SOCIOLOGIA GENERALE 2

The main aim of the course is to provide students with a solid grounding in the fundamentals of sociology as a discipline concerned with the study of society in both its theoretical and empirical dimensions. It offers a concise introduction to the key components and fields of application of sociological knowledge. These concepts will also be explored through the study of the classical authors of sociology and the acquisition of fundamental knowledge concerning the history of sociological thought and theory. As a complement to the core part of the course, particular attention will be devoted to the most influential American and European theories of collective action, with the aim of providing students with a broad understanding of the various collective phenomena that constitute society, while fostering a critical awareness of the use of different methodological approaches. The specialist section of the course will further develop the theoretical component by focusing on one of the topics previously introduced: fashion as a form of collective action.

The course is expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge and understanding: students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding that extend and/or enhance those typically associated with the first cycle, providing a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas within a theoretical and/or applied research context.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to apply their knowledge, understanding and problem-solving abilities in new or unfamiliar contexts, including broader or interdisciplinary settings.
3. Making judgements: students will be able to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and to formulate judgements on the basis of limited or incomplete information, including reflection on the social, scientific and ethical responsibilities associated with the application of their knowledge and judgements.
4. Communication skills: students will acquire the ability to communicate their conclusions, together with the knowledge and rationale underpinning them, clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
5. Learning skills: students will develop the learning skills required to pursue further study in a largely self-directed or autonomous manner.

The course will consist of lectures and a series of optional seminars on the main topics covered in the syllabus.

No prerequisites are required.

INSTITUTIONAL SECTION:

1) Sociology as a science centred on the person; The origins of Sociology; Karl Marx and the relations of production; Émile Durkheim and the problem of social order; Max Weber and social action; Georg Simmel and forms of interaction; Herbert Blumer and symbolic interaction; Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton and the requirements of social coexistence; Erving Goffman and the interaction order; Raymond Boudon and the individual; Pierre Bourdieu and social practices; Anthony Giddens and the analysis of radical modernity; Zygmunt Bauman and liquidity; Being in relation; Developing a sense of belonging; Reproducing cultures; Reproducing social norms; Communicating: mediatisation; Living in everyday life; The life course; Living family life; Acting together; Learning and educating; Living in a global world; Living on the planet: climate change;

2) Collective action as a social process; Discontinuity and continuity in collective action; Models of rationality in collective action; Social movements as empirical referents; Collective action and research methods; Concluding hypotheses; Fashion as collective action; #ItalianiSenzaCittadinanza: the collective action of second-generation migrants in Italy; Collective action and environmental sustainability.

MONOGRAPHIC SECTION (ONE VOLUME TO BE CHOSEN):

3) Sociological approaches to the concept of fashion; Emerging themes in postmodernity; Young people, fashion and identity processes: processes of social inclusion and exclusion through fashion; Conformity and originality among young people: empirical research.

4) An overview of the earliest pioneering studies in sociology in Italy; a concise reconstruction of the positivist and project-oriented character of the social sciences; an example of research based on textual data; disciplinary reflections on the social responsibility associated with sociological knowledge.

1) Giddens A., Sociology, Cambridge : Polity Press; 1989.

2) Staggenborg S., Social movements, New York: Oxford University Press 2016.

3)  Simmel G, Fashion, The American Journal of Sociology, Volume LXII, 6, 1957.

Assessment Methods

The assessment consists of a mid-course test (halfway through the course), a written examination (at the end of the course), and an oral examination (during an examination session chosen by the student).

Mid-course test: this covers the volume Bichi R., Sociologia, Vita & Pensiero, Milan, 2022, pp. IX–XII, 5–32, 44–81, 111–120, 153–167, 190–201, 263–326, 383–439, 464–516, 546–557, 600–611, 668–690. The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and lasts 2 hours. The test is marked on a scale of 30.

Written examination: this covers the volume Daher L.M., Azione collettiva. Teoria e ricerca empirica, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2021. The examination consists of 30 multiple-choice questions and lasts 1 hour. The examination is marked on a scale of 30.

Both the mid-course test and the written examination will be administered in person, in the lecture room, via the Exams platform (https://exam.net/it/).

Validity of the assessments: The marks obtained in the two assessments remain valid for one academic year.

Oral examination: this covers one of the following monographs, to be chosen by the student: Mavica G., Definizioni di moda. Soggettività giovanili e cambiamento sociale, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2024, or Leonora A.M., Conoscere per governare. Sistema di Sociologia di Enrico De Marinis, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2025. Preparation relating to the chosen volume will be assessed through an oral examination, which will also be marked on a scale of 30.

Determination of the final mark. The final mark is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the three marks obtained: the mark awarded for the first mid-course test, the mark awarded for the second written examination, and the mark awarded for the oral examination.

The overall assessment will take into account students’ knowledge and command of the subject matter, their ability to understand and establish connections between the different topics, and their ability to use sociological concepts and categories appropriately. In the oral examination, students’ ability to construct and develop an argument, clarity of exposition, and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology will also be assessed.

CRITERIA FOR THE AWARD OF THE FINAL MARK

• Examination not passed: insufficient knowledge of the fundamental course content and difficulty in using the main sociological concepts.

• 18–21: minimum but sufficiently adequate knowledge of the course content; basic ability to understand and establish connections between topics; sufficiently clear exposition.

• 22–25: satisfactory knowledge of the course content; adequate ability to understand, analyse and establish connections between the main topics; reasonably clear exposition and generally appropriate use of disciplinary terminology.

• 26–28: good knowledge and understanding of the course content; good ability to analyse, establish connections and apply sociological concepts; clear exposition and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology.

• 29–30 and honours: thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the course content; a high level of ability in critical analysis, establishing connections and independently reworking the topics covered; full command of sociological concepts and rigorous and appropriate exposition.

Assessment of learning outcomes may also be conducted remotely, should circumstances so require.

In order to guarantee equal opportunities and in accordance with current legislation, students concerned may request an individual meeting in order to arrange any appropriate compensatory measures and/or exemptions, taking into account the learning objectives and their specific needs. Students may also contact the Department’s designated CInAP lecturer (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration — Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Difficulties) (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

- How does Weber define the process through which we connect action with shared representations?

a. Rationality;

b. Explanation;

c. Understanding.

- What are the principal ideologies of modernity?

a. Liberalism, democracy, socialism and nationalism;

b. Liberalism, Marxism, socialism and nationalism;

c. Federalism, Marxism, liberalism and socialism.

- For Simmel, sociology as a science is:

a. Cultural;

b. Eclectic;

c. Positivist.

- Bauman’s highly narrative approach to sociology has been viewed by critics with:

a. Optimism;

b. Scepticism;

c. Indifference.

- Which of the following statements is true regarding Bourdieu’s concept of habitus?

a. It is a structured structure, meaning that it is dependent upon the social world;

b. It is not a principle that generates practices;

c. It is not a structuring structure.

- According to Durkheim, social facts:

a. Have an autonomous existence;

b. Exist independently of individuals, although individuals must internalise them;

c. Must be treated as subjective things.