Society, Law, and Development
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course's objective is primarily to explore the basic sociological concepts in the understanding of modern societies and their development, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. The workshop on Social mobility and social inequality will examine the theoretical approaches of the social sciences to inequalities.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- articulate orally and in writing an original and critical stance on the different social theories concerning the functioning of social groups and individual behaviour.
- understand and evaluating critically the core sociological and socio-legal concepts, which are relevant to sustainable development;
- understanding the methodology of formulating hypotheses and verifying testable propositions in the social sciences.
- articulate orally and in writing an original and critical stance on the different social theories concerning the functioning of social groups and individual behaviour.
- understand and evaluating critically the core sociological and socio-legal concepts, which are relevant to sustainable development;
- understanding the methodology of formulating hypotheses and verifying testable propositions in the social sciences.
Lesson period: First semester
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 semester
Course syllabus
SOCIETY, LAW, AND DEVELOPMENT (Prof. Luigi Cominelli)
(5 ECTS)
· Introduction: sustainability and society (unit 1)
· Social Action and Organizations (unit 2)
· Groups, classes and inequality (unit 3)
· Law, conflict and deviance (unit 4)
· Nature, behavior and emotion (unit 5)
· Sustainability and consumption (unit 6)
· Development and globalization (unit 7)
Sociology workshop "Social Mobility and Social Inequality" (prof. Valeria Verdolini) - Course topics (4 ECTS):
The course aims to tackle inequalities in contemporary society moving from structuralist and
post-structuralist approaches. The first three lessons will explore sociological theories on
inequalities, analysis of social mobilities, and the differences between the macro and micro
level.
The second part of the course will focus on specific topics and declinations of inequalities:
gender, migration, race, healthcare, and climate change.
The last lesson will approach possible instruments and solutions developed over time
and space.
Unit 1: What is inequality?
Unit 2: What social mobility is?
Unit 3: Macro and micro inequalities
Unit 4: Gender inequalities
Unit 5: border inequalities and migration
Unit 6: Race inequalities: the case of the prison system
Unit 7: inequalities and climate change
Unit 8: health inequalities: the case of the Covid-19 pandemic
Unit 9: Possible solutions? Education, welfare, and decoloniality
Unit 10: Possible solutions? Education, welfare, and decoloniality (part 2)
(5 ECTS)
· Introduction: sustainability and society (unit 1)
· Social Action and Organizations (unit 2)
· Groups, classes and inequality (unit 3)
· Law, conflict and deviance (unit 4)
· Nature, behavior and emotion (unit 5)
· Sustainability and consumption (unit 6)
· Development and globalization (unit 7)
Sociology workshop "Social Mobility and Social Inequality" (prof. Valeria Verdolini) - Course topics (4 ECTS):
The course aims to tackle inequalities in contemporary society moving from structuralist and
post-structuralist approaches. The first three lessons will explore sociological theories on
inequalities, analysis of social mobilities, and the differences between the macro and micro
level.
The second part of the course will focus on specific topics and declinations of inequalities:
gender, migration, race, healthcare, and climate change.
The last lesson will approach possible instruments and solutions developed over time
and space.
Unit 1: What is inequality?
Unit 2: What social mobility is?
Unit 3: Macro and micro inequalities
Unit 4: Gender inequalities
Unit 5: border inequalities and migration
Unit 6: Race inequalities: the case of the prison system
Unit 7: inequalities and climate change
Unit 8: health inequalities: the case of the Covid-19 pandemic
Unit 9: Possible solutions? Education, welfare, and decoloniality
Unit 10: Possible solutions? Education, welfare, and decoloniality (part 2)
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites beyond those required for admission to the degree program.
Teaching methods
The course Society, Law, and Development examines the major theories of power, status, social stratification, justice, development, and bureaucracy, drawing on contemporary empirical research and selected readings from the classics of sociology and the social sciences. Building on the theoretical foundations and core concepts of sociology, the course also introduces the methods of social research, enabling students to understand both the potential and the limitations of empirical field research.
The second part of the course explores the social foundations of development, underdevelopment, and inequality, focusing on the dynamics of social change at both the international and the individual levels. The third part examines the reciprocal relationship between society and the legal system, analyzing how law both shapes and is shaped by major social processes. Particular attention is devoted to law as a social institution, perceptions of justice, conflict management and dispute resolution, and the social implications of globalization and migration.
The Workshop on Social Mobility and Social Inequality complements the course by examining in greater depth the interconnected phenomena of social inequality and social mobility from both local and global perspectives. It also explores the role of law in creating and maintaining power relations based on identity categories such as gender, race, and class, as well as their intersections. Drawing on a broad range of theoretical perspectives—including postcolonial and critical approaches—the workshop provides students with analytical tools for understanding the legal and social dimensions of inequality and social mobility.
The second part of the course explores the social foundations of development, underdevelopment, and inequality, focusing on the dynamics of social change at both the international and the individual levels. The third part examines the reciprocal relationship between society and the legal system, analyzing how law both shapes and is shaped by major social processes. Particular attention is devoted to law as a social institution, perceptions of justice, conflict management and dispute resolution, and the social implications of globalization and migration.
The Workshop on Social Mobility and Social Inequality complements the course by examining in greater depth the interconnected phenomena of social inequality and social mobility from both local and global perspectives. It also explores the role of law in creating and maintaining power relations based on identity categories such as gender, race, and class, as well as their intersections. Drawing on a broad range of theoretical perspectives—including postcolonial and critical approaches—the workshop provides students with analytical tools for understanding the legal and social dimensions of inequality and social mobility.
Teaching Resources
The study materials consist of selected chapters from the following textbooks, all of which are available through the University of Milan Digital Library or as open-access resources:
- Frank W. Elwell, Sociocultural Systems (available at: https://www.aupress.ca/books/120219-sociocultural-systems/)
- The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology
- The Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Sociology
- The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Sociology
- The Handbook of Sociological Science (Edward Elgar Publishing)
The complete list of required readings is available on the Ariel course website.
- Frank W. Elwell, Sociocultural Systems (available at: https://www.aupress.ca/books/120219-sociocultural-systems/)
- The Cambridge Handbook of Sociology
- The Cambridge Handbook of Environmental Sociology
- The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Sociology
- The Handbook of Sociological Science (Edward Elgar Publishing)
The complete list of required readings is available on the Ariel course website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Class attendance and participation in discussions of the assigned readings
- A written examination
- An optional oral examination
- A written examination
- An optional oral examination
Modules or teaching units
Society, law, and development
GSPS-07/B - Sociology of Law and Deviance - University credits: 6
Lessons: 32 hours
Professor:
Cominelli Luigi
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Cominelli Luigi
Workshop on: Social mobility and social inequality
GSPS-07/B - Sociology of Law and Deviance - University credits: 3
Lessons: 31 hours
Professor:
Verdolini Valeria
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Verdolini ValeriaProfessor(s)
Reception:
Office hours: Monday 10,30 am-12,30 pm (online on MS Teams, Team code 7kv5eto)
Room 2011 - Sect. Philosophy and Sociology of Law - Dept. of Law "Cesare Beccaria" - Via Festa del Perdono 3