SOCIOLOGY

The course is devoted to presenting the development of the sociological debate. The main sociological approaches that seek to interpret social change in an increasingly complex and articulated global context will be presented. Finally, an attempt will be made to provide the most appropriate cultural tools to critically read the links between economy and society.
The course fits into the path of Economics and Business students, but not exclusively, as a complement and contribution to the knowledge of society, its dynamics and its most recent evolution. In fact, economic, legal, management, statistical and mathematical skills can be integrated with sociological ones, in an interdisciplinary perspective, to complete the students' profile.

Attendance and active participation in the training activities proposed by the course and individual study will allow students to acquire specific knowledge and ability to understand contemporary social phenomena. The educational objective of the course, however, is not only cultural, but aims to provide students with the tools to interpret the reality that surrounds them and thus become capable of acting in a constantly changing context, playing a critical and active role. The study of sociology is in fact oriented: 1) to the critical analysis of social relations; 2) to the interpretation of social dynamics in the light of economic and cultural transformations; 3) to an individual and collective path of reflection and knowledge of social change.

The course is introductory and does not require prior knowledge or specific skills.

The course program plans to retrace the main themes of sociology as a science of society. Community and society, belonging and differences, identity and role, network and exchange, social capital and trust, norms, and power, local and global: these are the themes explored both with reference to classical theory and with attention to the most recent social changes.

Required texts:
1) Collins R. (2006), Teorie sociologiche, Il Mulino, Bologna: cap.: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10.
2) Baert P., Carreira Da Silva F. (2010), La teoria sociale contemporanea, Il Mulino, Bologna: cap.: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

The verification of learning requires a written test dedicated to the themes presented during the lessons and presented in the volumes indicated in the bibliography.
Students will be required to demonstrate specific knowledge of the topics covered and will particularly appreciate the critical ability to apply theoretical approaches to the analysis of contemporary society. Normally, the test consists of four open-ended questions and lasts about an hour.

Regarding how the grades will be awarded, regardless of whether attending or not:

1. points in the 18-22 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- sufficient knowledge and ability to understand the course content;
- limited ability to interpret information, making independent judgments;
- sufficient communication skills, about the use of written language and specialist language relating to public policy.

2. points in the 23-26 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- fair knowledge and ability to understand the course content;
- discrete ability to interpret information, making autonomous judgements;
- fair communication skills, about the use of written language and specialist language relating to public policy.

3. points in the 27-30 range will be awarded in the presence of:
- good or very good knowledge and understanding of the course content;
- good or very good ability to interpret information, making independent judgments;
- good or very good communication skills, about the use of written language and specialist language relating to public policy.

Summa cum laude will be awarded in the presence of excellent knowledge and skills.

Classroom lectures with discussion of classic topics and examples of social research.
Slides with the course summary will be presented, but they do not replace the compulsory texts and contain references to material (videos, images, etc.) found online.
Active and critical student participation is especially valued.

Italian

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