73373 - SOCIOLOGIA DELLA FAMIGLIA E DELLE DIFFERENZE DI GENERE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will:

1. Be familiar with perspectives and social development scenarios of children and adolescents.
2. Understand the main interpretative models of family system evolution at the national and international levels.
3. Possess theories and operational tools to analyze family contexts.
4. Be capable of comprehending and critically analyzing the factors contributing to the construction of gender roles.
5. Be proficient in using the gender category and concepts from contemporary feminist thought, applying them in an international context.
6. Be knowledgeable about the main dynamics related to gender inequalities in Italy, both within and outside the family (particularly in education and the workforce).
7. Understand the current evolution of motherhood and fatherhood models.
8. Know the work-family reconciliation tools adopted at the local and national levels and be able to discuss them from an international comparative perspective.
9. Master the theme of gender differences from a historical and sociological standpoint.

Course contents

The course examines key concepts in the sociology of the family and gender studies, with particular attention to gender education within the family and society. After introducing the main theoretical perspectives on family, sex, gender, and sexual orientation, the course explores the following topics in depth: the formation of the self and socialization; childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging; death and bereavement; the family as both institution and ideology; family practices; intimate relationships and family diversity; families in a global context.

The second part of the course focuses on the history of feminist movements and on education from a gendered and intersectional perspective, with particular attention to the prevention of gender-based violence in intimate relationships.

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings:

1. PowerPoint slides from the lectures, which will be gradually made available on Virtuale.unibo.it (the course platform);

2. A. Giddens and P. Sutton, Sociology, Il Mulino 2022 (6th edition), only the following chapters:

   • Chapter III. Gender and Sexuality

   • Chapter VIII. The Life Course

   • Chapter IX. Families and Intimate Relationships

3. R. Ghigi, Femminismi. Una antologia, Einaudi 2025 (publication: Fall 2025)

4. R. Ghigi, Niente scuse. La violenza di genere ti riguarda, Il Mulino 2025 (publication: Fall 2025)

For students enrolled in a version of the course with fewer than 8 CFU, the exam syllabus will be provided via the Virtuale platform.

International students may, if they prefer, use the following alternative texts:

1. Gender: In World Perspective (entire book except Chapter 8) by R. W. Connell (available in full text with Unibo credentials);

2. The Wiley Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Families (available in full text with Unibo credentials), only the following chapters:

   • "Family Systems of the World: Are They Converging?"

   • "Changing European Families"

   • "Partner Violence in World Perspective"

   • "Children's Families: A Child-Centered Perspective"

   • "Aging Families and the Gendered Life Course"

   • "Public Policy and Families"

There is no distinction between attending and non-attending students. However, classes will be interactive and participatory. Additional recommended readings and resources (optional, especially for non-attending students) will be available on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

Interactive classes; reading of texts; multimedia supports. E-learning environment. Collaborative digital work. 

Assessment methods

The 8-CFU exam consists, for both attending and non-attending students, of a written test lasting 60 minutes. The exam includes a mandatory multiple-choice section with 16 questions, and two optional open-ended questions. Passing the multiple-choice section (with a score of at least 18/30) is a prerequisite for the evaluation of the open-ended answers. Both parts of the exam cover the entire syllabus; no partial or midterm exams are scheduled. There is no distinction between attending and non-attending students for the purposes of the exam.

On the Virtuale platform, the following materials will be uploaded: a sample exam; an employer permission form; lecture slides; optional materials (articles, links to videos or websites, suggestions for further reading, etc.); shared spaces (Forum); a noticeboard for teacher announcements.

International students who wish to take the exam based on the English-language syllabus must inform the instructor by email at least two days before the exam date. They will receive a written exam with four open-ended questions in English, to which they may respond in English, French, or Spanish.

 

Teaching tools

Slides; readings; videos and multimedia; e-learning platform; collaborative digital workspaces.

Students with DSA or disabilities: it is recommended that they contact the responsible University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, considering the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Ghigi