00905 - Sociology (A-E)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, a student: - has a basic knowledge of Sociology (its origins, its main paradigms, theories, methods and topics); - has some analytical tools for an adequate comprehension of contemporary social phenomena (such as globalization and modernity).

Course contents

Introduction and explanation of main sociological approaches, with specific reference to some classical authors and theories. Illustration of the theoretical, methodological and epistemological debate based on the necessity to introduce new approaches in order to cross the dichotomic distinctions which affected sociology in modernity (agency/structure; micro/macro; quality/quantity; individualism/collectivism). A specific attention will be paid on those phenomena which define the transformation of society, such as Modernity.

Readings/Bibliography

First Part – Institutional: Main approaches to the study of society:
O'Byrne, D.
2017 Sociologia. Fondamenti e teorie, Milano-Torino, Pearson (2nd edition).

Second Part – Monographic: A sociological reflection on Modernity
A choice among these 5 possibilities:

1. Beyond Hobbes' Contract: Political Modernity and the problem of Moltitude in Spinoza:
Sini, C.
2012 Spinoza, Milano, Book Time.
Cacciari, M.
2013 Spinoza e il problema della libertà, La Repubblica – L’Espresso.

2. Modernity in a multidisciplinary perspective:
Lévi-Strauss, C.
2017 L’antropologia di fronte ai problemi del mondo moderno, Milano, Bompiani.
Eisenstadt, S.
2016 Modernizzazione in pezzi, Milano-Udine, Mimesis.

3. Hard Boyled Literature as a critic of Modernity:
Corcuff, P.
2017 Romanzo poliziesco, filosofia e critica sociale, Milano-Udine, Mimesis.
Martignani, L.
2018 Realismo sovversivo. Sociologia del genere noir, Verona, Ombre corte.

4. Sexual Identity in Modernity
Garfinkel, H.
2005 Agnese, Roma, Armando.
Goffman, E.
2009 Il rapporto tra i sessi, Roma, Armando.

5. Global Terrorism as a perversion of Modernity:
Castel, R.
2004 L’insicurezza sociale. Che significa essere protetti?, Torino, Einaudi.
Di Cesare, D.
2017 Terrore e modernità, Torino, Einaudi.

Teaching methods

Lessons and seminars.
Exercises on specific approaches.

Assessment methods

Written examination (test).

Students with supplementary conditional advancement must plan with the teacher the writing of a paper. The topic of this paper should be concentrated on part of the lessons or on a text to define.

Teaching tools

Lessons and seminars.
Audio-visual tools and power point presentations (slides).
Bibliographical References and conceptual maps.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Martignani