C8772 - SOCIOLOGIA GENERALE E FONDAMENTI DELLA RICERCA SOCIALE

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will:

• have a thorough understanding of the key concepts required to understand contemporary society and be able to adopt an analytical approach to issues of social life, with particular attention to situations of inequality, hardship, and social marginalization;
• be able to analyse everyday experience from a sociological perspective and understand the complex relationship between social structure and individual agency, drawing on both classical and contemporary sociological theories and approaches;
• be able to understand social and territorial contexts, with particular reference to transformations from the twentieth century to the present day, and engage critically with issues characterizing complex and multicultural societies;
• be able to collect, interpret, and critically reflect on data and methods relevant to their field of study, demonstrating scientific and analytical thinking through the appropriate use of sociological terminology;
• be able to interpret, through sociological perspectives and tools, the contexts in which social educators operate, and to apply analytical frameworks that support educational and social intervention.

Course contents

The course provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts, theories, and tools of sociology, with the aim of developing students' ability to critically interpret contemporary social reality. Following a general introduction to the nature, purposes, and development of sociology, the course examines a range of key topics, including: gender and sexuality; social change and globalization; social stratification and inequality; ethnic relations and migration; everyday social interaction; urban life; education; family and intimate relationships; work and poverty; religion; the media; politics and social movements; deviance and crime.

Within this framework, particular attention will be devoted to a number of issues currently at the centre of public debate, including demographic change and population ageing; capitalism and new forms of inequality; the environmental impact of consumption and e-commerce; the use and misuse of social media; and gender-based violence.

The final part of the course focuses on research methodology, covering topics such as research design, the selection of research methods, and the strengths and limitations of the main techniques of sociological inquiry.

Overall, the course aims to help students understand how social structures shape life chances, behaviours, and identities, while providing analytical tools that are valuable not only for educational and social work, but also for informed and active citizenship.

Readings/Bibliography

The required course materials are:

1. Course slides.
2. Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton, Fondamenti di sociologia, Il Mulino, 6th edition, 2022.
3. A methodological essay on sociological research methods, which will be made available in full text on the University's Virtual Learning Environment (Virtuale) at the beginning of the course.
4. One additional book selected by the student from a reading list that will be made available on the course Virtuale platform.

International students may, upon request, follow an alternative reading programme consisting of:

• Anthony Giddens and Philip W. Sutton, Essential Concepts in Sociology, John Wiley & Sons, 2021 (all chapters);
• One book selected from a list of English-language texts, which will be uploaded to the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

The course is taught in person and makes use of the University's Virtuale platform for the distribution of teaching materials. Classes are interactive, and active student participation is encouraged. No distinction is made between attending and non-attending students.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of a written examination comprising 12 multiple-choice questions and 2 open-ended questions, to be completed within 60 minutes.

Passing the multiple-choice section (minimum score: 18/30) is a prerequisite for the evaluation of the open-ended questions. Both the multiple-choice and the open-ended questions cover the entire course syllabus. No mid-term examinations are scheduled.

International students with sufficient proficiency in Italian who study the Italian-language materials may take the same examination described above; if they wish, they may answer the two open-ended questions in English.

Students who do not have sufficient reading proficiency in Italian and who choose the English-language textbook and monograph will instead take a written examination consisting of five open-ended questions in English, to be answered in English.

The following materials will be uploaded to the Virtuale platform:

• a sample examination paper;
• a certificate of attendance for employers;
• lecture slides;
• the methodological essay;
• the reading list for the monographic component of the course;
• suggestions for additional optional readings;
• discussion forums;
• announcements and communications from the teaching staff.

 

 

Teaching tools

Teaching materials include lecture slides, videos, websites, and the University's Virtuale platform.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or disabilities are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service as early as possible: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it .

The University's support service will propose any appropriate accommodations for eligible students. Such accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days in advance for approval, and will be assessed in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Ghigi