THEORIES AND ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITIES

The course introduces the study of social inequalities in the contemporary world aiming to achieve the following objectives: present the main theories and the main analytical tools concerning inequalities; provide in-depth knowledge of the causes, dimensions and forms of inequalities, with particular attention to the European and Italian context; give student skills and abilities to apply in studies and social work.

At the end of the course the student:
- has knowledge of the theoretical framework and concepts necessary for the study and analysis of inequalities;
- has a general framework of inequalities in the Western world, of main generative causes and their main forms (taken in time and space);
- is able to clearly formulate the content of the course, to use properly the current terminology in the field of inequalities, to argue in support of the principal theoretical hypotheses, to give examples in order to support or refute a hypothesis of analysis;
- is able to collect information, provide analysis and interpretations by applying acquired knowledge, providing relevant examples built autonomously;
- is able to communicate and interact with different audiences.

There are not pre-requirements.

Sociological theory and inequalities.
Global inequalities, international inequalities and internal inequalities: causes, dimensions, trasnformations.
Forms of inequalities: work, housing, race, health, education, gender, generations, environnement.
Ideology and inequalities.
Inequalities and social citizenship.

1) Mandatory book: Perocco F., Trasformazioni globali e nuove disuguaglianze, Franco Angeli.

2) Two books of your choice from the following:


On neoliberal globalisation and inequality:
- Gallino L., La lotta di classe dopo la lotta di classe, Laterza.

On labour transformations and labour inequality:
- Antunes R., Il privilegio della servitù. Il nuovo proletariato dei servizi nell'era digitale, Punto Rosso, esclusa parte 4.
- Antunes R. – Basso P. – Perocco F. (cur.), Il lavoro digitale, PM, solo i saggi in italiano, scaricabile qui http://www.socioscapes.org/index.php/sc/issue/view/2/1
- Filandri M., Lavorare non basta, Laterza.

On social polarisation and impoverishment:
- Aa.Vv., The Globalisation of Social Polarisation Within Nations, “Inequalities” 1 ,2024, scaricabile qui https://edizionicafoscari.unive.it/it/edizioni4/riviste/inequalities/2024/1/
- Case A. – Deaton A., Morti per disperazione e il futuro del capitalismo, Il Mulino.

On the criminalisation of poverty.
- Grande E., Guai ai poveri, Gruppo Abele.

On economic inequalities:
- Alacevich M. – Soci A., Breve storia della disuguaglianza, Laterza.

On the role of law in the production of inequalities:
- Pintor K., Il codice del capitale. Come il diritto crea ricchezza e disuguaglianza, Luiss University Press.

On the psychology of inequality:
- Volpato C., Le radici psicologiche della disuguaglianza, Laterza.

On racial inequality:
- Basso P., Razze schiave e razze signore, F. Angeli.
- Basso P., Razzismo di stato. Stati Uniti, Europa, Italia, F. Angeli.

On health inequalities:
- Sarti S. - Terraneo M., Studiare la salute, Carocci.
- Marmot M., La salute disuguale, Il Pensiero scientifico, esclusi i capitoli 7-8-9-10-11.
- Perocco F. – Rosignoli F. (cur.), Razzismo, ambiente, salute: razzismo ambientale e disuguaglianze di salute, esclusi i capitoli di Rougeon/Terribili/Mota, Germani/Rao/Rosignoli, Charrière/Cantoreggi, scaricabile qui http://www.socioscapes.org/index.php/sc/issue/view/4/3

On housing inequalities:
- Filandri M., Proprietari a tutti i costi. La disuguaglianza abitativa in Italia, Carocci.

On territorial inequalities:
- Coppola F. et al., Ricomporre i divari. Politiche e progetti territoriali contro le disuguaglianze e per la transizione ecologica, Il Mulino.
- Barbera, F. et al., Contro i borghi. Il Belpaese che dimentica i paesi, Donzelli.

On environmental inequalities:
- Davis M., Olocausti tardovittoriani. El Niño, le carestie e la nascita del Terzo Mondo, Feltrinelli.
- Rosignoli F., Giustizia ambientale. Come sono nate e cosa sono le disuguaglianze ambientali, Castelvecchi.
- Zamperini A., Menegatto M., Cattive acque. Contaminazione ambientale e comunità violate, UP Press, scaricabile qui https://www.padovauniversitypress.it/system/files/download-count/attachments/2023-09/9788869382437.pdf

Written exam. The exam aims to verify the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and contents of the course, the ability to apply knowledge and understanding, the ability to make connections and connections, the ability to rework in a personal way.
Learning is verified through a written composition/assignment, which includes the answer to three questions with open answers. The first question concerns the compulsory basic text (0-12 points). The second question concerns the first book of your choice (0-6 points). The third question (0-12 points) concerns the lecture notes or the second book of their choice: the student opts for one of the two possibilities, those who opt for the outline on the lecture notes are exempted from the second book of their choice.
Time available for writing the assignment: 3 hours.
During lessons and in moodle, further information on the exam is provided. For further information on the exam, please contact the professor.

written

A, grades between 18-22: sufficient knowledge and understanding skills applied to the program; limited ability to collect and/or interpret data, formulating autonomous judgments; sufficient communication skills, especially in relation to the use of the specific language of the course.
B, grades between 23-26: fair knowledge and understanding applied to the program; fair ability to collect and/or interpret data, formulating autonomous judgments; fair communication skills, especially in relation to the use of the specific language of the course.
C, grades between 27-30: good or excellent knowledge and understanding skills applied to the program; good or excellent ability to collect and/or interpret data, formulating independent judgments; fully appropriate communication skills, especially in relation to the use of the specific language of the course.
D, laude: it is awarded in the presence of knowledge and understanding applied to the program, excellent judgment and communication skills.

Lectures and seminars with discussion; case-studies.

Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion
Ca' Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities (Law 17/1999), and specific learning impairments (Law 170/2010). If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters) please contact the Disability and Accessibility Offices in Student Services: disabilita@unive.it.