03857 - General Sociology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

• knows and understands the main sociological theories in relation to educational sciences;
• possesses a good knowledge of the processes of primary and secondary socialization of the individual;
• is able to understand social and territorial contexts, with particular reference to transformations during the 20th century;
• can critically and independently conduct data research, construct databases, and search for documentation relevant to the understanding of a cultural and social context, appropriately using national and local statistical archives;
• can present issues and problems related to social change dynamics to different audiences, both specialists and non-specialists, using appropriate communicative registers;
• is capable of understanding and critically analyzing the factors that contribute to determining gender roles;
• is proficient in the gender category and the concepts of contemporary feminist thought, applying them to the international context;
• has knowledge of the dynamics of the formation of transnational feminist movements from a long-term perspective.

Course contents

How can we explain polarization? What factors determine success and status? How integrated are immigrants and their children into society? Are people today more isolated and lonely compared to the past? Has the crime rate increased in recent decades? Many people have subjective opinions on these questions, which attract significant attention in the media and public discussions. The course offers an introduction to what sociology has to say about these issues. It considers sociology as a science and profession, emphasizing scientific issues, theories, methods, findings, and their applications. It covers a wide range of topics and social phenomena, such as inequality, crime, immigration and ethnicity, religion, gender, climate change and modernization. Throughout the course, you will be introduced to a series of sociological "tools" and "principles" useful for describing and understanding social phenomena in a scientific manner.

The course has two main objectives:

a) To define key concepts in sociology, theories, perspectives, methods, and findings.
b) To think "like a sociologist," being able to understand and apply sociological concepts, questions, perspectives, theories, findings, and methods.

The course has a duration of 48 hours, divided into two-hour lessons. Unless otherwise specified, the lessons follow the chapters of the manual.

The course is divided in two parts:

• Prof. Ettore Scappini is in charge of the first part of the course;
• Prof. Claudio Coletta is in charge of the second part of the course.
  

FIRST PART OF THE COURSE, PROF. ETTORE SCAPPINI (LESSONS 1-12)

Lessons 1-3, Chapter 1 of the textbook: Questions (6 hours)
In these three lessons (first chapter), we will try to answer three questions: What are sociological questions? What makes a sociological question a good sociological question? How do sociological questions differ from questions in other disciplines? In simple terms, we will attempt to answer the question of what sociology deals with.

Lessons 4-6, Chapter 2: Theories (6 hours)
In these three lessons (second chapter), we have five objectives: Understanding what theories are; Understanding what makes a theory useful; Understanding how concepts are connected to theory; Understanding what is meant by "causality"; Representing different types of causal relationships.

Lessons 7-8, Chapter 3: Methods (4 hours)
Skip part 3.10. Parts 3.8 and 3.12 only to read
In these two lessons (third chapter) we introduce the sociological methods of observation, focusing on three main questions: (1) which sociological research methods you should use? (2) how should you decide which method to use? and (3), which principles can help you in evaluating empirical evidence? We will discuss how to describe and explore social phenomena, and how to test hypotheses.

Lessons 9-10, Chapter 4: Perspectives (4 hours)
Part 4.1, first section only to read, study from the concept of perspective onward
In these two lessons (chapter 4) we will explore some common patterns between a variety of topics, including culture, social relations and inequality, by relating them to overarching sociological themes and by adopting a multilevel perspective.

Lessons 11-12, Chapter 5: Opinions (4 hours)
Part 5.7 to be skipped.
In these two lessons (chapter 5) we will introduce the subtheme of culture and cultural production and how it affects people’s opinions, in a dynamic interplay between the individual and the social context, with a focus on the phenomenon of conformity.

SECOND PART OF THE COURSE, PROF. CLAUDIO COLETTA (LESSONS 13-24)

Lessons 13-14, Chapter 6: Norms (4 hours)
In this lesson (chapter 6) we will discuss social norms, their types and their related concepts and theories. How norms are collectively produced and internalized, changed and subverted, and why.

Lesson 15-16, Chapter 7: Networks (4 hours)
In this lesson (chapter 7) we will introduce key social network terminology. We will focus on personal networks, on the distinction between strong and weak ties, the size of networks and the role of intermediaries. We will then discuss the theory of loss-of-community and then relate the insights from the literature on social networks to the concepts of “social cohesion” and “social capital”.

