96111 - SOCIOLOGIA DEL DIRITTO E TECNOLOGIE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the main classical sociological theories relevant to the formation of a sociological vision of law and its relationship with society, as well as the ability to understand from a sociological perspective some of the most important social dynamics linked to the use of technology.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts. The first is devoted to

- the exposition of the philosophical and legal theories that have contributed to the formation of a sociological approach to law,

- an illustration of the main perspectives used in contemporary sociology of law
- the study of empirical research methodologies and their possible applications.
The second part of the course is dedicated to an analysis, from a sociological perspective, of some of the most important social dynamics linked to the use of technologies, such as, for example, the phenomena of polarisation, the creation of ideological bubbles and online hate speech.

Readings/Bibliography

FOR NON-ATTENDING students:

1. For the first part: R. Treves, Sociologia del diritto, Einaudi, Turin, 2002, chapters II (excluding par. 10 and 11), III (only par. 12 and 13), V (only par. 28), VII, and IX (only par. 51 and 54).
- In addition, reading of: Annalisa Verza, Ibn Khaldun. Le origini arabe della sociologia della civilizzazione e del potere, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2018, chapters 1 (paragraph I only), 3 and 4.

2. For Part 2: Reading one item of your choice from the following:

Dominique Cardon, Che cosa sognano gli algoritmi, 2016, Milano: Mondadori

Alessandro Lolli, La guerra dei meme, 2020 (2017), Firenze: Effequ

FOR ATTENDING students (at least 70% of the lectures) it will be possible to bring for both parts, as an alternative, the notes of the lectures together with the integrations provided in class during the course.
- In addition, reading of: Annalisa Verza, Ibn Khaldun.Le origini arabe della sociologia della civilizzazione e del potere, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2018, chapters 1 (paragraph I only), 3 and 4.

Teaching methods

Frontal teaching. The teacher will also use powerpoint slides and films. In general during the course, discussion among the students on the theoretical issues addressed will be encouraged.

On the platform Virtuale of Unibo dedicated to the course, simple assignments will be proposed and collected, assigned in order to keep student participation alive.

Please, note that around one third of the classes of this course will be scheduled to be delivered online.

Attending classes is not compulsory, but only students who attended at least the 70% of the classes  will be admitted to the alternative assessment methods (see below).

Assessment methods

Oral discussion on some of the topics dealt with during the course, in order to assess not only the knowledge acquired but also the critical and methodological skills developed by the student.
Grading of the final mark
Preparation on a very limited number of topics; analytical skills emerging only with the help of the teacher; overall correct language → 18-19.
Preparation on a limited number of topics; limited analytical skills; language correct → 20-24.
Preparation on a large number of topics; appreciable critical skills; mastery of specific terminology → 25-29.
Comprehensive preparation; above average critical skills; full command of specific terminology; ability to argue independently → 30-30L.

 

Only students attending at least 70% of the lessons will be given the opportunity to take the examination, if desired, through a written multiple-choice test on the contents of the first part, and the subsequent writing of an essay on one of the topics of the second part. The duration of the written test will be 40 minutes; the grade for this test will be determined mathematically by the number of correct answers; the maximum score obtainable by giving all correct answers will be 30; the use of textbooks and notes is not permitted during the test.

The final mark may be up to 30 cum laude and will be determined by balancing the results obtained in the various stages of the examination. In any case, in addition to the knowledge of the contents, the articulation and accuracy of the exposition and the ability to make critical evaluations will be assessed.

Teaching tools

The teacher will use powerpoint slides and films.

Students with special needs related to different forms of disability or to DSA, are welcome to contact their teacher in order to be referred to the contact persons and to arrange the most appropriate measures to be taken.

Office hours

See the website of Annalisa Verza