SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES

This course offers an introduction to sociological way(s) of thinking. As such, it represents a bridge between the distinct discilinary fields constituting the PISE program. In fact, sociological theories find themselves at the crossroads of the major philosophical, economic and political science approaches that have developed throughout the XIX and XX centuries and which PISE students explore in the core courses.

At the end of the course the students:

1. wil have knowledge and understading of
- the key questions tackled by the sociological theory
- sociological key terms and concepts
- the main theoretical perspectives in sociology

2. will be able to:
- use an appropriate sociological terminology
- analyze a problem, a phenomenon or situation from a specific theoretical perspective
- recognize a theoretical perspective within the analysis of social, economic and political issues and their solution.
- compare different theoretical perspectives looking at the same social, political, economi problem.

3. Will be able to critically analyse:
- how social, political or economic problems are being defined
- how social, political or economic problems are being faced

4. Will be able to:
- summarize in writing the content of the most important sociological concepts and theories and refer to their applications to daily life and to the analysis of social, political and economic phenomena.
- interact (with peers) within a critical and respectuful discussion and using the knoledge and abilities acquired during the course with respect socially, politically and economically relevant topics.


5. Will be able to
- consult, study and critically summarize the contents of the course bibliography:
- connect the theories and concepts tackled in the course with relevant social economic and political problems and discussion topics, as well as with the analyses proposed by other disciplinary fields.

No specific previous knowledge required

What is society and what makes it possible? What are social inequalities and where do the come from? What is the role of conflict in social life? What kind of meaning do daily social interactions have? What is cutlure, what are social institutions? How does society change?
The course introduces the students to these and other key questions and issues that are at teh core of the sociological way of thinking, as well as to the central concepts and theoretical perspective that sociologists have developed to address those very questions.
The aim of the course is to provide the students with a terminology and a conceptual toolkit for the analysis of social life, in relation also to individual experiences.
The introduction and discussion of the contribution of both classical and more contemporary thinkers will highlight both what it means to "think sociologically" and how varied the field of sociology is.
Theorical and conceptual discussions will go along with the analysis of relevant social phenomena within contemporary societies.

Literature of the course for all (attending and non attending students) - TO BE CONFIRMED

1) Handbook:
Ritzer & Stepniski (2017) Sociological Theory, New York: McGraw-Hill. (10th edition)
A selection of complusory chapters will be made known before the beginning of the course.

2) Selected chapters (list will follow) from:
- Calhoun et al. (eds) (2012), Classical Sociological Theory, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
- Calhoun et al. (eds) (2012), Contemporary Sociological Theory, Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Attending students:
- 60% - Written exam with open questions aimed at assessing knowledge and understanding as well as the ability to recognize and apply concepts and theories and to critically analyze issues and problems
- 20% - Test during and at the end of the course (content and organization will follow)

Non-attending students:
- 80% - Written exam with open questions aimed at assessing knowledge and understanding as well as the ability to recognize and apply concepts and theories and to critically analyze issues and problems
- 20% - Oral exam

The course consists of lectures and group meetings.
During groups meetings the teacher will propose exercices, discussion topics, questionings that are expected to be prepared at home (individually or in groups). The students will report on these during class. Attendance and active partcipation are highly recommended.

Only students regulary attending the course will be considered as "attenting students".

English

The course materials (course organization; final literature and distribution during the course, exercises and discussion topics, powerpoint presentations) are available on Moodle. Students are kindly asked to register with the Moodle page of the course well in advance in oder to facilitate the organization of the activities.

Students are considered to be "attending" if:
- they attend at least 80% of the lectures
- they attend at least 80% of the group meetings
- they contribute to class discussions and exercises and they handed in assignments in time.
All other students are considered "non attending".

written and oral