Lesson 17-18, chapter 8: Groups (2 hours)
In this lesson (chapter 8) we will examine group formation and intergroup relations, with a focus on the phenomenon of group segregation, intergroup cooperation and conflict.


Lessons 19-20-21, Chapters 9 + 10: Stratification and Mobility + Resources (6 hours)
These three lessons will address inequality focusing on two subthemes: social stratification and social mobility. We will introduce some important related concepts, empirical patterns and theories, involving happiness, life-expectancy and how standards of living differ across societies. We will discuss the stratification within societies, introducing the concepts of social class and social status. Subsequently, we will introduce the concept of social mobility, which refers to the changing positions people can take in the stratification system, in relation to the modernization process.

Lesson 22, extra manual: qualitative interviews (2 ore)

In this lesson, we will introduce the art of conducting in-depth interviews, a technique of inquiry which is part of qualitative methods. We will begin with the interview preparation phase, which includes preliminary research, question planning, and identification of suitable recording tools. We will then delve into the different interview techniques, including open-ended, closed-ended, and semi-structured approaches, discussing their advantages and how to effectively use them. Once the technical skills are acquired, we will focus on interview management, emphasizing active listening, follow-up on responses, and proper time management. Finally, we will dedicate special attention to interview analysis, covering data coding, interpretation of gathered information, and methods for presenting results.

Lesson 23, Chapter 11: Migration and Integration

̶P̶a̶r̶a̶g̶r̶a̶p̶h̶s̶ ̶1̶,̶ ̶3̶,̶ ̶8̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶y̶

Update: Entire chapter 11 except paragraph 6

In this lesson we will first discuss how issues of migration and integration are addressed as social problems. After that, we will discuss the topic of integration and distinguish three dimensions of this complex concept: cultural integration, social integration and economic integration. Finally, we will discuss the segregation of ethnic minority and majority groups into different neighborhoods and cities.

Lesson 24, Extra Manual: Climate Change and Society (2 hours)
In this lesson (extra manual), we will examine the social dimensions and implications of climate change. We will provide an overview of various interconnected issues, including the cultural and institutional dimension of climate change, climate justice and social movements, and the sociotechnical processes related to adaptation and mitigation.

Readings/Bibliography

MANDATORY READINGS:

The study of the following textbooks is mandatory:

F. Van Tubergen (2022), Introduzione alla sociologia, Bologna, Il Mulino.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:

For students that do not attend the second part of the courseclasses, the study of the following books is recommended:

• Bichi Rita (2002) L'intervista biografica. Una proposta metodologica, Milano, Vita e Pensiero. [N.B. Being difficult to find, Bichi's book can be replaced with the following: Della Porta, Donatella (2010), L'intervista Qualitativa, Bari, Laterza (ebook disponibile)].
• Schultz, Nikolaj and Latour, Bruno (2023) On the Emergence of an Ecological Class: A Memo (J. Rose, Trans.), Cambridge Hoboken, Polity.

Teaching methods

The course consists of a series of lectures delivered by the instructors on the content of the texts listed in the bibliography.

For those who do not attend the course, it is recommended to contact the teacher to arrange supplementary materials.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test with multiple-choice questions. The first half is related to module 1 and the second half to module 2.

The questions aim to assess:

• comprehension of the texts listed in the bibliography;
• reflective understanding of the concepts and methods presented.

People with disabilities and Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)

People with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD) are entitled to special arrangements based on their condition, following an assessment by the University's Office for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact the instructor, but rather get in touch with the Office to schedule an appointment. It will be the Office's responsibility to determine the appropriate accommodations. For more information, please visit the page at the followig link:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti

Teaching tools

As per Unibo policy, classes are conducted in presence, with the support of computer, video beamer and digital whiteboard.

The teaching material consists of the syllabus, presentations prepared by the teacher and case studies. When not protected by copyright, the teaching material is made available to students through the teaching platform of the University of Bologna. Copyrighted texts in the syllabus are available at the libraries of the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Coletta

See the website of Ettore Scappini