00905 - Sociology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have a basic knowledge of Sociology, including its origins, major paradigms and theories, methods of analysis, and main fields of study and have acquired analytical tools for understanding contemporary social phenomena enabling them to interpret and critically understand different social contexts.

Course contents

The Sociology course introduces students to the main concepts, theories, scholars, and fields of inquiry that characterize this broad and multifaceted discipline within the social sciences. The course covers both the key thinkers of classical sociological theory (such as Marx, Durkheim, and Weber) and major contemporary sociological perspectives. Through the discussion of sociological theories and empirical research, the course aims to develop students' ability to connect individual experiences with broader social structures. With a strong emphasis on fostering critical thinking, the course provides a solid foundation for a deeper understanding of social science theories and research methods.

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students, specific readings (such as journal articles and book chapters on particular authors and topics) will be assigned throughout the course. These readings constitute an integral part of the examination material.

PowerPoint presentations and other course materials will be made available on the e-learning platform after each class. Please note that studying the PowerPoint presentations alone is not sufficient to pass the examination.

For non-attending students, the required textbook is: A. Santambrogio, Introduzione alla sociologia, Laterza, Bari, 2019 (new updated edition).

Teaching methods

The course is organized around a series of broad thematic areas (including Identity, Culture, Power, Work, Gender, Inequalities and Social Exclusion, and Deviance), each of which is explored in two stages.

First, each topic is introduced through an overview of its key sociological concepts. This part of the course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the main sociological contributions to the topic, as well as an up-to-date overview of current debates.

Second, the course offers an in-depth analysis of the work of a sociologist whose scholarship is particularly relevant to the theme under discussion. Readings include both classical thinkers (such as Durkheim, Weber, Marx, Bourdieu, Foucault, and Goffman) and contemporary scholars (such as Connell, Butler, bell hooks, and Stuart Hall). This focus on author(s) aims to provide students with key theoretical frameworks for critically analyzing social life while demonstrating the sociological imagination in practice.

Assessment methods

Students will be assessed through an oral examination based on the required readings listed above.

Students who are employed or have officially recognized caregiver status by the University may arrange an alternative time or date for the oral examination during the regular examination sessions by contacting the instructor via email at least 30 days before the scheduled exam date.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's designated support office as early as possible. The office will assess their needs and propose any appropriate accommodations. These accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days before the examination for approval. The instructor will evaluate their suitability in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

AI can be a useful tool to support independent study through in-depth explanations, summaries, and self-assessment activities. However, the use of AI during in-person examinations is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI during the exam constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentation shared through Virtuale. 

Office hours

See the website of Ilaria Pitti