Course 2020-2021 a.y.

1. First Block - Sociological Research: the course is structured in a series of lectures on the population science approach to sociological research, complemented by readings on substantive topics. For what concerns the approach, three main interlocked streams are discussed:
   • Populations and empirical regularities, individual variability and methodological individualism.
   • Explanations and social mechanisms. The role of data and statistics.
   • Alternative approaches to sociological research. Methodological holism and the multiplicity of sociologies. Sociological articles discussed deal with topics such as:
     • Family and social reproduction.
     • Social stratification and inequality.
     • Religion and secularization.
     • Social movements.
     • Migration and residential segregation.
     • Diversity and social cohesion.
2. Second Block - Institutions and economic outcomes: the course covers specific topics on the links between formal and informal institutions and economic outcomes:
   • The conventional theoretical framework used to identify growth-enhancing institutions.
   • Empirical evidence on the causal effect of institutions on long-term development.
   • Alternative approaches to study the relationship between institutions and economic outcomes.
   • The relationship between institutions, inequality and macroeconomic outcomes.

First Block - Sociological Research:

• Be familiar with sociological research through a population science lens, as well as be acquainted with alternative approaches to sociology.
• Understand evidence and sociological explanation for a range of important social science topics.

Second Block - Institutions and Economic Outcomes:

• Discuss the impact of institutions on economic outcomes.
• Acknowledge the different approaches to address the role of institutions in market economies.
• Illustrate varieties of capitalism.

(1) First Block - Sociological Research. After successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Read, discuss and criticize general-interest intermediate-level articles in sociology journals.
• Have an introductory insight on how to start a new sociological research project.
• Adopt a more critical approach to social science research in general.

(2) Second Block - Institutions and Economic Outcomes. After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the aims and limitations of simple measures of institutions.
• Framing the policy question in theoretical terms.
• Choose the appropriate data to perform empirical analysis on the impact of the policy.
• Analyze and interpret the results of the empirical analyses.
• Advocate for specific institutional reforms.

• Face-to-face lectures

Lectures.

• Block I - Sociological Research. The assessment and final grade is based on a written exam, with no difference between attending and non-attending students. Written exams include a number of essay-style questions. Exams cover all topics of the course. Material covered in the lectures (including slides), in the textbook and other set readings may be included in the exam. A mock exam is presented and discussed during the last lecture.
• Block II - Institutions and Economic Outcomes. The assessment and final grade is based on a written exam, with no difference between attending and non-attending students.

First Block- Sociological Research: the course use a textbook:

• Textbook: J.H. GOLDTHORPE, Sociology as a Population Science, Cambridge University Press, 2016. 
• A series of scientific articles, which are listed in the detailed syllabus of the courses.
• All course materials, including slides and readings, are posted on Bboard in advance of each lecture. A set of non-compulsory additional readings are also distributed.

Second Block - Institutions and Economic Outcomes: most of the course is based on articles from scientific journals and working papers.

• The compulsory readings are provided during the course. A set of slides are uploaded before class and are compulsory material for the exam.
• The slides also offer an extended, optional reading list.