59239 - Sociology of The Territory

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students: - have a framework of the main concepts and interpretative paradigms of territorial sociology; - are able to apply these concepts and paradigms for understanding the emerging issues of the discipline; - are able to distinguish the steps of sociological territorial research; - can distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research tools, knowing the advantages and disadvantages; - know the characteristics of the main sources of information, both quantitative and qualitative.

Course contents

As regards the first part of the course, we will show the research steps that characterize territorial sociological studies. After that, we will focus on information sources for social research (direct vs indirect, quantitative vs qualitative). A particular attention will be paid to some qualitative research tools: participant observation, direct observation, the biographical approach and life histories.

As regards the second part, we will introduce some territorial studies from the Chicago School, as well as some recent studies that continue that approach from an ecological and/or ethnographic perspective. We will also introdcue the study done by Mario Small in Villa Victoria, a Boston neighborhood. It is particularly significant both for its methodological structure and  the multiple references to Chicago School approach.

Readings/Bibliography

For the part one:

E.Battaglini, Sviluppo territoriale. Dal disegno della ricerca alla valutazione dei risultati, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2014.

For the part two:

M.L. Small, Villa Victoria. Povertà e capitale sociale in un quartiere di Boston, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2011.

Further teaching material will be available during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods

RULES FOR THE EXAM DURING THE COURSE

Midterm (November 4, 2019)

It is a written exam divided into two parts: 

- Geography (30 minutes): 3 short open questions = Total 15 points (5 points for each question).

- Sociology of the Territory (60 minutes): 3 open questions = Total 15 points (5 points for each question).

The note is the sum of the points obtained in the two parts.

The note is valid until February 2020.

NB: Students pass the midterm exam if they get 20/30 or more, or if they get 9/15 or more in both the parts.

Final exam (December 16, 2019)

It is a written exam divided into two parts:

Geography (30 minutes): 3 short open questions = Total 15 points (5 points for each question).

Sociology of Territory (60 minutes): 3 open questions = Total 15 points (5 points for each question).

The note is the sum of the points obtained in the two parts.

The note is valid until February 2020.

NB: Students pass the midterm exam if they get 20/30 or more, or if they get 9/15 or more in both the parts.

NB: Having just one exame during the course is not possible; studentes are requested to have both, otherwise they will have to do the exam after the end of the course.

Project works for Sociology of the Territory

During the course of Sociology of the Territory, optional project works are planned. Works can focus on a text or recommended readings, or another topic relevant to the sociology of the territory, either theoretical or empirical. Groups must be composed of 3-5 students. Anyone wishing to make project works is required to decide the topic with the teacher; an abstract is requested by October 15 with the rearch topic, aim, methods and three bibliographic references. Students will present their work at class (15 minutes for each presentation). The presentation will be evaluated (from 0 to 1.5 points); these points will be added to the sum of the votes obtained in the written exams. The vote is valid until February 2020.

Project works for Geography

During the course of Geography, optional project works are planned. Groups of 2 students will be requested to build a thematic map with the software QGIS. The work will be submitted to the teacher and evaluated (from 0 to 1.5 points). These points will be added to the sum of the notes obtained in the written exams. The note is valid until February 2020.

RULES FOR EXAMS AFTER THE END OF THE COURSE

NOTICE: DUE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY, THE FINAL EXAM WILL BE ORAL INSTEAD OF WRITTEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2020  INCLUDED. THE EXAM MUST BE DONE ON THE SAME DATE FOR BOTH PARTS, GEOGRAPHY AND SOCIOLOGY OF THE TERRITORY. EACH PART WILL BE EVALUATED FROM 0 TO 15 POINTS: THE SUM OF THE EVALUATIONS WILL GIVE THE FINAL NOTE. IT IS NECESSARY TO BE SUFFICIENT IN BOTH PARTS (9/15) TO PASS THE EXAM.

THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS REGARD JUST THE EXAMS SINCE JANUARY 2021.

Students who do not intend to make exams during the course, and who do not pass one or more exams, are requested to get their exam after the end of the course and to have both Geography and Sociology of the Territory on the same date. The exam after the end of the course consists of two parts:

Geography (30 minutes): 3 short open questions (15 points, 5 for each question).

Sociology of the Territory (80 minutes): 4 open questions (15 points, 3,75 for each question).

The final note is given by the sum of the points obtained in the two parts. If the sum is with a decimal, the final note will be obtained by rounding up (Example: 27.5 becomes 28).

Students pass the exam if they get 20/30 or more or if they get 9/15 or more in both the parts.

Only for the exams by February 2020: students who have passed at least one of the exams during the course, can "save" that note and get just the remaining part in the exams after the course.

Oral integration of the written exam

Students have the right to request the integration of the written exam with an oral part: however, this integration can be either improve or get worse the note.

Assessment criteria

A language appropriate to course contents and the skill to learn and link together the main course concepts will result in excellent grades. A proper language, a mnemonic content knowledge and a good skill to link the concepts will result in good grades. Inappropriate language, some training gaps but a minimum of knowledge on the course topics will result in passing grades. Lack of guidance on the course issues, inappropriate language and training gaps will result in negative grades.

Teaching tools

Use of Powerpoint  slides, use of videos, presentation of websites.

Office hours

See the website of Gabriele Manella