Course program
Module I: The Origins of Sociology
What is Sociology?
A Brief History of Sociological Theory
Seven Sociological Traditions and Perspectives
Module II: The Classics of Sociological Thought
The Origins of Sociological Thought in the 18th Century
Sociology and Positivism
The Classics of German Sociology
The Development of Positivism in France
The Origins of North American Sociology
The Rise and Decline of Functionalism
The Social System
Shared Values and Social Integration
The Evolution of Societies
Summary and Final Reflections
Conflict and Consensus
Cultural Relativism
Interest Groups and the Pursuit of Power
Historical Sociology
Summary and Final Reflections
Marx and Marxism
The Materialist Theory of History
Structure and Superstructure
Class and Capitalism
Summary and Final Reflections
Module III: Exchange Theory
The Origins of Exchange Theory
The Legacy of Behaviorist Psychology
Social Exchange and Rational Choice
The Prisoner’s Dilemma
Summary and Final Reflections
Module IV: The Chicago School
Toward a Sociology of Action
The Polish Peasant Study and the Birth of Qualitative Methods
The City and Human Ecology
Fieldwork and Case Studies
Women Sociologists in Chicago
The Second Chicago School: An Excursus
Module V: Interactionism
Interactionist Theory
The Pragmatist Theory of Knowledge
The Self in Social Interaction
Labeling Theory
Summary and Final Reflections
Module VI: Ethnomethodology
The Social Construction of Reality
Making Sense of the World
Conversational Analysis and Accounts
Summary and Final Reflections
Module VII: Structuralism
From Structuralism to Post-Structuralism and Beyond
Signifier and Signified
The Construction of Social Order
Decentering the Subject
Summary and Final Reflections
Module VIII: Contemporary Sociologies – New Theories and Perspectives
Modernity vs. Postmodernity
Ambivalence and Liquidity in Modernity
Practice Theory and Epistemic Reflexivity
Structuration Theory and Radical Modernity
Reflexive Modernity and Risk Society
Global Cities and New Forms of Exclusion/Expulsion
Conclusion: The Present and Future of Sociological Theory
Recent Developments in Sociological Theory
Structure and Agency
Modernity and Postmodernity
Globalization and the Nation-State
Prerequisites
No specific preliminary knowledge is required
Books
Required readings for the exam:
1) DARREN O'BYRNE, "Sociologia. Lineamenti di Storia del pensiero sociologico" (TERZA EDIZIONE) a cura di Anna Maria Paola Toti, Pearson, 2022.
2) two books chosen from the following:
• MAX WEBER, "La scienza come professione. La politica come professione", Einaudi 2004;
• MAX WEBER, "Il pianoforte e l'Occidente", Armando Editore 2024;
• ALFRED SCHUTZ, "Don Chisciotte e il problema della realtà", Armando, Roma 2008;
• HARTMUT ROSA, "Accelerazione e alienazione. Per una teoria critica del tempo nella tarda modernità", Einaudi 2015.
Frequency
Lessons take place in presence
Exam mode
Oral exam
Ongoing evaluation
The evaluation of knowledge and skills is carried out through different stages:
An ongoing assessment of the skills acquired
An oral exam covering the parts of the syllabus not included in the ongoing assessments
Lesson mode
The course will be delivered through lectures in which the main topics of the syllabus will be presented, critically analyzed, and discussed. The lectures aim to facilitate a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts of the discipline, with particular focus on the contributions of key authors and the various theoretical approaches.
In addition to lectures, the course includes complementary educational activities such as the guided viewing and analysis of documentary and film materials, the reading and discussion of both classical and contemporary sociological texts, and collective discussions on key themes covered in the syllabus.
These activities are designed to encourage active participation, peer-to-peer engagement, and the development of critical thinking skills, in line with the educational objectives of the course.
