OVERVIEW

The aim of the teaching is to offer an introduction to sociology. In a first part it presents the thought of the most relevant classical and contemporary sociologists, while in a second part it deals with social institutions and processes. It provides the students with the basic skills needed to study and critically analyze the political and social issues at the very core of the whole study course.

It participates in the Project of the University of Genova on Innovative Teaching.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is set to offer sociological knowledge to study and understand how individuals and groups live in traditional, modern and postmodern societies, presenting the latest developments in sociological theory and research.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the teaching is to provide the students with sociological tools useful to analyse and understand contemporary societies, relying on the theoretical and empirical contributions of classic and modern authors.

At the end of the teaching, students will be able

• to know and use the basic glossary of social sciences;
• to understand the concepts brought about by the main authors in the history of the sociological thought, such as Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Simmel, as well as Mead, Parsons, Merton, Goffman and Garfinkel, and to find relations between them;
• to know the main mechanisms and processes characterizing social behaviour in its different dimensions and to use them in the explanation and in the comprehension of empirical cases.

PREREQUISITES

Even if it is a sociological topic, some basic knowledge of modern and contemporary history is required.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal teaching. Lectures will be grouped with regard to either authors or topics.

At the end of each teaching module, an online test will be carried out in order to check students' learning (not contributing, however, to the formation of the final marks for the exam).

If the health situation does not worsen, the teaching will be delivered "in presence" (not online).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

In the first part, the teaching deals with the main authors in the history of sociological thought, both classic and contemporary, paying specific attention to Comte, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel, Mead, Parsons, Merton, Goffman and Garfinkel.

The second part is set to study the main social institutions and processes, analyzing the dynamics of social behaviour in its different dimensions and contexts:

• the formation of modern society;
• the weft of the social fabric;
• culture and the rules of society;
• differentiation and inequalities;
• the reproduction of society;
• economy and society;
• population and territorial organization.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

PROGRAMME 10 CFU

F. Crespi, Il pensiero sociologico, Il Mulino, Bologna 2002 (except chapters: V, VII, VIII, XI e XII).

A. Bagnasco, M. Barbagli and A. Cavalli, Corso di sociologia, il Mulino, Bologna (last available edition, except chapters: VII, IX, XIII, XV, XVII, XXI e XXII).

PROGRAMME 9 CFU

F. Crespi, Il pensiero sociologico, Il Mulino, Bologna 2002 (except chapters: V, VII, VIII, XI e XII).

A. Bagnasco, M. Barbagli and A. Cavalli, Corso di sociologia, il Mulino, Bologna (last available edition, except chapters: VII, IX, XIII, XIV, XV, XVII, XXI e XXII).

PROGRAMME 6 CFU

F. Crespi, Il pensiero sociologico, Il Mulino, Bologna 2002 (except chapters: V, VII, VIII, XI e XII).

A. Bagnasco, M. Barbagli and A. Cavalli, Corso di sociologia, il Mulino, Bologna (last available edition, except chapters: VII, IX, XIII, XV, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI e XXII).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

AGOSTINO MASSA (President)

GRAZIELLA MARIA RITA MARTURANO

PAOLO PARRA SAIANI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes start in the second Semester.

Class schedule

SOCIOLOGY

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Exams are oral.

Please take note that, since the high number of students enrolled, exam sessions might take place on several days.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Exams are oral. Students are expected to answer at least three questions on the topics taught in the course.

Exams are held by the Professor, jointly with other colleagues in sociological disciplines.

Exam schedule