SOCIOLOGICAL LABORATORY II - WORKING GROUP

The working group is the phase of the course where students, in small groups, are supported in the production of an output in which they will demonstrate their ability to apply sociological concepts and theories to the real world.
In this way, the course provides useful tools to inquire into the dynamics of contemporary society at both micro and macrosocial levels and to formulate empirically and theoretically grounded interpretations and explanations.

At the end of the course, students are expected to:

1. Know and understand:
- the fundamental terms and concepts of sociology.
- the main theoretical perspectives in sociology.

2. Be able to:
- correctly use the sociological terminology acquired during the course.
- illustrate a situation, a problem, a policy proposal from a given theoretical perspective.
- recognize a theoretical perspective in political or policy discourse.
- compare different theoretical perspectives in addressing a social, political, or policy issue.
- critically analyze, based on the knowledge and skills acquired, social, political, or policy problems and how social problems are addressed.

3. Have acquired the ability to:
- write synthetically the main contents of sociological theories, emphasizing, through appropriate terminology, their most relevant applications to everyday life, social and political analysis, and social professions.
- orally synthesize and present, critically and respectfully, their observations regarding relevant questions and discussion topics for the course.
- orally synthesize and present group reflections.
- consult, study, and critically synthesize the contents of the reference bibliography.
- relate the themes and discussions proposed during the course (as well as the problems and discussion topics identified from journalistic sources, everyday and professional life, and politics) to the course content.

No specific prerequisite is required, although it is preferable to have knowledge of the main sociological theories.

What is society and what makes it possible? What is the meaning and role of social interactions? What are social conflict and cooperation? How can we explain an economic phenomenon through different sociological theories? How can we recognize, adopt, analyze, and/or compare different sociological perspectives on addressing a social, political, or policy issue or problem?
The course, by its laboratory nature, focuses on the application of theories, paradigms, perspectives, and methods specific to sociological analysis to problems, themes, events, and situations in the real world, identified in history and current affairs by the professor and groups of participating students.
Furthermore, each year, the professor selects a monographic topic that serves as the guiding theme for the entire course. For the academic year 2024/2025, the monographic theme of the course is that of face-to-face situated interactions.

Filippo Barbera (2023), “Le piazze vuote. Ritrovare gli spazi della politica”, Laterza, Roma
Other useful texts are those used for the courses in Foundations of Sociology and Sociology Laboratory I.

The learning outcomes are assessed through two written exams, one focusing on the topics of Sociology Laboratory I and the other concentrating on the topics of Sociology Laboratory II.
The second written exam is divided into two parts. This part of the exam is considered passed if a score of at least 10 points is obtained. The second part of the exam consists of two open-ended questions. This part of the exam is considered passed if a score of at least 6 points is obtained. Students who have attended (at least 70%) classes and related laboratory activities will only take the second part of the exam. The grade for the first part will be assigned by the respective instructor at the end of the lecture cycle.
The final grade is determined by the total scores obtained in both parts.
Assessment criteria for the first part (multiple-choice questions): The test comprises 20 multiple-choice questions, with three/four alternatives, of which only one is correct. One point is awarded for each correct answer, 0.5 points are deducted for each incorrect answer, and no points are deducted for unanswered questions. The maximum total score for the first part is 20 points.
Assessment criteria for the second part (open-ended questions): The exam consists of two open-ended questions. For each open-ended question, up to 6 points can be awarded, for a total of 12 points. The evaluation criteria for each response are: a) appropriateness and richness of content; b) clarity of exposition and disciplinary terminology; c) ability to synthesize and completeness, including through exemplification.
The two parts of the exam are not temporally constrained, thus students are free to choose to take the part related to Laboratory I or II at their discretion, and the results of the exams do not expire.

The course consists of lectures and seminar/laboratory sessions with smaller groups of attendees.
In this part of the course, students, organised in small groups, are guided in the production of a text/essay in which they will demonstrate having acquired the ability to apply the main concepts and theories of sociology to the real world.
Regular attendance and active participation in these sessions are highly recommended.

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