AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module aims to provide conceptual and analytical tools from sociology to understand human behaviour in its social and relational dimensions. By applying sociological theories and categories to the field of sport and movement sciences, it analyses the social processes that influence the body, health, well-being, and sporting practices in contemporary society.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the basic knowledge and conceptual tools to understand the social phenomena that influence human behaviour, the body, health and sporting practices in contemporary society.
In particular, students will be able to:

(1. Knowledge and understanding)

• know and understand the main sociological concepts, paradigms and processes, with reference to interaction, culture, institutions, groups, inequalities and mechanisms of social inclusion and exclusion;

(2. Applying knowledge and understanding)

• apply sociological perspectives to critically analyse the social dimensions of motor and sport activities and of health and well-being promotion, recognising the role of cultural, relational and organisational factors;

(3. Making judgements)

• critically evaluate social phenomena related to the body, health and sport, identifying the connections between individual practices and collective contexts;

(4. Communication skills)

• use the technical language of sociology to communicate clearly and effectively with both specialist and non-specialist audiences, including in interdisciplinary contexts;

(5. Learning skills)

• deepen and broaden their sociological knowledge through individual study or by attending further courses in specific areas of the discipline (such as the sociology of sport, health, or the environment).

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 8 sessions of 4 hours each, for a total of 32 hours of teaching activities.
Lectures combine frontal teaching with interactive and collaborative activities aimed at fostering active student participation.

The pedagogical approach is based on the Community of Inquiry framework, which integrates the cognitive, social and teaching dimensions of the learning process.
The course includes guided discussions, group work, cooperative learning techniques (such as the jigsaw method), small-group activities, practical exercises and the development of short project works, with specific reference to issues concerning the body, health, sport and social inclusion.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Revised on the basis of the slides published on Aul@Web.

General Section – Foundations of Sociology

1. Introduction to Sociology

2. Social Transformations and the Development of Contemporary Society

3. The Scientific Method and Methods of Social Research

4. Social Action and Social Structures

5. Interaction, Social Relations, and Social Groups

6. Culture and Rules: Socialization, Values, Norms, and Deviance

Advanced Section – The Body and Society

1. The Body as a Social Construction

2. Health, Well-being, and Sporting Practices from a Sociological Perspective 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Slides published on Aul@Web.

Please note:
Some slides have been updated after the in-class presentation in order to improve clarity; these can be identified by a title highlighted in yellow.
Slides with a grey background are supplementary materials provided for further study and are not part of the exam syllabus.

The following books are suggested as supporting texts for learning. However, students may refer to other up-to-date university-level sociology textbooks (please confirm with the the professor).

• Van Tubergen, F. (2022). Introduzione alla sociologia. Bologna: Il Mulino. Limited to Chapters 1, 6, and 8

• Romeo, A. (Ed.). (2018). Sociologia del corpo. Milano: Mondadori. Limited to Chapters 2, and 3

or, alternatively

• Stagi, L. (2008). Anticorpi: Dieta, fitness e altre prigioni. Franco Angeli.

Additional readings and viewings:

• (2022). Le nuotatrici (The Swimmers) [Film].
• (2020). The English Game [TV series].
• Capozzi, C. (2023). La violenza di genere sotto lo sguardo dei Centri Antiviolenza (CAV) della Liguria in “Report Annuale sulla sicurezza”, Genova: Liguria Ricerche
• Fantasia, M. (2022). Golden set. Storie di donne e di uomini che non si sono fatti schiacciare. Latina: Lab Dfg.
• Farello, S. (2021). Il cuore di De Coubertin. Come Genova realizzò le vere Olimpiadi. Genova: Erga Edizioni.
• Gazzaniga, R. (2019). Abbiamo toccato le stelle. Storie di campioni che hanno cambiato il mondo. Milano: Rizzoli.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CECILIA CAPOZZI (President)

GIUSEPPINA RUOTOLO (President)

JESSICA PODDA (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will take place on the following dates:

Friday, 10 October, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday, 17 October, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday, 24 October, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Monday, 27 October, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday, 31 October, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday, 7 November, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday, 14 November, 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Friday, 21 November, 2:00–6:00 p.m.

 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination is written and consists of a test including both multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Specifically, the exam is structured as follows:

• 16 multiple-choice questions, for a maximum of 16 points (1 point for each correct answer);

• 5 short open-ended questions, for a maximum of 15 points (from 1 to 3 points for each answer).

As part of exam preparation, students are strongly encouraged to complete a photo-voice style assignment, to be submitted at least two weeks before the exam date.

For the assignment, students are required to select two topics:

• one related to General Sociology;

• one related to the Sociology of the Body.

Topics may be chosen from those discussed during lectures or from the mandatory or optional materials included in the course syllabus.
Please note: topics not included in the course bibliography/filmography will not be accepted.

For each topic, the assignment must include:

• An image or a video (either original or sourced online, with the source always clearly indicated) that can be linked to the exam syllabus;

• A personal justification for the choice of the image or video;

• Identification of the relevant sociological themes;

• Discussion of the sociological concepts involved, including quotations and explicit references to lecture slides and/or textbooks, readings, and other course materials.

Video specifications: maximum length of 2 minutes. If the video exceeds this duration, students must indicate the relevant time segment.

Important note: students must register for the exam at least 5 days before the scheduled exam date.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The different components of the written examination contribute to the assessment of the expected learning outcomes.

• Multiple-choice questions are designed to assess knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of sociology addressed in the course and to evaluate the ability to recognize definitions, analytical categories, and conceptual connections;

• Open-ended questions aim to verify the ability to apply knowledge and understanding through the critical analysis of examples, situations, or social phenomena and also contribute to the assessment of:
  – independent judgment, by verifying the ability to interpret complex social phenomena and to relate individual practices to collective contexts;
  – communication skills, through the appropriate and informed use of sociological technical language in arguing and justifying one’s answers.

• The individual photo-voice–style assignment, although not contributing to the exam grade, is recommended as a preparatory exercise useful for developing independent judgment, the ability to integrate knowledge, and written communication skills.

The overall evaluation of the written examination takes into account the accuracy of content, clarity of argumentation, and the ability to connect theoretical concepts to applied contexts.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities, SLD or SEN.

Students holding certification for Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), disabilities, or other special educational needs (SEN) are encouraged to contact both the Department’s representative, Prof. Nicola Girtler (nicola.girtler@unige.it), and the instructor at the beginning of the course.
Together, they will agree on appropriate teaching and examination arrangements which, while respecting the course objectives, take into account individual learning needs and provide suitable compensatory or exemption tools, as recognized by the University Support Service (https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).

Please note: requests for exam accommodations must be submitted no later than seven days before the scheduled exam date.

Ask the professor for other information not included in the teaching schedule