Ateneo - UPO

The course introduces students to the main concepts and perspectives of the human sciences that are relevant to understanding social, health, and educational phenomena. Drawing on the analytical frameworks of sociology and the philosophy of science, the course examines the main processes and mechanisms that shape social life, the foundations of social research, and the principal approaches to the production of scientific knowledge in medicine. Particular attention is devoted to understanding health and illness in their biological, social, and cultural dimensions, the relationship between scientific evidence, clinical reasoning, and decision-making processes, as well as the interconnections between the micro-, meso-, and macro-social levels. The course also explores the role of cognitive biases and the gender dimension as cross-cutting analytical perspectives for understanding educational, healthcare, and care contexts.

General Sociology
Croteau, D., & Hoynes, W. Sociologia generale. Teorie, metodi, concetti, 3rd edition, McGraw-Hill Education, New York. The examination covers Chapters 1; 2 (up to and including Section 2.2.7); 3 (up to and including Section 3.4.3); 4 (up to and including Section 4.4.3); 5 (up to and including Section 5.10.3); 6; 7; 8; 9; and 11. Chapters 10 and 12 are not included in the examination syllabus.
Lecture slides are intended as supplementary material and do not replace the required examination text.

Philosophy of Science
Canali, S. Conoscere la medicina: strumenti filosofici. Carocci, 2024. Students are required to study three chapters of their choice.
Lecture slides made available

The course aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and conceptual tools of the human sciences needed to understand the main social processes and the foundations of scientific knowledge in healthcare. In particular, the course seeks to develop students' ability to critically analyse social phenomena and contexts, understand the main forms of medical reasoning, recognize the role of cognitive biases, and reflect on the concepts of health, illness, and care in relation to the future professional practice of educators.

Fulfilment of the requirements for admission to the degree course.

The course consists of lectures characterized by continuous interaction with students, devoted to the presentation and discussion of the main concepts and theoretical approaches covered in the two modules. Teaching activities are complemented by the analysis and discussion of case studies, examples, and audiovisual materials, as well as by group work designed to apply the concepts acquired and to develop students' ability to critically analyse social, health, and educational phenomena.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage:
https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Assessment consists of a written examination for the General Sociology module and an oral examination for the Philosophy of Science module. The assessments are designed to evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and theoretical approaches covered in the course, as well as their ability to analyse them critically, use appropriate disciplinary terminology, and apply the knowledge acquired to the interpretation of phenomena and issues relevant to educational and healthcare contexts. Assessment is based on the accuracy and completeness of the content, the quality of argumentation, the ability to develop independent critical reflections, and the appropriate use of disciplinary language.

The course introduces students to the main contributions of the human sciences to the understanding of social, educational, and healthcare phenomena through the conceptual frameworks of sociology and the philosophy of science.
General Sociology module
Introduction to the main concepts and theoretical perspectives of sociology and to the relationship between social theory and social research. Social processes and social organization, differences and inequalities, socialization, institutions, and social control. The gender dimension as a cross-cutting perspective for the analysis of social phenomena and educational and care contexts.

Philosophy of Science module
Forms of medical reasoning and decision-making processes. Scientific evidence and the Evidence-Based Medicine paradigm. Health, illness, and care in contemporary philosophy of medicine. Causes, explanations, and error in medicine, with particular attention to cognitive biases, stereotypes, and the role of technologies.

Knowledge and Understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the main concepts and perspectives of sociology and the philosophy of science, the main processes and mechanisms that characterize social life, as well as the principal forms of medical reasoning, the foundations of Evidence-Based Medicine, and the contemporary debate on the concepts of health, illness, and care.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding
Students will be able to apply the main sociological concepts and the analytical tools of the philosophy of science to understand and interpret social, educational, and healthcare phenomena, critically analyse real-world cases, and recognize the role of scientific evidence and decision-making processes in professional practice.

Making Judgements
Students will be able to critically analyse social and healthcare phenomena by recognizing their complexity, evaluating the role of social, cultural, and institutional contexts, and identifying the main cognitive biases and potential distortions in reasoning and argumentation.

Communication Skills
Students will be able to use the terminology of sociology and the philosophy of science appropriately and to present and discuss clearly the main concepts and perspectives addressed during the course.

Learning Skills
Students will be able to use the knowledge acquired to independently deepen their understanding of social, educational, and healthcare phenomena and issues, and to develop a critical reflection on the processes through which knowledge is produced and decisions are made in professional practice.