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

General section – Foundations of Sociology

• Introduction to sociology
• Social transformations and the development of contemporary society
• The fabric of social life: interaction and groups
• Culture and social order: values, institutions, identity and socialisation
• Differentiation and inequality: gender, age and social stratification
• Mechanisms of social inclusion and exclusion

Thematic section – The Body and Society

• The body as a social construction
• Health, well-being and sport from a sociological perspective
• Groups and social networks in sport and in the promotion of inclusion
• Design of events and/or interventions to promote well-being and social inclusion.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lectures and other teaching materials will be available on aul@web.

The following books are suggested as supporting texts for learning. However, students may refer to other up-to-date university-level sociology textbooks (published within the last 15 years).

• Bagnasco, A., Barbagli, M., & Cavalli, A. (2012). Corso di sociologia. Bologna: Il Mulino.
• Romeo, A. (Ed.). (2018). Sociologia del corpo. Milano: Mondadori.

Additional readings and viewings:

• (2022). Le nuotatrici (The Swimmers) [Film].
• (2020). The English Game [TV series].
• 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.

The schedule is available at: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/index.php?view=easycourse&include=attivita&anno=2025&attivita%5B%5D=EC117450&visualizzazione_orario=cal&date=10-10-2025&_lang=it&highlighted_date=0&all_events=1&ar_codes=&ar_select=

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination is written and consists of two parts:

• a test including multiple-choice and open-ended questions, worth up to 20 points;
• an individual written paper, to be submitted at least two weeks before the exam date, focusing on a topic drawn from the recommended study materials or on the design of a project, worth up to 10 points.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The different components of the examination are designed to assess the intended learning outcomes.

• The multiple-choice questions aim to assess basic knowledge and understanding of key sociological concepts, including major paradigms, processes of interaction, mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion, and social inequalities.
• The open-ended questions are intended to assess the ability to apply knowledge and understanding, through the critical analysis of social phenomena related to the body, health and sport.
• The individual written paper is designed to assess the competences acquired, with particular focus on independent judgement, the ability to integrate knowledge, and the clarity and coherence of written communication.

Overall assessment will consider accuracy of content, clarity of argumentation, and the ability to connect theoretical concepts with practical and social contexts.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

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