85049 - Sociology and Methodology of Social Research (1) (A-F)

Learning outcomes

The student will learn the basic tools of the sociological discipline, with special reference to theoretical models, concepts and research methods. At the end of the course the student should be able to make use of her sociological imagination applying it to major issues in our contemporary social life.

Course contents

The student is introduced to the sociological imagination i.e. that special perspective through which sociologists look at and try to make sense of the world. After presenting the main episodes in the history of the discipline, a series of concepts and theories will be introduced - concepts as social action, practice, social interaction, social networks, social structure, power, culture and organization - focusing then on a few big thematic concerns of sociology as social inequalities, sex and gender differences, religion, deviance, economic life, migration and racism. Some lessions will be devoted to the illustration of the main epistemological and methodological issues in doing social research.

Readings/Bibliography

J Manza et al, The Sociological Project 2.0, New York, Pearson 2015.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

Written exam (four 'open' question about concepts, theories and methods, aimed also to assess thes student's ability in applying the sociological imagination)

Teaching tools

Slides and web platform

Office hours

See the website of Marco Santoro