75788 - Sociology of Culture

Learning outcomes

The course investigates the role played by culture in social relations and in institutional processes as well. In particular, culture is analysed such as one of the main resources developed by social groups, people and Nations, that is as the focus on some crucial geopolitical, economic and religious themes that dominate the international debate. At the end of the course, students are able to know the different perspectives outlined by classic authors about the relationship between society and culture. Moreover, they are able to point out and examine the cultural dynamics that are involved in social processes both nationwide and at an international level.

Course contents

The course examines sociology’s main contributions to our understanding of national and international cultural processes, with particular focus on: Social and Intellectual Forces in the Rise and Development of Sociological Theory; The development of French Sociology (A. de Tocqueville; Comte); Karl Marx; Émile Durkheim; Max Weber; Simmel; Structural Functionalism (Parsons); Conflict Theory (R. Darhendorf, R. Collins); Symbolic Interactionsim (E. Goffman); Rational Chioce Theory (J.S. Coleman); Contemporary Theories of Modernity (A. Giddens; U. Beck; Z. Bauman; J. Habermas; C. Taylor; M. Castells); Historically Oriented Marxism on the Modern World-System (I. Wallerstein); Globalization Theory.

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to: have an analytical and critical understanding of the specific contribution of the main social theorists and schools of thought they have studied; be able to identify sociological works and theories that have also had an impact on the study of international relations; have a good understanding of the fundamental problems of social epistemology and ontology (individualism vs. holism; materialism vs. cultural autonomy; realism vs. social constructionism; social order vs. social conflict; cosmopolitanism vs. communitarianism); know the main interpretations of the relationship between culture, society and politics with particular attention to the significance and role of cultural pluralism in modern contemporary society.

Readings/Bibliography

Section I

G. Ritzer, J.N. Stepniski, Sociological Theory, 10th edition, Sage, Los Angeles, 2018.

Class notes

 

Section II (a chosen book)

J.C. Alexander, Performance and Power, Polity, Cambridge, 2011.

M. A. Centeno, E. Enriquez, War and Society, Polity, Cambridge, 2016.

G. Crowder, Theories of Multiculturalism. An Introduction, Polity, Cambridge, 2013.

Ronald F. Inglehart, Cultural Evolution: People's Motivations are Changing, and Reshaping the World, Cambridge University Press, 2018.

B. Moffitt, The Global Rise of Populism. Performance, Political Style, and Representation, Stanford, Stanford University Press, 2016.

J. S. Nye, Soft Power: The Means To Success In World Politics, Public Affairs, New York, 2005.

Teaching methods

The course consists of traditional lectures, each dealing with a specific topic. All students are asked to register to the distribution list in order to receive via e-mail information and teaching material the professor makes available (the service is available only to regularly matriculated students).

Assessment methods

Examinations for attending students

Attending students will carry out: three midterm written tests on the book indicated in Section I and an oral examination on a chosen book indicated in Section II.

Each midterm written test will last 50 minutes and will consist of 6 open ended questions. The mark for each midterm test will be expressed out of a maximum of thirty points, the pass mark will be 18. Only those students who have sat and passed all three midterm tests may sit the oral exam that will take place during the Summer or September exam sessions. Should students not sit (or fail) one of the three written midterm tests, they will be able to (re-)sit the midterm test choosing between the Summer or September exam sessions.

The first midterm test will be held on Monday the 18th of March; the second midterm test on Monday the 29th of April; the third midterm test on Wednesday the 22nd of May.

 

Examinations for non-attending students

Students who do not sit the three midterm written tests or who do not sit/pass at least two of the midterm written tests will be considered as non-attending.

During the Summer or September exam sessions, non-attending students will carry out a written test on the book indicated in Section I (in this case the written test will last 100 minutes and will consist in 15 open ended questions), an oral exam on the book indicated in Section I and on a chosen book indicated in Section II.

Teaching tools

Video projector

Office hours

See the website of Lorenza Gattamorta