96347 - Sociology of Economic Processes and Labour Dynamics

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, students will be familiar with the main classical sociological theories that are most relevant to the formation of a sociological view of law and useful for analyzing the labor market. They will be able to use specific terminology and apply the sociological skills they have acquired to the most significant contemporary social phenomena.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules.
The first module will be dedicated to the presentation of philosophical and legal theories and currents that have contributed to the formation of a sociological view of law that is useful for analyzing the labor market. In particular, we will analyze classical authors (especially Marx, Weber, and Durkheim) and their legacy in contemporary perspectives.
The second module will analyze sociological aspects typical of the Italian labor market, with particular attention to contemporary transformations in relation to the following issues:

- tertiarization, flexibility, and outsourcing of the labor market, including in the form of atypical regulation;

- unemployment (analyzing the figures for the employed, unemployed, and inactive, addressing issues such as unemployment in the two Italies, youth unemployment, intellectual unemployment, and long-term unemployment);

- unemployment (analyzing the figures for employed, unemployed, and inactive persons, addressing issues such as unemployment in the two Italies, youth unemployment, intellectual unemployment, and long-term unemployment);

-women's participation in the workforce (focusing on the so-called “double burden of home and work,” the feminization of labor demand, and the long-standing problem of gender segregation);

- undeclared employment and moonlighting (from irregular employment to the phenomenon of illegal work);

- immigrants in the Italian labor market (tracking the evolution of migration flows in Europe and attempting to answer the question of whether immigrants are competitors, complements, or substitutes for Italian workers);

- labor policies and, in particular, local interventions.

In addition, during the course, further supplementary materials (scientific contributions, legislative updates) will be provided to complete the training program.

Readings/Bibliography

R. TREVES, 2002, Sociologia del diritto. Origini, ricerche, problemi, Einaudi Torino (ONLY THE FOLLOWING PARTS: Chapter I; Chapter II, paragraphs 5, 6, 7, and 9; Chapter III, only paragraph 12; Chapter IV, paragraphs 19, 21, 22, 23, and 26; Chapter V; Chapter VI; Chapter IX)

 

E. REYNERI., 2017, Introduzione alla sociologia del mercato del lavoro, Il Mulino.

Teaching methods

The course includes lectures that will be held in the second semester; students are invited to check the location and timetable of the lectures on the course page.


Teaching will make use of technological aids (audio-video and PowerPoint slides). Student involvement will be encouraged through the analysis of original documents and official reports.

In addition, during the course, further supplementary materials (scientific contributions, legislative updates) will be provided to complete the training program.

Assessment methods

The exam grade will take into account the following aspects:
- knowledge of institutional profiles;
- ability to analyze jurisprudential and doctrinal guidelines;
- ability to make connections between different parts of the program;
- ability to develop critical arguments;
- articulation of the presentation;
- accuracy of the presentation;
- precision in the use of context-specific terminology.

Specifically, the following assessment criteria will be taken into account when assigning the final grade, expressed in thirtieths:

- knowledge and understanding of the concepts and principles of the subject and institutions covered by the exam question and level of depth of study (50%);

- ability to make connections between the different parts of the program, ability to critically analyze the topics covered in the exam questions, and ability to apply them to concrete cases (20%);

- appropriate use of technical and legal vocabulary, the candidate's ability to present, ability to analyze and evaluate relevant sources, and acquisition of study methods (30%).

For attending students, there will be a partial exam in April focused on the textbook R. TREVES, 2002, Sociologia del diritto. Origini, ricerche, problemi, Einaudi Torino.


Registration for exams will only be possible through the university's Almaesami computer system.


Thesis

Students who intend to apply for a thesis are requested to attend a consultation, which is the only way to formalize the assignment of the final paper, no less than 5 months in advance for three-year degree students and 8 months in advance for master's degree students. Formal admission to the thesis work is conditional upon the submission of an initial outline accompanied by an essential bibliography on the topic proposed by the student or suggested by the professor and/or their collaborators. Graduating students will be given a detailed guide for writing their thesis. The exam will be conducted exclusively orally with the aim of verifying the student's adequate acquisition of knowledge in accordance with the course objectives. Learning will be assessed through an interview with the professor and teaching assistants on the topics covered in the course program.

Teaching tools

The teaching activity is supplemented by PowerPoint presentations and short videos closely related to the topics covered, which can be downloaded from the teaching resources platform for the exclusive use of attending students with access passwords.




Students who, for reasons related to disabilities or specific learning disorders, require compensatory tools may communicate their needs to the instructor so that they can be referred to the appropriate contacts and agree on the most appropriate measures to be taken.

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Pellegrini