02517 - Sociology of Education

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student:

-understands the origins, development, and evolution (theoretical and experimental) of the Sociology of Education;

- is familiar with the results of sociological contributions to the study of institutions and educational processes in the field;

- understands the structural and dynamic characteristics of the functioning of the different levels of education (both school and university) in Italy, as well as their recent reform trends;

- possesses specific sociological knowledge and skills for evaluating the impact of educational interventions, with particular reference to issues of equality and inequality of educational opportunities;

- is able to read and interpret statistical-sociological data and indicators concerning the Italian educational system (drawn from national and international comparative research);

- is capable of independently identifying and managing personal pathways, methodologies, and tools for professional development and updates in the field of sociological studies in the sector.

Course contents

The module is divided into two main parts: the first part provides a general overview of the school, examining its history and role in modern societies. It explores the social and economic significance of the educational institution and the characteristics of contemporary school systems. The origin of modern schooling will be analyzed, identifying the political and cultural factors that contributed to its evolution and the development of the current level-based structure. Additionally, the socialization function of school systems will be examined, highlighting the differences between familial and scholastic socialization.

The second part focuses on the impact of the school on social stratification and the distribution of resources among individuals and social groups. Both theoretical analyses of the mechanisms underlying educational inequalities and empirical analyses of the phenomenon will be presented, comparing theories of modernization and social reproduction. Particular attention will be given to the influence of family origin, gender, ethnicity, and geographic origin.

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings (for both attending and non-attending students) are:

• the lecture slides, available on the Virtuale platform;
• Ballarino, G., & Panichella, N. (2021). Sociologia dell'istruzione. Il Mulino. Required readings include Chapters 1, 2, 6, 7, and 10, except for the following sections, which are not included in the examination syllabus: Chapter 1, Sections 7.2 and 7.3; Chapter 7, Sections 1, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7, as well as Sections 3 and 4, including all their subsections; Chapter 10, Section 3.3.

• a course reader on the Sociology of Education, which will be made available on the Virtuale platform at the beginning of the course.

Important: the lecture slides do not replace the textbook, and the textbook does not replace the lecture slides. Both are considered, in all respects, examination material. The lecture slides complement the textbook with additional material that forms an integral part of the course syllabus and, as such, constitutes examination material.

 

Teaching methods

The teaching methods employed will include lectures, practical exercises, and class discussions. All teaching materials used during the course (e.g., lecture slides, supplementary readings, etc.) will be made available to both attending and non-attending students through the Virtuale platform.

Assessment methods

As this course is integrated with Cultural Anthropology, students enrolled in the 8 ECTS credits course must take both the Sociology of Education and the Cultural Anthropology examinations on the same date and during the same exam session.

For both attending and non-attending students, learning assessment consists of a two-hour, in-person written examination.

For students taking the 8 ECTS examination, the written exam consists of six open-ended questions: three relating to Sociology of Education and three relating to Cultural Anthropology. Each module includes two short-answer questions and one more articulated question, designed to assess students' knowledge and understanding of the course content, as well as their ability to analyse, discuss, and appropriately apply key disciplinary concepts.

Each module is graded on a 30-point scale. Within each module, the final mark is calculated as a weighted average of the three answers: each short-answer question contributes 25% of the module mark, while the more comprehensive essay question contributes the remaining 50%. The final grade for the integrated examination is expressed on a 30-point scale and is calculated as the mean of the marks obtained in the two modules.

Students taking only the 4 ECTS Sociology of Education module will take a one-hour written exam consisting of three open-ended questions (two short-answer questions and one more comprehensive essay question), covering only the Sociology of Education syllabus and assessed as described above.

Assessment is based on the following criteria:

1. relevance of the answer to the question asked;

2. detailed knowledge and understanding of the course content and required readings;

3. appropriate use of sociological terminology and concepts;

4. logical organisation and coherence of the argument;

5. ability to critically reflect on and independently elaborate upon the topics studied.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) during the examination is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI constitutes a breach of academic integrity.

Students are not permitted to consult course materials or other resources during the examination.

Students who do not pass the examination may register for any subsequent exam session; no mandatory waiting period applies.

To take the exam, students must register through the AlmaEsami online system within the published deadlines. Students who are unable to register by the deadline must promptly notify the Department's Academic Office. Admission to the examination after the registration deadline is at the discretion of the course instructor.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's Disability and SLD Support Service well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ). The Service will propose any appropriate accommodations, which must be submitted to the course lecturer at least 15 days before the examination for approval.The lecturer will assess the proposed accommodations in relation to the intended learning outcomes of the course.

Erasmus and other international students may request to take the examination in the form of an oral examination.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations, audiovisual materials, plenary discussions, and the Virtuale platform.

Office hours

See the website of Valeria Quaglia