73373 - SOCIOLOGIA DELLA FAMIGLIA E DELLE DIFFERENZE DI GENERE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will:

1. Be familiar with perspectives and social development scenarios of children and adolescents.
2. Understand the main interpretative models of family system evolution at the national and international levels.
3. Possess theories and operational tools to analyze family contexts.
4. Be capable of comprehending and critically analyzing the factors contributing to the construction of gender roles.
5. Be proficient in using the gender category and concepts from contemporary feminist thought, applying them in an international context.
6. Be knowledgeable about the main dynamics related to gender inequalities in Italy, both within and outside the family (particularly in education and the workforce).
7. Understand the current evolution of motherhood and fatherhood models.
8. Know the work-family reconciliation tools adopted at the local and national levels and be able to discuss them from an international comparative perspective.
9. Master the theme of gender differences from a historical and sociological standpoint

Course contents

The course explores key concepts in the sociology of the family and gender studies.

The first part introduces the main theoretical perspectives on family, sex, gender, and sexual orientation. It delves into the following themes: dynamics of socialization into gender roles, implications of differences and inequalities between men and women, gender and sexual emancipation in Italian history and the history of feminism, and the social construction of femininity and masculinity in contemporary media.

The second part focuses on family dynamics from a gender perspective, including: transitions to adulthood, fertility and the labor market, family bonds, work-family balance, and the everyday experience of family life.

Finally, the course concludes with a section dedicated to adopting a gender and intersectional perspective in educational practices.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory readings are:

1. Powerpoint slides available at Virtuale.unibo.it (course platform);

2. C. Saraceno e M. Naldini, Sociologia della famiglia, fourth ed., Mulino, Bologna 2021, chapters 1,3,4,5,7,8.

3. R. Ghigi, Fare la differenza. L'educazione di genere dalla prima infanzia all'età adulta, Il Mulino (new edition, 2023);

4. F. Restaino "Il pensiero femminista. Una storia possibile", in A. Cavarero e F. Restaino, Le filosofie femministe, Mondadori, 2002.

5. A text of student's choice from a list of readings.

Erasmus students are permitted to write the final test in English. Alternatively, they are allowed to take the exam on a different program, based on texts in English (list is available in Virtuale).

The examination program is designed to treat all students equally, regardless of attendance. There will be no differentiation between attending and non-attending students during the evaluation process. Throughout the course, an engaging and interactive learning environment will be created. Lectures will be designed to be participatory and dynamic, fostering active student involvement and encouraging meaningful discussions.

Teaching methods

Interactive classes; reading of texts; multimedia supports. E-learning environment. Collaborative digital work.

The course adheres to the University of Bologna's experimentation plan on hybrid teaching methods.

Assessment methods

The 8 CFU exam consists, for both attendees and non-attendees, of the same 60-minute written test based on 14 multiple-choice questions about the required texts (2 points for each correct answer, 0 for each unanswered question, -1 for each wrong answer), and two open-ended questions about the required texts and/or the chosen text.

A sample of the exam will be available on the e-learning platform of the course before the first exam session (usually in June, as this is a second-semester course).

For the exam program concerning a lower number of CFUs (credit points) than 8, please refer to the communications on the Virtual platform.

During the course, participatory teaching methodologies will be used, based on the use of digital technologies and group work.

Teaching tools

Slides; readings; videos and multimedia; e-learning platform; collaborative digital workspaces.

Office hours

See the website of Rossella Ghigi