Sociology
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
This course is a general introduction to sociology as a scientific discipline, covering essential concepts and models, main methodological tools, and basic theories of modern and contemporary sociology. Students will critically reflect on the historical origin of contemporary societies, on social structures and their evolution over time, and on social actions, interactions and behaviors, with a particular focus on globalized Western societies. In addition to theoretical and applied knowledge, the course will facilitate the development of competences of critical reading of scientific texts, interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data about social phenomena, and scientific communication.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will acquire (1) knowledge of fundamental concepts, theories and paradigms in modern and contemporary sociology; (2) ability to critically read and understand scientific texts in sociology and other social sciences; (3) ability to recognize, discuss and compare theoretical propositions and arguments in sociology, evaluating them in light of empirical evidence; (4) knowledge of the main empirical results from contemporary sociological research; (5) ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative data on social phenomena; (6) ability to appropriately communicate knowledge and scientific results from social research.
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
A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
In case of emergency, lectures and exams will be held online
Course syllabus
The course is structured as follows: 1) Classics (Durkheim, Weber, Simmel & Elias, Blau/Homans and the 'Social Exchange Theory'); 2) Thinking like a sociologist (questions, theories, methods and perspectives); 3) Opinions; 4) Norms; 5) Social Networks; 6) Groups; 7) Stratification and social mobility; 8) Resources; 9) Topics.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite.
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars on classics and real time survey experiments.
Teaching Resources
Van Tubergen, F. (2020). Introduction to Sociology. Routledge, London.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written text with a mix of multiple choice and open questions
L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
(1) Classic scholars and works in sociology. (2) Sociological topics, problems and questions. (4) Sociological theories and methods. (4) Culture, opinions, norms. (5) Relations and networks. (6) Social groups. (7) Inequalities, stratification, and mobility. (8) Resources. (9) Special topics (migration, sociology of health, environmental sociology). A detailed syllabus and weekly schedule is posted on the Ariel website of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisite.
Teaching methods
Lectures, in-depth seminars on classical scholars in sociology, survey experiments, in-class activities based on reading and discussion of texts and interpretation of data and statistics.
Teaching Resources
Van Tubergen, F. (2022). Introduzione alla sociologia. Il Mulino.
van Tubergen, F. (2020). Introduction to Sociology (1st edition). Routledge.
Manza, J., Arum, R., & Haney, L. (2018). Progetto sociologia: Guida all'immaginazione sociologica (M. Santoro, Ed.; Seconda edizione). Pearson.
Manza, J., Arum, R., & Haney, L. (2018). The Sociology Project 2.5: Introducing the sociological imagination (2nd edition). Pearson.
van Tubergen, F. (2020). Introduction to Sociology (1st edition). Routledge.
Manza, J., Arum, R., & Haney, L. (2018). Progetto sociologia: Guida all'immaginazione sociologica (M. Santoro, Ed.; Seconda edizione). Pearson.
Manza, J., Arum, R., & Haney, L. (2018). The Sociology Project 2.5: Introducing the sociological imagination (2nd edition). Pearson.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written test with multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions. The test evaluates knowledge of essential concepts, models and methodological tools, theories and arguments, currents of thought, and main findings from empirical research in sociology. It requires the ability to summarize and connect disparate concepts, theories and topics from modern and contemporary sociological scholarship.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)