The course provides students with a knowledge of the fundamentals of sociology that is necessary for the course of study undertaken and useful for interpreting the major collective challenges of the times in which we live with greater awareness. Through the course, students will learn the fundamental concepts of sociological analysis and learn to use them not only to better understand the experiences of everyday life, from family life to intimate and friendship relationships, but also to interpret phenomena of general relevance to contemporary social life, from youth unemployment to the growth of inequality, from the rise of so-called 'populisms' to the relevance of digital media. By expanding their sociological imagination, students on the course will learn to problematise what is taken for granted or considered natural by common sense, acquiring the ability to think and think about themselves sociologically.

The course introduces and deals with the fundamental concepts and categories of sociological analysis, and is divided into four main subject areas:
1. The elements of society: culture, social structure, roles, socialisation, social interaction, organisations, deviance and social control, community and urban life. 
2. Inequalities: social stratifications and classes, ethnicity, gender, age. 
3. The main institutions: family, education, religion, economy and society, political system
4. Society and change: population dynamics, collective behaviour and social movements. social and cultural change.  
The detailed course programme (syllabus) will be provided at the beginning of the lessons and will be available on the Moodle blended.uniurb.it platform.

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At the end of the course, students acquire:

Knowledge and understanding skills: an understanding of the distinction between sociological knowledge and common sense knowledge

Applied knowledge and understanding: knowledge and understanding of the concepts covered in the course and the essential vocabulary of sociology. The ability to outline a general framework of the discipline, with particular reference to the fundamental concepts of sociological analysis, in order to be able to continue in the course of study

Autonomy of judgement: ability to discern between sociological knowledge and common sense knowledge. 

Communication skills: ability to read and interpret the main elements of society, inequalities, major institutions and processes of social change.  The ability to interpret events of everyday life, news events and personal experiences from a sociological perspective

Ability to learn: ability to find the necessary sources for the development of sociological knowledge, ability to independently interpret issues related to different social contexts. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures and active learning activities (comprehension quizzes, think-pair-share, brainstorming, concept maps, free-write)

Innovative teaching methods

comprehension quizzes, think-pair-share, brainstorming, concept maps, free-write

Attendance

Attendance of at least 3/4 of the lesson hours

Course books

Sociology Project. A guide to the sociological imagination. 2nd edition. Manza, Arum, Haney. Ed Pearson. 

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed by means of a written test comprising three open questions. The time available to answer the proposed questions is 2 hours. The assessment criteria are: the level of mastery of knowledge, the degree of articulation of the answer, the level of mastery in the knowledge and application of the various sociological topics. Each of the criteria is assessed on the basis of a four-level value/judgement scale. Particular weight is given to the first two criteria. The criterion relating to the application of the various sociological topics constitutes a further appreciable requirement. The grade for the written test is expressed in thirtieths.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.

Course books

Sociology Project. A guide to the sociological imagination. 2nd edition. Manza, Arum, Haney. Ed Pearson. 

 Giulia Garofalo Geymonat, Vendere e comprare sesso, l Mulino, Farsi un'idea, 2014

Assessment

The expected learning outcomes will be assessed by means of a written test comprising four open questions. The time available to answer the proposed questions is 2 hours. The assessment criteria are: the level of mastery of knowledge, the degree of articulation of the answer, the level of mastery in the knowledge and application of the various sociological topics. Each of the criteria is assessed on the basis of a four-level value/judgement scale. Particular weight is given to the first two criteria. The criterion relating to the application of the various sociological topics constitutes a further appreciable requirement. The grade for the written test is expressed in thirtieths.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.