General Sociology

The main objective of the course is to provide students with the fundamental foundations of sociology as a science that studies society. It aims to offer a concise introduction to the various constituent elements and fields of application of sociological knowledge.

These concepts will also be deepened by studying the classics of sociology and learning some of the fundamentals of the history of sociological thought and theory. The aim is therefore to provide an overview of the classics of sociology and some of the main contemporary sociological theories.

The third module aims at representing the current debate in the social sciences through the possibility for students to choose from a list of OER (open educational resources) a selection of three or more articles organised in two papers (a multimedia presentation and a written report of 10,000 characters including spaces) of theoretical and/or research contributions from the indicated journals. Students who use materials in English will have an additional mark determined by the committee on the basis of their performance. Specific space will be given during the module 3 lectures to enable students to carry out their work to the best of their ability.

At the end of the course, the student will have mastered the main constituent elements and fields of application of sociological knowledge; he/she will also acquire the ability to read a classic and contemporary sociology text and to discern the main analytical and critical aspects; finally, the student will learn a sociological language and will be able to use it to communicate disciplinary contents and to indicate conceptual categories and social phenomena.

Good level of general culture and information on the main events and social facts that characterise current affairs and public debate in Italy and abroad.

It is an advantage to have already studied sociological subjects.

It is an advantage to have already studied social research methodology.

1) What is society?; Individual and collective social actors, and identity; Social structures: institution and organization.

2) K. Marx; E. Durkeim; G. Simmel; M. Weber; Le origini della sociologia americana; La sociologia americana fra gli anni Trenta e Cinquanta.

1)     Crespi F., Introduzione alla sociologia, il Mulino, 2002, Bologna, pp. 37-129.

2)     Jedlowski P., Il mondo in questione. Introduzione alla storia del pensiero sociologico, Carocci, 2009. The following chapters have to be studied: K. Marx (pp. 39-63); E. Durkeim (pp. 65-91); G. Simmel (pp. 93-118); M. Weber (pp. 119-148); Le origini della sociologia americana (pp. 149-158); La sociologia americana fra gli anni Trenta e Cinquanta (pp. 211-232)

3)   Quaderni di Sociologia - ITA https://journals.openedition.org/qds/

      Sociologica - ENG https://sociologica.unibo.it

      Italian Sociological review - http://www.italiansociologicalreview.com

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the UNICT Library system.

The assessment of the examination will take into account the candidate's mastery of the content and skills acquired, linguistic accuracy and lexical propriety, as well as his/her argumentation ability and critical thinking.

Some ongoing tests will be planned.

 What is society?

Distinguishing between individual and social actors

collectives.

Define the concept of identity.

What is meant by social structure?

Discuss family institutions.

Define the concept of social function

Distinguish between class per sé and class in sé

Explain Weber's theory

What are the main American theories of the turn of the century?

Distinguish between the theoretical approach of T. Parsons and that of R.K. Merton.