference” and social bargaining forms
- “Multicultural society”, “Intercultural society”, “Social cohesion”;
- The life story interview as a methodological tool: cognitive survey exemples to plan social intervention;
Included workshop activities.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Bauman Z., Intervista sull’identità, Laterza 2006.
Berger P. L, Luckmann T., La realtà come costruzione sociale, Il Mulino, Bologna 2007 (ed. or. 1966).
Bichi R., L’intervista biografica. Una proposta metodologica, Vita e Pensiero, Milano, 2004.
Bosi A., Come stai in famiglia? Inventare storie per conoscere storie vere, Battei 2006.
Bosi A., L’identico o della differenza, Edizioni Unicopli, 2011.
Bosi A. (a cura di), Città e civiltà. Nuove frontiere di cittadinanza, Franco Angeli, 2009.
Jedlowski P., In un passaggio d'epoca. Esercizi di teoria sociale, Orthotes Ed., Napoli 2012.
Teaching methods
The seminar is divided into:
4. Lectures to introduce the theoretical concepts;
5. Shared reading of excerpts from the reference list and brainstorming;
6. Workshop activities in groups.
Assessment methods and criteria
The qualifying examination is the production of a written essay to be submitted in digital format.
The student is required to connect together the different keywords, especially addressing the concept of "cultural identity".
According to the methodological guidance provided throughout the seminary, the student is asked to interview a subject identified as "other-than-self” regarding to one aspect of the identity, which he has previously identified as the focus of the investigation.
Therefore, the thesis must be focused on the experience of the student as "interviewer/listener", with particular regard to:
- focus of the investigation, explaining the choice
- interview outline
- analysis of the words of "interviewed/narrator"
Other information
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