SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICS

The course aims at the following learning objectives
a) knowledge and understanding of the central issues sociology and political sociology
b) to apply this knowledge to present society and politics
c) to promote the ability of making judgment by classroom discussions and the analysis of case studies;
d) to promote communication abilities, such as how to communicate in English
e) to promote learning abilities so as to develop and consolidate competence in the field of sociology and politics, elaborating a critical judgment in oral and written form.

Through the course, students will :
a) Adquire knowledge and understanding of the central issues sociology and political sociology
b) Improve their ability to apply this knowledge to present society and politics, improve their ability to critically read social and political phenomena
c) Improve their ability of making judgment by classroom discussions and the analysis of case studies;
d) Improve their communication abilities, such as how to communicate in English

Language skills, according to the admission requirements

The course aims to provide an introduction to the sociological analysis of contemporary political processes, with special focus on cultural approaches and cultural sociology.
To this aim, after an introduction to sociology and political sociology (where the main concepts, paradigms and theoretical approaches of the discipline will be illustrated), the course will focus on the following topics:
- Cultural perspectives on politics and society. The relevance of cultural processes in the political sphere (e.g. cultural orientations, values and representations, politicization of social identities, construction of social meanings) will be discussed in class. Special attention will be paid to the role of “difference” in contemporary politics and society, and to the interplay of gender, social class, ethnicity/race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, etc., in the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion.
- Social movements and social change. Main sociological approaches to the study of social movements will be presented and discussed in class and through the referral readings (Resource mobilization theory, New social movements, Global social movements). Special attention will be given to the application of different perspectives to the analysis of concrete case-studies, as well as to the relation between social movements and social change.
- Transformation of citizenship in contemporary societies. In this part of the course, the current sociological debate on citizenship will be analysed and the concept of citizenship will be problematized. Special attention will be given to: the debate on citizenship beyond the nation-state; the emergence of new domains of rights beyond the civic-political-social triad (e.g. environmental, sexual, reproductive, cultural rights), the debates around gender, multiculturalism and citizenship.

1. “Contemporary Political Sociology: globalization, politics, and power” by Kate Nash. Wiley-Blackwell. 2nd edition 2010

2. Selected chapters from:
“Sociology” by Anthony Giddens & Philip W. Sutton. Polity press. 8th edition, 2017. (List of selected chapters will be provided at the beginning of the course)
Older editions are acceptable, but make sure to find the corresponding chapters. If they are missing, you will have to borrow the newer edition.

Additional readings will be detailed at the beginning of the course

The evaluation will be based on a written exam, aimed at assessing theoretical and applied knowledge in the field of sociology and politics, communication abilities and autonomy of judgement.
The exam will consist of open questions relative to the themes of the lectures and of the reference readings.


The assessment concerns:
- the understanding of the main concepts addressed during the course;
- clarity
- ability to analyse and critically engage with social and political phenomena addressed during the course

During the test personal notes and books are not allowed

The course consists of lectures and seminars in which the main concepts will be introduced and applied to relevant social and political phenomena, also by means of visual documents (ppt presentation, videos, pictures).
Students are invited to contribute with critical questions and comments to the classroom discussion.

English

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development