02507 - Political Sociology

Academic Year 2009/2010

  • Docente: Sergio Belardinelli
  • Credits: 8
  • SSD: SPS/11
  • Language: Italian
  • Moduli: Sergio Belardinelli (Modulo 1) Paolo Terenzi (Modulo 2)
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Forli
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Sociology and Criminology Sciences for Safety (cod. 0467)

Learning outcomes

The course assumes the student has a good knowledge of the classic works of sociology. The aim of the syllabus is to offer students the necessary tools of critical analysis of political phenomenon in general, with particular emphasis on the links between political cultures and institutional aspects.

Course contents

The course is formed of two parts. The general section will introduce some fundamental concepts of the discipline (power, the state, authority, the theory of elites, liberalism, democracy, ideology, revolution, totalitarianism). The specialisation section will look more deeply into some paradoxes of modern democracy.

Readings/Bibliography

For the general section:

M. Rush, Politica e Società. Introduzione alla sociologia politica, il Mulino, Bologna, 2005.

For the monographic section:

S. Eisenstadt, Paradossi della democrazia. Verso democrazie illiberali, Il Mulino, Bologna 2002.

Teaching methods

Teaching is divided into two modules of 25 hours each. The module covering the general section will be held by Professor Belardinelli, while the specialisation section will be taught by Professor Paolo Terenzi.

Assessment methods

There will be a written examination.

Office hours

See the website of Sergio Belardinelli

See the website of Paolo Terenzi