95728 - Sociology of Modernity (1) (Lm)

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on the advanced analysis of the socio-cultural processes that defined the genesis of modern society and characterize the global capitalist West. At the end of the course, the student acquires in-depth skills about the main sociological theories and methodologies that allow a critical reading of the phenomena that typify modernity and late modernity.

Course contents

The course focuses on the fundamental sociological theories that have drawn the profile of modernity and late modernity with particular attention to the globalized capitalist Western world. Specifically, the course provides the analytical tools to thematize the genesis of modern society from a sociological perspective focusing on the classics of the subject and their reflections on modernity and the forms of capitalism, secularization, individualization, functional differentiation and rationalization. Drawing on the proposals of critical theory, post-modern theory and contemporary reflections on modernity and late modernity, we will then focus on the experience of the modern subject and the effects of modern and late-modern social and cultural structures on identity. The reflection on the modern subject will thus be enriched with an awareness of gender and ethnic positionings to focus on the contributions of feminism, post-colonial theory and the theory of globalization.

Attending students will be asked to present and discuss some of the classics  in class in specifically dedicated seminars.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students have to study:

Ritzer, G. e Stepnisky, J. (2020) Teoria Sociologica, Utet (ONLY chaps. 2, 3, 4,5, 12, 13, 14, 15,16,17,18)

Plus two volumes  chosen from the following:

Baudrillard, J. (2008) La società dei consumi, Il mulino.

Foucault, M. (2014) Sorvegliare e punire, Einaudi

Hochschild, A.R. (2015) Per amore e per denaro, Il mulino.

Weber. M.(2020)L’etica protestante e lo spirito del capitalismo, Bur

Attending students are required to take the exam by the summer exam session of 2023.

 

Non-attending students have to study:

Ritzer, G. e Stepnisky, J. (2020) Teoria Sociologica, Utet (ONLY chaps. 2,3,4,5, 12, 13, 14, 15,16,17,18).

Baudrillard, J. (2008) La società dei consumi, Il mulino.

Foucault, M. (2014) Sorvegliare e punire, Einaudi

Hochschild, A.R. (2015) Per amore e per denaro, Il mulino.

 

The program is valid for AY 2022/23

Teaching methods

The course will be organized through lectures with the help of Powerpoint. During each lesson topics for discussion will be proposed to students and active participation will be encouraged. The course also entails dedicated seminars for discussion and presentation by the students of the classical texts indicated in the program. Active participation in this activity is a necessary condition for certification of attendance.

Assessment methods

Oral exam on the programme, both for attending and non-atteding students.

The exam is aimed at ascertaining the achievement of some fundamental learning objectives: knowledge of the exam texts and contextualization skills; understanding of fundamental concepts and ability to articulate a critical interpretation; clarity of presentation and terminological precision; ability to establish links between the topics covered by the program. The exam will verify whether such knowledge and skills are possessed in a more or less complete, exhaustive, correct and thoughtful way or in a more or less incomplete, approximate, imprecise and mechanical way. The evaluation will range from excellent (30 and L) to excellent (30) to good (29-27) to fair (26-24) to little more than sufficient (23-21) to just sufficient (21-18) or insufficient .

 

Teaching tools

Powerpoint slides.

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Sassatelli