30197 - SOCIOLOGY

This course is designed to be a broad introduction to the field of sociology. Students encounter some of the most influential theories developed, imagined and used by sociologists to make sense of the social world. We discuss and acquire familiarity with the concepts sociologists typically use in their work, and with some of the core methods sociologists employ to investigate the social world. For instance, students gain an understanding of what sociologists mean when they talk about culture, socialization and social structure, and how sociologists analyse these concepts linking theory and empirical analyses. The course also encourages students to think critically (i.e. as a social scientist, about human life and societies and develop their own questions about social life). Finally, the course pays particular attention to the broad themes of inequality as it pertains to race, class and gender, and the social changes it brought about, as well as family changes, by adopting a life course perspective.

The main topics covered in the course are:

- Main sociological theories of the past (e.g., Durkheim, Marx, Weber)

- Gender and Sexuality

- Values and norms

- Crime and Deviance 

- Social interactions, networks, and capital

- Families and lifecourse

- Social stratification

Autonomously and critically search, and understand, sociological research on a wide range of topics, with diverse methodological approaches, linking this research to wider knowledge across the spectrum of social sciences.

Cast sociological explanatory hypotheses on a wide range of social phenomena, in particular concerning policy-relevant issues, and to sketch research designs useful to test such hypotheses.

• Face-to-face lectures
• Interactive class activities (role playing, business game, simulation, online forum, instant polls)

Interactive class activities: in almost every lecture there are interactive class activties, such as role playing or puzzles to be solved in group.

Students can choose between two partial exams or a final general exam.

Written exams includes both short answers and essay-style questions. The questions cover theory, and interpretation of the results of applied research. The exam cover all topics of the course. Material covered in the lectures, in the text book and other set readings may be included in the exam.

Book: A. GIDDENS, P.W. SUTTON, Sociology,  Polity, 8th Edition.

Readings: a set of readings and lecture slides are available on Bboard.