SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES - I

The course is part of the common core-teachings of the Bachelor's Degree Program in Sciences of Society and Social Service, and it constitutes an introduction to general Sociology. It focuses on three key concepts of sociological thinking – order, security, and integration – which refer to crucial issues for the understanding of contemporary society.
In more detail, the course aims to provide basic knowledge about the theoretical perspectives and the key concepts of Sociology, and through the analysis of these theories and categories, relevant issues such as social change, status and material inequalities, government of migrations, and social cohesion will be addressed.

1. Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course students are expected to know:
- the key terms and concepts of sociology.
- the main theoretical perspectives in sociology.


2. Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course students are expected to be able to
- properly use sociological terminology.
- express in a clear way the contents of the course.
- apply the developed skills to research and social work.


3. Evaluating skills

By the end of the course students are expected to
- be able to apply the concepts learned to the understanding of the changes in society and social work.


4. Communication skills

By the end of the course students are expected to have improved their ability to
- communicate the main theory of sociology, also stressing their operational implications by using a correct terminology.
- interacting with other students: discussing about the issues of the course.
- giving a presentation to the class about a work group (not mandatory).


5. Learning skills

By the end of the course students are expected to have learnt how to
- critically use textbooks (and their references).
- use other materials uploaded on moodles: this is important for making connections among different approaches and different contexts.

Students should have basic knowledge of the functioning of Italian state.

The course aims to describe three theoretical concepts that have taken shape within sociological thinking and then find a broad diffusion in the public discourse, so as to penetrate deeply into common sense. Through the examination of these categories, the study of some of the main authors of classical and contemporary Sociology will be conducted.
The study of these authors will be carried out together with the analysis of the ways the concepts of order, security, and integration are currently used by public actors and the media in key sectors of public life.

With this in mind, the three theoretical categories will be deconstructed and analyzed in the following way:
• Order
- Order vs Conflict
- Public Order and Social Order
- An Organicistic Vision of Society
• Security
- Civil Security and Social Security
- The Dilemmas of Social Control
- The Symbolic and Material Boundaries of Community
• Integration
- From Class Conflict to the Fear of Immigration
- Civic Stratification and the New Inequalities Linked to Immigration
- The Differential Inclusion of Non-Citizens

1) Jedlowski P., 2009, Il mondo in questione. Introduzione alla storia del pensiero sociologico. Roma, Carocci (except for chapters 13 and 14).

2) one of these two books:
- Castel R., 2011, L'insicurezza sociale. Che significa essere protetti?, Torino, Einaudi;
- Pitch. T., 2013, Contro il decoro. L'uso politico della pubblica decenza. Roma-Bari, Laterza.

Students are required to take a written test consisting of 3 or 4 open questions to be answered These questions are aimed at verifying their acquisition of the fundamental concepts contained in the reference readings, also in a transversal way to the topics addressed, in order to evaluate their skill in activating an overall approach and understanding related to the various topics.

The lessons will mainly consist of lectures, with insights on the contents described above. However, participation by the students attending class, in the form of questions, observations, and additions, is highly encouraged.

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development