State, Society and Economic Regulation
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with basic knowledge and fundamental conceptual tools to analyse economic phenomena from a sociological perspective. More specifically, it seeks to offer elements for the theoretical understanding of the social dimension of economic life, as well as tools for the knowledge and analysis of empirical domains in which social and economic relations—and their transformations—are particularly relevant today.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the development of economic sociology, distinguishing between classical and contemporary approaches;
- Analyse economic behaviour as socially and institutionally embedded processes;
- Recognize the role of institutions, social networks, and interpersonal relationships in the functioning of markets and the construction of economic dynamics;
- Critically examine core concepts such as economic rationality, money, the labour market, and finance as socially constructed institutions;
- Apply the theories and tools of economic sociology to the analysis of concrete cases involving employment, careers, market regulation, and contemporary economic transformations.
- Understand the development of economic sociology, distinguishing between classical and contemporary approaches;
- Analyse economic behaviour as socially and institutionally embedded processes;
- Recognize the role of institutions, social networks, and interpersonal relationships in the functioning of markets and the construction of economic dynamics;
- Critically examine core concepts such as economic rationality, money, the labour market, and finance as socially constructed institutions;
- Apply the theories and tools of economic sociology to the analysis of concrete cases involving employment, careers, market regulation, and contemporary economic transformations.
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
Introduction to economic sociology
From classical to new economic sociology: the origins of economic sociology; institutions and economic behavior; theories of economic action.
The economic sociology of the market: rational behavior and the market system; the social embeddedness of economic relations.
The social construction of economic relations: the embeddedness of markets; money and finance as social institutions; the labor market and social relations.
Social networks and market functioning: social networks and structural embeddedness; employment and career dynamics; networks and the social functioning of markets.
From classical to new economic sociology: the origins of economic sociology; institutions and economic behavior; theories of economic action.
The economic sociology of the market: rational behavior and the market system; the social embeddedness of economic relations.
The social construction of economic relations: the embeddedness of markets; money and finance as social institutions; the labor market and social relations.
Social networks and market functioning: social networks and structural embeddedness; employment and career dynamics; networks and the social functioning of markets.
Prerequisites for admission
Good skills in learning, writing, and oral communication.
Teaching methods
Lectures on the key concepts and analytical tools of the discipline, complemented by student-led discussions on relevant case studies and readings.
Teaching Resources
The required readings and course materials will be announced during the first lecture and made available on the course's MyAriel webpage.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Final written exam with open-ended questions. The test covers the topics discussed during lectures, the required readings, and the materials presented in class and made available by the instructor on MyAriel.
The evaluation of the written work is based on the following criteria:
i) relevance and accuracy in answering the question;
ii) clarity and completeness of the exposition;
iii) appropriate use of relevant concepts;
iv) ability to critically and originally elaborate on the acquired content.
The evaluation of the written work is based on the following criteria:
i) relevance and accuracy in answering the question;
ii) clarity and completeness of the exposition;
iii) appropriate use of relevant concepts;
iv) ability to critically and originally elaborate on the acquired content.
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 6
: 6 hours
: 14 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
: 14 hours
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Mori Anna
Professor(s)