27280 - Seminars (1) (G.B)

Learning outcomes

The philosophy Seminars propose general objectives, which are those specific teaching seminar: (1) to train the students to philosophical discussion urging participation in conferences and presentations of Italian and foreign scholars; (2) deepen the topics of the courses through participation in philosophical lectures by specialists also of other universities; (3) broaden their thematic and methodological horizons to complete offered teaching.

Course contents

The seminar Social Action, Power, and Authority serves as an introduction to the classics of sociological thought and aims to familiarize students with the main concepts, theoretical perspectives, and empirical tools necessary for sociologically observing and understanding social reality. The goal is to enable students to critically and consciously analyze the social, economic, and cultural contexts in which individuals live, with particular focus on socio-political dynamics.

The seminar will focus on the classics of sociological thought, particularly analyzing the differences between macro and micro approaches, with an emphasis on power, oppression, and forms of authority/dominance.

The first part will delve into micro approaches, with special attention to symbolic interactionism, theories of the self, and the construction and analysis of society as a result of interactions that use symbols to signify macro structures. The approaches of Émile Durkheim and Erving Goffman will be examined to analyze how even the most casual social interactions hold theoretical interest. The focus will highlight how everyday life takes place in the immediate presence of others, and how actions are, in a narrow sense, socially situated. Additionally, it will explore how the vulnerability of the order of interactions makes them susceptible to being called into question.

In the second part, a specific focus will be dedicated to a macro approach with strong elements of micro-analysis: Max Weber and the theory of bureaucracy, as an example of the method of ideal-type construction, understood in the broader Weberian conception of state power, organizations, and power-authority structures in modern societies. This introduction serves as a foundation for strengthening analytical tools to understand the dynamics of complex organizations, including transnational organizations and international institutions.

Organization of the seminar:

• First part of the seminar: Introduction to the main sociological theories and the classics of sociological thought.

• Second part of the seminar: In-depth study of Max Weber’s sociological thought, bureaucracy, and the study of complex organizations.

Readings/Bibliography

The complete and detailed bibliography will be provided before the start of the seminar.

 

Basic bibliography:

Randall Collins, Teorie sociologiche. Bologna: Il Mulino, 1992.

Max Weber, Scritti politici, traduzione di Alfonso Cariolato e Enrico Fongaro. Roma: Donzelli, 1998.

Teaching methods

The seminar includes a few introductory lectures and sessions dedicated to the analysis and discussion of readings in class. Depending on the number of participants, individual or group presentations will be organized.

A high level of interactivity is pursued, also using interactive technologies in class.

The seminar does not include a final exam: students will be encouraged to actively participate in class discussions.

Assessment methods

The seminar does not include a final exam: students will be required to actively participate in class discussions.

Students are expected to attend lessons in person and must attend at least 11 out of the 15 sessions. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.

Students are invited to enroll via Virtuale.

Only the following are exempt from the attendance requirement:

• Students who are abroad on an Erasmus program
• Students who work and can provide proof that their working hours make attendance impossible
• Students with a disability certificate
• Students with a medical certificate

Only for these categories of students, eligibility will be obtained by taking a short oral examination. More info beginning of seminar.

 

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

As per Unibo policy, classes are conducted in presence, with the support of computer, video beamer and digital whiteboard.

The teaching material consists of the syllabus, presentations prepared by the teacher and case studies. When not protected by copyright, the teaching material is made available to students through the teaching platform of the University of Bologna. Copyrighted texts in the syllabus are available at the FILCOM library and at other libraries of the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Loschi