Intimate Relationships, Family and Life Course
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course provides a general analysis of family changes and biographical paths at political, social, cultural and demographic level in the last decades. Then the course will target in particular two factors of family change: the first linked to the social policies, the second linked to the relational aspects. Demographic changes (ageing population, low fertility) and increasing in marital instability have changed households composition posing new challenges for policy interventions. As communication has become increasingly important with globalization, focusing the attention on social network use could facilitate an understanding of emotional changes. Social network use is often seen as responsible for interpersonal, emotional or relational decommitment. The aim of the course is to provide analytical tools and educational skills useful to recognize the origins and causes of modernization processes at family and emotional level. These tools and skills may be useful in some professional activities in the field of social research, communication, journalism and social organizations.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should have developed knowledge and understanding of the family changing processes and of the social, political, demographic and cultural factors involved; Knowledge and understanding of relational changing in partnership and among generations; Applying knowledge and understanding of the long-term effects of changing on household. Autonomy of judgement, and students' communicative capabilities will be developed by reading of scientific articles and discussions during the lessons. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in respect to the students' capacity of understanding, applying knowledge, developing a critical analysis of the theoretical perspectives introduced by the course.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
The course programme is divided into two modules. The first module focuses on the evolution of household in Europe with particular reference to Italy. It examines the transformations in family behaviour starting from the second half of the last century, linking them to the second demographic transition. Specifically, the lessons of the first module addresses the following topics: the The Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure studies and the process of nuclearisation of the European family; marriage patterns in European history; the process of nuclearisation of the Italian family and the household regional differences; the second demographic transition and changes in family behaviour; fertility trends; marriage and divorce; cohabitation.
The second module focuses on changes in the late modernity of family, emotional and sexual relationships. With regard to the change in family relationships, the following topics are addressed during the lessons: the relationships between family members as a consequence of demographic changes in recent decades (ageing population and low fertility); the role of women in the family solidarity network. Concerning the change in the sentimental and sexual environment, the lessons focus on the transformation of courtship and partner choice behaviour; gender differences in sentimental engagement; and the consequences of the affirmation of consumer culture on eroticism and sexual desire.
The second module focuses on changes in the late modernity of family, emotional and sexual relationships. With regard to the change in family relationships, the following topics are addressed during the lessons: the relationships between family members as a consequence of demographic changes in recent decades (ageing population and low fertility); the role of women in the family solidarity network. Concerning the change in the sentimental and sexual environment, the lessons focus on the transformation of courtship and partner choice behaviour; gender differences in sentimental engagement; and the consequences of the affirmation of consumer culture on eroticism and sexual desire.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific knowledge is required to attend the course.
Teaching methods
The course includes frontal lessons during which slides will be presented (some of which can be found on the Ariel platform). During the lessons space will be dedicated to moments of discussion and confrontation with the students on the topics covered. The didactics will be integrated with the screening of films and documentaries about the Italian family. Students will be asked to discuss and comment on the contents of the films in the light of the interpretative tools acquired during the lessons.
Teaching Resources
Santoro M., Conoscere la famiglia e i suoi cambiamenti, Carocci, Roma, 2013
A text of students' choice between:
- Illouz E., Perché l'amore fa soffrire, il Mulino, Bologna, 2013.
- Santoro M., Le libere unioni in Italia, Carocci, Roma, 2012
For attending students during the lessons the necessary bibliography will be provided to deepen the specific topics dealt with.
A text of students' choice between:
- Illouz E., Perché l'amore fa soffrire, il Mulino, Bologna, 2013.
- Santoro M., Le libere unioni in Italia, Carocci, Roma, 2012
For attending students during the lessons the necessary bibliography will be provided to deepen the specific topics dealt with.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is written. The examination takes place in the form of open-ended questions on topics related to the programme, with particular reference to the texts indicated. The assessment will take into account the ability to critically address the programme topics, to understand the evolution of family behaviour in Italy over the last two centuries and the demographic and family changes in Europe in recent decades.
Attending students can choose to participate in team work and produce a written essay to be discussed in the classroom on a specific topic agreed with the course professor. This work will be discussed in the classroom and if its assessment receives a good evaluation, will complement the final exam mark.
Attending students can choose to participate in team work and produce a written essay to be discussed in the classroom on a specific topic agreed with the course professor. This work will be discussed in the classroom and if its assessment receives a good evaluation, will complement the final exam mark.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Santoro Monica
Shifts:
-
Professor:
Santoro MonicaProfessor(s)