History, Anthropology, Religions

The course aims to examine the foundations of sociology as a distinctive form of scientific knowledge in its relations with neighboring disciplines such as history and anthropology. This problematic node will be addressed through an in-depth analysis of the contribution made to social theory by Pierre Bourdieu, one of the most influential sociologists of the 20th century. The course will first analyze the main epistemological controversies in the social sciences by reflecting, in particular, on the status of disciplinary frontiers between sociology, history and anthropology (what are the demarcation criteria between these disciplines? are these frontiers “social” or “epistemological”? how do they transform over time?). It will then continue with an introduction to the main theoretical instruments of Bourdieusian social theory (ex. habitus, field, capital, illusio, doxa, etc.) and an analysis of how the latter were forged by the author through an intense dialogue with the anthropological and historical traditions. Finally, the critical scope of the reflexive program in sociology proposed by Bourdieu as an essential tool for “the objectification of the subject of objectification” will be explored.

No prerequisites are required for this class.

Bourdieu, Chamboredon e Passeron, Il mestiere del sociologo, Guaraldi, 1976 (solo delle parti da selezionare) Bourdieu, Meditazioni Pascaliane, Mimesis, 2024 (solo delle parti da selezionare) Bourdieu, Il mestiere di scienziato, Feltrinelli, 2003 (solo delle parti da selezionare) Bourdieu, Sulla riflessività, Meltemi, 2024 (solo delle parti da selezionare) Per i non frequentanti Santoro, Bourdieu in pratica. Guida all’uso di una teoria sociologica, Il mulino, 2025 Ienna, Genesi e sviluppo dell’épistémologie historique, PensaMultimedia (disponibile in open access) – limitatamente ad alcune sezioni

Students are particularly encouraged to attend classes.

standard oral exams on required readings indicated elsewhere. For those of you attending this course, you will be given the opportunity to replace the oral exam with the presentation of a paper

Traditional classes