02504 - History of Sociological Thought

Learning outcomes

The educational objectives of the course of History of sociological thought concern knowledge of classical and contemporary authors, of the great schools of social thought, considering both the theoretical frameworks and the empirical results of these authors and approaches. These skills are complementary to the general theory courses and the specialized teaching and application in the field of sociology.

Course contents

The course presents the main approaches and interpretations configured in the course of evolution of sociology. Even if going through the studies of the main thinkers and the most important schools of thought, the course does not privilege a strictly chronological exposition of them. Rather, through the analysis of different approaches we will be taken up themes and issues that recur in the course of evolution of sociological thought, in order to provide the multiple interpretations of the contemporary reality offered by the sociological analysis.
The course is organized by the following teachers: Asher Colombo, Vando Borghi (responsible for teaching the course), Angelo Panebianco

Readings/Bibliography

1. 1

The preparation for the exam, supplemented by the attending students with the knowledge acquired during the lectures, will be held on the following texts:

The preparation for the exam, supplemented by the attending students with the knowledge acquired during the lectures, will be held on the following texts:

Attending students:

1. Alessandro Pizzorno, Il pensiero sociologico, in Storia delle idee politiche, economiche, sociali, Torino, Utet, 1973, pp. 609-664 (this text will be made available on the website of the materials accessible online).
2. Lewis A. Coser, I classici del pensiero sociologico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006
3. Further texts that will be made available on the website of the materials accessible online

During the lectures it will be suggested which parts of the books should have to be more carefully addressed.

Not attending students:

1. Alessandro Pizzorno, Il pensiero sociologico, in Storia delle idee politiche, economiche, sociali, Torino, Utet, 1973, pp. 609-664 (this text will be made available on the website of the materials accessible online).
2. Lewis A. Coser, I classici del pensiero sociologico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006
3. G. Poggi, G. Sciortino, Incontri con il pensiero sociologico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008
4. R. A. Wallace, A. Wolf, La teoria sociologica contemporanea, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008

Teaching methods

Conventional lectures and open collective discussion.

Assessment methods

Written exam, both for attending and not attending students.

Attending students will have to pass a written examination, to be held at the end of the course, for being admitted admission to the final one.

Office hours

See the website of Vando Borghi

See the website of Asher Daniel Colombo

See the website of Angelo Panebianco