Sociology
A.Y. 2024/2025
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 can be attended as a single course.
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) Thinking like a sociologist (questions, theories, methods and perspectives); 2) Culture: opinions; 3) Culture: norms; 4) Relationships: social Networks; 5) Relationships: groups; 6) Inequalities: stratification and social mobility; 7) Inequalities: resources; 9) Topics: immigration and integration; 10) Topics: modernization; 11) Topics: religion.
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 10 multiple choice questions (2/30 points each correct answer) and 2 open answer questions (max 5/30 points each correct answer)
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Squazzoni Flaminio, Vacca Raffaele
L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
(1) Sociological topics, problems, and questions. (2) Sociological theories and methods. (3) Classical scholars and works in sociology. (4) Relations and networks. (5) Social groups. (6) Culture, opinions, social influence. (7) Social norms. (8) Inequalities, stratification, and mobility. (9) Resources. (10) Topics in substantive sociological research (e.g. migration, health inequalities, labor). 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, in-class online surveys, 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.
van Tubergen, F. (2020). Introduction to Sociology (1st edition). Routledge.
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. The test requires the ability to summarize and connect disparate concepts, theories and topics from modern and contemporary sociological scholarship.
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Vacca Raffaele
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Vacca RaffaeleProfessor(s)