Global Societies and Rights
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at providing a critical understanding of globalization processes through the analysis of the main key-concepts, theories and methodologies developed in the field of social sciences for the empirical study of global phenomena. Through the analysis of globalization seen as a complex economic, cultural and political phenomenon, the course will offer the most suitable tools aimed at investigating the links existing between macro and micro levels, paying particular attention to the consequences of globalization on individuals, identities, organization of daily life, times and spaces of different societies. Finally, the course will allow students to gain familiarity with the language and theories existing in this field and to develop autonomy of judgement in the topics addressed (through written and/or oral presentations and team work).
Expected learning outcomes
Students are required to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the key concepts underlying globalization processes and the main theoretical approaches developed to study the global phenomena covered in the special section of the program: rights and global justice; international migration, borders, and the new global order; processes of impoverishment/precarization and new forms of exploitation; intercultural relations and plural identities; emerging subjectivities and new social movements.
The use of appropriate language and the ability to connect cross-disciplinary content will be particularly appreciated.
The use of appropriate language and the ability to connect cross-disciplinary content will be particularly appreciated.
Lesson period: First 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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
The course is articulated in two parts. The first part is introductory and is aimed at providing a suitable tool-box in order to deal with the historical and social evolution of globalization, paying particular attention to its economic, socio-cultural and political-institutional dynamics. In particular, this first part is aimed at addressing the sociological debate on globalization, its main authors, theories and key-concepts.
In the second part, attention will be devoted to an in-depth analysis of a number of transformations and conflicts, at social, political, economic and cultural levels, which affect contemporary societies. In particular, this part will address the following topics: globalization and new social movements (from the global justice, feminist and LGBTQI+ movements to environmental movements); intercultural relations, racisms and plural identities (with special attention to the new forms of racism and the new anti-racist and post-colonial movements, such as Black Lives Matter); international migration and new forms of exploitation (in particular migrants' exploitation in prostitution and agriculture); forced migration across the Mediterranean; societies and rights in times of global crisis (with attention devoted to the new conflicts).
In the second part, attention will be devoted to an in-depth analysis of a number of transformations and conflicts, at social, political, economic and cultural levels, which affect contemporary societies. In particular, this part will address the following topics: globalization and new social movements (from the global justice, feminist and LGBTQI+ movements to environmental movements); intercultural relations, racisms and plural identities (with special attention to the new forms of racism and the new anti-racist and post-colonial movements, such as Black Lives Matter); international migration and new forms of exploitation (in particular migrants' exploitation in prostitution and agriculture); forced migration across the Mediterranean; societies and rights in times of global crisis (with attention devoted to the new conflicts).
Prerequisites for admission
A basic knowledge of the sociological language may facilitate the understanding of the topics addressed, although no specific prerequisite is required.
Teaching methods
The course includes frontal introductory lessons, seminars and discussions with experts and observers and students' active participation through discussions, group work, presentations and papers.
Teaching Resources
For the first part of the programme, students attending the course can rely on a reading list that will be circulated and made available on MyAriel.
Students not attending the course should refer, for the first part of course, to the following compulsory text:
- Marita Rampazi, Dilemmi globali. Introduzione alla sociologia della globalizzazione, Milano, EGEA, 2020, from p. 1 to p. 108;
Moreover it's required the study of one of texts listed below:
- Ulrich Beck, La metamorfosi del mondo, Roma, Laterza, 2017, (except chapter nr 2 "Giocare a essere Dio");
OR
- Ulrich Beck, Che cos'è la globalizzazione. Rischi e prospettive della società planetaria, Roma, Carocci, 2018 (ultima ristampa o precedenti edizioni): da p. 13 a p. 110.
For the second part of the programme, students attending the course are required to choose 1 topic, among the ones listed below, and prepare a group discussion. The bibliography related to each of the topics will be disseminated during the first weeks of lessons and made available on the MyAriel web-page of the course. The topics that will be addressed in the special part of the programme are:
1. Globalization and new social movements
2. Intercultural relations, racisms and plural identities
3. International migration and new forms of exploitation
4. Forced migration across the Mediterranean
5. Societies, rights in times and new conflicts.
For the second part of the programme, students not attending the course should refer to the following texts:
- a collection of articles focussing on the topics addressed in the course which will be
Students not attending the course should refer, for the first part of course, to the following compulsory text:
- Marita Rampazi, Dilemmi globali. Introduzione alla sociologia della globalizzazione, Milano, EGEA, 2020, from p. 1 to p. 108;
Moreover it's required the study of one of texts listed below:
- Ulrich Beck, La metamorfosi del mondo, Roma, Laterza, 2017, (except chapter nr 2 "Giocare a essere Dio");
OR
- Ulrich Beck, Che cos'è la globalizzazione. Rischi e prospettive della società planetaria, Roma, Carocci, 2018 (ultima ristampa o precedenti edizioni): da p. 13 a p. 110.
For the second part of the programme, students attending the course are required to choose 1 topic, among the ones listed below, and prepare a group discussion. The bibliography related to each of the topics will be disseminated during the first weeks of lessons and made available on the MyAriel web-page of the course. The topics that will be addressed in the special part of the programme are:
1. Globalization and new social movements
2. Intercultural relations, racisms and plural identities
3. International migration and new forms of exploitation
4. Forced migration across the Mediterranean
5. Societies, rights in times and new conflicts.
For the second part of the programme, students not attending the course should refer to the following texts:
- a collection of articles focussing on the topics addressed in the course which will be
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam consists in an oral test whose results will be evaluated along the scale 18-30. Students are required to show the achievement of an adequate understanding of the key-concepts, authors, theories and questions dealt with during the course and a critical capacity to re-elaborate them. The use of a proper language and the ability to link together different contents and topics will be particularly appreciated.
Students attending the course will have the chance to participate, during the lessons, to seminars and meetings with experts and group discussions and will participate to ad hoc evaluation modalities which foresee an intermediate written exam and the drafting of a final paper focussing on one of the topics addressed in the special part of the programme.
Students attending the course will have the chance to participate, during the lessons, to seminars and meetings with experts and group discussions and will participate to ad hoc evaluation modalities which foresee an intermediate written exam and the drafting of a final paper focussing on one of the topics addressed in the special part of the programme.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Presso lo studio della docente (piano ammezzato sopra al bar) o su Teams