B5259 - Sociology and Social Research

Learning outcomes

The course introduces students to key sociological concepts and topics and encourages the development of skills pertaining to the understanding and investigation of social phenomena from a sociological perspective. Students completing the course will be familiar with the main epistemological orientations in contemporary social science debates; analyze key features of social structure, social inequality, social change and comparative research; critically assess different sociological approaches; make decisions involving the design and execution of social research projects.

Course contents

Please note: the course is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 14th.

The course is an introduction to sociology and some basic concepts underlying social research methodology. The course will lay out the fundamental tenets of the discipline, including typical definitions, questions, theories, methods, perspectives and topics. The issues addressed by the course include:

- the aims of sociology: description of social phenomena, understanding their underlying processes, application of sociological insights
- the formulation of useful sociological theories and the relevant conceptual tools
- the goals of empirical research and the types of methods sociologists have at their disposal, with a focus on comparative approaches
- typical sociological topics, with a special focus on: beliefs, attitudes and values; social norms; social relationships; social stratification, mobility and other topics linked to inequality; immigration; modernization; religion; climate change
- the distinction between reality, thought and language, the unsteady relationship among which shapes any attempt to attain knowledge about society
- classical sociological thinkers.

Lessons will not deal with all issues explained in the reference texts listed below and also involve issues not addressed by said texts. The exam is based both on mastery of the reference texts listed below and the additional topics discussed in class.

Beware: the course requires a high level of English language proficiency.

Exchange students: carefully read the "Assessment methods" section below!

Readings/Bibliography

Reference texts:

- van Tubergen, Frank, Introduction to Sociology, Routledge, 2020

- Corbetta, Piergiorgio, Social Research: Theory, Methods and Techniques, Sage, 2003: chapters 1-3 [https://methods.sagepub.com/book/social-research-theory-methods-and-techniques]

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lectures.

Attendance is strongly recommended: as previously stated, not all topics are addressed in the reference texts.

Assessment methods

Assessment is performed via a written exam, made up of multiple-choice items and open-ended questions. Attending students are offered the opportunity to take an (optional) intermediate exam approximately mid-way through the lesson plan (first week of November 2026). The exam is based on the reference texts and lectures.

The second half of the exam, for those taking the intermediate exam, and the full exam will be offered on three separate occasions in January and February 2027. An opportunity to take the full exam will be offered again in the late August-September 2027 period.

Please note the first available period for completing/taking the full exam will be in January; students (especially international exchange students) intending to earn credit  need to adapt travel plans accordingly. There will be no alternative dates and no alternative modes for earning credits. If this is problematic, do NOT include this course in your study plan.

There is a limit on the number of international exchange students who can take this course. You need to have a signed learning agreement; if you do not, or are not sure of your status, please contact (via e-mail): didatticascaravilli.incoming@unibo.it. 

Exams are administered in exclusively *written* form and *in person*. The only valid mark is the one achieved in the most recent attempt to pass the exam. Students can refuse a passing mark just once.

The full written exam comprises approximately 30 multiple-choice questions and approximately 5 open-ended questions. The intermediate exam and the second half of the exam are each slightly shorter.

The use of AI in assessments is forbidden. Any such use will be considered a violation of academic integrity.

Please note that Art. 25, Paragraph 2 of the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the University of Bologna requires that "in course exams and degree programme final exams, students must refrain from conduct that may cause disturbance or obstacle or involve harmful and/or dishonest consequences towards other students and the institution. Plagiarism or copying of other people's texts or other behaviours that hinder a correct evaluation of exam performances are contrary to the principles of this Code”.

Teaching tools

The material shown in class will be available on the virtuale.unibo.it website.

Office hours

See the website of Giancarlo Gasperoni