SOCIOLOGY

The course tries to complete the competences characterizing the students' profile with the contribution of contemporary sociological thought. Therefore, the main sociological approaches will be presented in order to try to interpret social change, in an increasingly complex and articulated global context. Finally, the cultural tools to critically read the links between economy and society will be provided.

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 program of the course 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 that will be explored both with reference to classical theory and with attention to the most recent social changes. Finally, we will make some references to the fundamentals of social research methodology.

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 present in the volumes indicated in the bibliography.
Students will be required to demonstrate specific knowledge of the topics covered and will be particularly appreciated 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.

Classroom lectures with discussion of classic topics and examples of social research. Active and critical student participation is especially valued.

Italian

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