67711 - Sociology of Asiatic Countries

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students acquire the general outline of the main social transformations taking place in countries of different regional areas of Asia.

Course contents

The course focuses on the main social, political and cultural transformations in China, Japan and South Korea. It is divided into two parts.

The first part offers an introduction to the sociological discipline, highlighting its prominent scholars and founding theories. The main analytical and methodological tools of the social sciences will also be presented. This first part aims to offer the tools to understand and analyse the social contexts related to the Asian regions. It also offers the key of interpretation for a critical approach to the key concepts of orientalism and auto-orientalism.

The second part deals with the examination of the Asian social contexts of reference: China, Japan and South Korea. In particular, emphasis will be given to:
- Agents of socialization: family, peers, school
- The question of gender
- The labour market
- Migrations, ethnic groups and identity
- Social classes and stratifications

Readings/Bibliography

PART 1
Required materials:

The first part of the course on the introduction to sociology focuses on ppt materials (slides) used in class and made available on Virtuale.

Optional texts:

Students wishing to delve more in detail in topics discussed in class can refer to:

• Giddens, Anthony. 2021, Sociology, 9th edition. Cambridge; Malden: Polity Press.

PART 2
Required texts:

The second part of the course focuses on the following texts:

• Japan: Sugimoto, Yoshio. 2021. An Introduction to Japanese Society, 5th edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University press. (Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6).
• China: Jacka, Tamara et al.. 2013. Contemporary China: Society and Social Change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Chapters 1, 3, 7).

• SouthKorea: Hee-Yeon Cho et al.. 2013. Contemporary South Korean Society: A critical perspective. New York: Routledge. (Chapters 2, 5, 13).

Optional materials/texts:

Any manuals, bibliographies, multimedia material or change to the course content will be communicated in class.

Teaching methods

Lectures held by the professor of the course, Power Point presentations and multimedia materials. The active participation of students in class discussions is strongly encouraged.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of a written exam. The exam can be conducted in Italian or English (communicate in advance if you wish to take the test in English).

Further details will be communicated at the first class of the course (February 11, 2025). 

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Dugar