Local Economic Development Sociology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course provides the students with the basic knowledge and analytical tools to understand local economic development, with special reference to the role of institutional factors, collaborative enterprise networks, the innovation system, and the increasing interdependence of production systems. Particular attention is devoted to analyse the case of Italian industrial districts and their transformation since the 1970s as well as the recent emergence of the "knowledge and cultural economy", with special reference to urban areas.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will understand and will be able to present the basic factors influencing the patterns of local economic development within the global economy, with particular reference to the role of local institutions and policies, collaborative enterprise network, and the innovation system. Students will be able to apply the analytical framework developed during the course to empirical cases. Students will know the origin and recent transformations of the system of Italian industrial districts and the main features of the knowledge and cultural economy in urban areas.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second trimester
Should standard face-to-face classes be impossible due to health restrictions, classes will take place online through Microsoft Teams. Classes will be recorder and made available on the course website in Ariel (https://ariel.unimi.it/). The programme and content of the course will not be affected. Exams will be taken as online oral tests through Microsoft Teams. Evaluation criteria remain the same.
Course syllabus
For attending students:
The factors of local economic development. Local collective goods for production. The theories about the clustering of economic activities. Industrial districts in Italy: the 'Third Italy' and its transformation. Research and innovation in Italy. Immigration and production systems in Italy. Cities and the global economy.
For not attending students:
The factors of local economic development. Local collective goods for production. The theories about the clustering of economic activities. Industrial districts in Italy: the 'Third Italy' and its transformation. Research and innovation in Italy. Interest representation in Italy. Immigration and production systems in Italy. Economy, environment and sustainability. Cities and the global economy.
The factors of local economic development. Local collective goods for production. The theories about the clustering of economic activities. Industrial districts in Italy: the 'Third Italy' and its transformation. Research and innovation in Italy. Immigration and production systems in Italy. Cities and the global economy.
For not attending students:
The factors of local economic development. Local collective goods for production. The theories about the clustering of economic activities. Industrial districts in Italy: the 'Third Italy' and its transformation. Research and innovation in Italy. Interest representation in Italy. Immigration and production systems in Italy. Economy, environment and sustainability. Cities and the global economy.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have a general knowledge of issues concerning economic development and development policies. Student attending the degree in Social Sciences for Globalisation (GLO) would meet these requirements through the courses in Politics, Institutions and Development (first year) and Fundamentals of Economics (second year).
Teaching methods
Classes are mainly ex-cathedra. During the course, students are required to complete, outside the teaching hours and autonomously, a number of tests to assess their learning progress. The tests are then discussed collectively during dedicated classes. Besides the mandatory readings, a number of complementary readings are proposed to the students, with a view to provide the opportunity to further the knowledge of certain topics. Active participation through Q&As during classes in encouraged. Attendance is strongly encouraged.
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
-Perulli, P., Pichierri, A. (editors), La crisi italiana nel mondo globale. Economia e società del Nord, Torino, Einaudi [chapters "La crisi italiana e il Nord", "I territori delle imprese nell'economia globale", "Innovazioni senza sistemi", Sviluppo senza ricerca", "Le radici sociali dell'immigrazione", "Il Nord: una città regione globale?"].
-Assigned readings during the course.
-Allen J. Scott, Città e regioni nel nuovo capitalismo. L'economia sociale delle metropoli, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011.
For not attending students:
-Perulli, P., Pichierri, A. (editors), La crisi italiana nel mondo globale. Economia e società del Nord, Torino, Einaudi.
-Allen J. Scott, Città e regioni nel nuovo capitalismo. L'economia sociale delle metropoli, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011.
-Perulli, P., Pichierri, A. (editors), La crisi italiana nel mondo globale. Economia e società del Nord, Torino, Einaudi [chapters "La crisi italiana e il Nord", "I territori delle imprese nell'economia globale", "Innovazioni senza sistemi", Sviluppo senza ricerca", "Le radici sociali dell'immigrazione", "Il Nord: una città regione globale?"].
-Assigned readings during the course.
-Allen J. Scott, Città e regioni nel nuovo capitalismo. L'economia sociale delle metropoli, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011.
For not attending students:
-Perulli, P., Pichierri, A. (editors), La crisi italiana nel mondo globale. Economia e società del Nord, Torino, Einaudi.
-Allen J. Scott, Città e regioni nel nuovo capitalismo. L'economia sociale delle metropoli, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning assessment takes place through a final written exam with open questions. Written answers are evaluated according to the following criteria: ability to respond focussed way to the question; capacity to provide a clear and exhaustive answer; proper utilisation of the relevant concepts; capacity to re-elaborate in an original and critical manner what the student has learnt. Attending students have a dedicated exam. The final grade is in 30s and is communicated automatically through the registration system.
SPS/09 - ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF WORK AND ORGANIZATIONS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pedersini Roberto
Professor(s)