Sociology is the study of the social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. This course offers a general introduction to sociology, with the aim to understand and apply key sociological concepts and social theories.
The course aims to develop the knowledge and skills that are needed for students to analyze the organization of societies.
This objective will be accomplished through introducing students to the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology.
The primary objective of this course is to awaken students’ sociological imagination, by helping them to see how social forces and social environments affect human behaviors in multiple and complex ways.
Beginning with an examination of core sociological ideas on how societies are organized and the inherent strengths and problems within different social arrangements, the class then explores these sociological principles through concrete studies .
Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of general sociology; applying knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology to analyze the organization of societies; ability to examine with scientific methods socio-cultural phenomena; disciplinary communication skills; ability to understand classical problems of sociology.
54 hours, 8 UFC, in-class, with slides, film and web pages projection
- Sociological inquiry and models of society;
- cultural and social functions of sociology;
- logic of inquiry in sociology;
- the structure of social action; individual and social systems;
- basic social systems in modern societies;
- globalization and world society.
- The social construction of reality.
Required literature:
- N.J. Smelser, Manuale di sociologia, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2011, 5° ed.. Esclusi capitoli XV, XVII e XVIII
- Jedlowski P., Il mondo in questione. Introduzione alla storia del pensiero sociologico, Carocci eidtore (edizioni dopo il 2009).
Recommended literature (choice one monograph):
A scelta uno solo tra i seguenti volumi:
S.Benasso, Generazione shuffle. Traiettorie biografiche tra reversibilità e progetto, Aracne, 2013.
G. Petti, L. Stagi, Nel nome del padre. Paternità e governo della famiglia neoliberale, Ombre Corte, 2015.
L. Stagi, Food Porn. L’ossessione per il cibo in tv e nei social media, Egea, 2016.
LUISA STAGI (President)
MAURO PALUMBO
GENERAL SOCIOLOGY
Written and oral examination
Learning results will be verified by written (semistructured) and oral examination, to check Knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, disciplinary communication skills and ability to apply knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology to analyze the organization of societies. Written examination is about Manuale di sociologia; oral examination is about all required literature. Written examination: the grades are on a scale of 30; it is necessary to have at least 18/30 in the written exam for the oral exam.
