Ateneo - UPO

History of sociological thought; fundamental sociological theories and concepts; social interaction, socialisation, family and gender, identity, stratification and inequalities

For attending students:1) P. Jedlowski, Il mondo in questione, Carocci, 2009 (reprint 2025)2) a book to choose from: C. Bertone, Il familiare è politico, Meltemi, 2023 (chapter 4 not included)O. Giancola, L. Salmieri (Eds), Sociologia delle disuguaglianze, Carocci, 2020 (chapters 1, 2 and 3 not included)For non-attending students:1) P. Jedlowski, Il mondo in questione, Carocci, 2009 (reprint 2025)2) C. Bertone, Il familiare è politico, Meltemi, 2023 (chapter 4 not included)3) O. Giancola, L. Salmieri (Eds), Sociologia delle disuguaglianze, Carocci, 2020 (chapter 3 not included)

Additional materials for further study (open-access journal articles and book chapters), which are not compulsory for the examination, will be uploaded to the module DIR page.

The module introduces students to the main concepts, problems and theoretical perspectives of sociology. By reconstructing the historical development of sociological thought, it provides the tools needed to understand the distinctive character of the sociological perspective and to distinguish the scientific analysis of social phenomena from common-sense interpretations.
Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which the discipline’s principal authors and theoretical traditions have interpreted modernity, social order and conflict, forms of interaction, processes of socialisation and identity construction, inequalities and power relations. By the end of the course, students should be able to use fundamental sociological concepts to analyse phenomena and experiences of contemporary social life critically, relate different theoretical approaches to one another, and present the knowledge acquired clearly and coherently.

Logical, linguistic and historical skills acquired during upper-secondary education.

Lectures, reading and discussion of texts, and classroom discussions.

Students are advised to enrol on the module DIR page. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) or Special Educational Needs (SEN) may request dedicated services and specific support tools by contacting the Student Careers Development and Coordination and Student Services Office and consulting the relevant University webpage: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentidisabili-e-dsa. After contacting the University Office, students with disabilities, SLDs or SEN may contact the course lecturer to discuss the implementation of examination arrangements in relation to teaching and assessment requirements.

The final assessment consists of an oral examination lasting approximately 20–30 minutes, designed to assess the knowledge specified in the learning objectives and expected learning outcomes. Marks are awarded on a scale of 30 and the assessment will take account of the following aspects: 1) knowledge and understanding of the main topics covered, up to 18 points; 2) the ability to present the acquired knowledge clearly and correctly, using appropriate terminology, up to 6 points; 3) the ability to establish connections between topics and develop critical and independent reflection, up to 6 points.
To pass the examination, students must demonstrate at least a satisfactory knowledge of the main module topics.

The module provides an introduction to sociology through the study of the discipline’s principal authors, theoretical traditions and fundamental concepts. The first part examines the emergence of sociological thought in the context of the transformations of modern society, with particular reference to positivism and the works of Saint-Simon, Comte and Spencer. It then explores the contributions of the major classical authors: Marx, focusing on relations of production, social classes and conflict; Durkheim, with the concepts of social fact, solidarity and integration; Simmel, with the study of forms of interaction and the experience of modernity; and Weber, with interpretive sociology, the theory of social action and the analysis of processes of rationalisation.
The following part presents some of the principal developments in twentieth-century sociology: the Chicago School and Mead’s interactionism; the critical theory of the Frankfurt School; structural functionalism; and sociological approaches to everyday life. The contributions of Giddens and Bourdieu and the perspective of Cultural Studies will also be introduced, with attention to the relationship between social structure, action, cultural practices and power.
The final part of the course focuses on several central areas of sociological analysis: elementary forms of social interaction; processes of socialisation and identity construction; social stratification and the production of inequalities. A seminar session will examine the social and political character of family relationships, showing how family, intimacy and private life are shaped by norms, differences, inequalities and power relations.
During the course, the presentation of theoretical content will be accompanied by the reading and discussion of texts and by examples designed to connect sociological perspectives with phenomena in contemporary society.

By the end of the course, students should have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge and understanding: students will know the main authors, theoretical perspectives and concepts of sociology and understand their historical development and relevance to the analysis of modern and contemporary society. They will be able to distinguish sociological knowledge from common-sense interpretations and recognise the distinctive character of the sociological perspective on social phenomena.

Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to use the principal concepts and theoretical approaches of sociology to interpret phenomena, processes and experiences of social life, with particular reference to forms of interaction, processes of socialisation and identity construction, social stratification, inequalities and power relations.

Making judgements: students will be able to compare different theoretical perspectives critically, identifying their assumptions, strengths and limitations. They will be able to develop independent and well-reasoned interpretations of social phenomena, relating the course content to issues and transformations in contemporary society.

Communication skills: students will be able to present the knowledge acquired clearly, accurately and coherently, using the fundamental terminology of the discipline appropriately. They will be able to reconstruct the thought of different authors and explain connections between concepts, theories and social phenomena.

Learning skills: students will have developed the skills needed to explore sociological topics and problems independently through the reading and comprehension of academic texts and the informed use of the concepts learned. They will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the study of new phenomena and social contexts.

These learning outcomes are consistent with those specified in the SUA (Annual Programme Report) of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Philosophy and Communication.