76041 - Sociology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will have acquired a basic understanding of social change in relation to values, lifestyles, and modes of social communication.
They will be able to analyse the processes through which normative orientations emerge and spread, and to address the complexity of contemporary social structures.

Course contents

Course description:
Introduction to the main concepts and perspectives in the sociology of culture and communication.
Focus on culture as a constitutive dimension of social life.
Analysis of socialization processes, embodiment, and reworking of social meanings.
Study of the relationship between media, consumption, and identity.
Reflection on the cultural and social construction of health and well-being.

Main topics / Lessons:

1. Sociological imagination and culture

2. Socialization, embodiment, interaction

3. Media, consumption and identity

4. Health, illness and cultural meanings 

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students
Course and exam materials:

• Griswold W. (2005). Sociologia della cultura. Bologna: Il Mulino (Preface, Ch. 1 and 7).

• Lonardi C. (2008). “Salute,” in C. Cipolla (ed.), I concetti del sapere sociologico. Milano: FrancoAngeli, pp. 75–103 / selected ***

• Woodward S., Fisher, T. (eds.) (2023). Show Reels: Shoes, Feet and the Politics of Walking. London: Bloomsbury. (Introduction, pp. 1–12): https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/show-reels-shoes-feet-and-the-politics-of-walking

Articles, case studies, film sequences, and visual documents will be provided and discussed during lectures.

 

Non-attending students

• Griswold W. (2005). Sociologia della cultura. Bologna: Il Mulino.

• Lonardi C. (2008). “Salute,” in C. Cipolla (ed.), I concetti del sapere sociologico. Milano: FrancoAngeli.***

• Maturo A., Setiffi F. (2018). Sociologia del wellness. Bologna: Il Mulino → Ch. 3: “La costruzione culturale del benessere.”

***Provided by the instructor: see "Virtuale", supplementary materials folder.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and interactive activities.
Use of visual and multimedia materials (images, videos, film excerpts).
Presentations with Prezi and/or PowerPoint.
Class discussions and collective reflections based on the proposed materials (learning by doing approach).

Assessment methods

Attending students: oral presentation and discussion of an individual written project entitled “If My Feet Could Talk.”
The project is based on the framework provided in class during the fifth lesson and applies course concepts to a specific case. Narrative and visual materials (pictures, videos, collages, drawings, comic strips) may be included. Attendance of at least 4 out of 5 classes is required.

Assessment criteria: theoretical coherence, argumentative clarity, creative autonomy, and critical reasoning.

Non-attending students: oral exam on the texts listed in the syllabus (three open questions assessing understanding, critical understanding, and the ability to apply concepts).

 

Teaching tools

Multimedia presentations (Prezi, PowerPoint); audiovisual materials; photographs and visual documents; scientific articles; guided discussions; group work; interactive classroom activities.

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Guarino