57741 - Sociology and Methodology of Social Research (A-L)

Learning outcomes

The student will learn the social and intellectual origins of Sociology, including its major theoretical traditions. She will be familiar with the main conceptual and methodological tools for cultivating a true sociological imagination applying it to contemporary social issues.

Course contents

The course is divided in two parts.

In the first part the student is introduced to the sociological imagination through an exercise of social research applied to her own experience, i.e. the choice of an education path in the academic system. In this part concepts and research techniques will be introduced - concepts as social action, practice, social interaction, social networks, social structure, power, culture and organizations, as well as techniques as interviews and ethnography.

In the second part of the course the concepts and methods already introduced will be further developed and refined in order to introduce theoretical models and show how to make use of them for doing analysis of social issues, also in the contemporary "data-driven" society. Four main issues will be considered: social inequalities, sex and gender, market and organizations, and criminality.

Readings/Bibliography

A Bibliography in English will be given to foreign students asking for it.

Teaching methods

Face to face lessons, with also practical exercises of social research

Assessment methods

Oral exam, through face to face conversation, aimed at testing the student's learning through general and specific questions.

A written test will be organized at the end of the first course module.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Santoro

See the website of Barbara Gruning