OVERVIEW

The course analyses poverty and social inequalities through the main sociological and methodological perspectives, focusing on the historical evolution of the concept of poverty and its transformations in contemporary societies. The course provides theoretical and methodological tools for understanding the different dimensions of poverty, interpreting social indicators, and analysing the relationship between economic processes, public policies, and social inclusion.

Particular attention will be devoted to new forms of poverty, processes of social exclusion, and inequalities in contemporary societies, also from a comparative and international perspective.

With reference to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the course specifically addresses themes related to the following goals:

• Goal 1 – No Poverty;
• Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities;
• Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The objectives of the course are: to illustrate the changing concept of'poverty' over time, to analytically explore its various dimensions and theoretical perspectives. The methodological tools for the analysis of poverty in its many facets will be acquired.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide conceptual and methodological tools for analysing poverty and inequality from a sociological and comparative perspective.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• know the main sociological theories of poverty and inequality;
• distinguish the different dimensions of poverty and social exclusion;
• use and interpret social indicators and official poverty indexes;
• analyse data and information related to social inequality;
• critically evaluate the relationship between public policies, economic processes, and social vulnerability;
• place the analysis of poverty and inequality within a historical and comparative perspective.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course addresses poverty and social inequalities in contemporary societies, with particular attention to the transformations that have occurred since the 1990s in both the Italian and international contexts.

Topics covered during the course include:

• the main sociological theories of poverty and inequality;
• the historical transformations of the concept of poverty;
• new forms of vulnerability and social exclusion;
• official indicators and measures of poverty;
• the use of databases for social analysis;
• the relationship between regulations, public policies, and social impact;
• the analysis of poverty and inequality from a comparative perspective;
• the main methodological approaches to the study of poverty.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The course bibliography will be published on Aulaweb one week before the start of classes

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLO PARRA SAIANI (President)

LORENZO BARBANERA

AGOSTINO MASSA

NICCOLO' MORELLI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will be held during the second semester.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment will consist of an oral examination.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it), and the lecturer at the beginning of the course, to agree on the teaching methods and examinations that, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.

To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.
Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it).
Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected