Sociology

The Quality Assurance (QA) System at Sapienza University is extensively described on the Quality Team’s official web pages, accessible at:
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/team-qualita
The web pages provide a comprehensive overview of the decade-long process undertaken by the University to establish the Sapienza Quality Assurance framework. They illustrate the organizational model adopted, the main actors involved in QA (the Quality Team, Monitoring Committees, Joint Student-Faculty Committees, and the Quality Committees of individual Study Programs), the active working groups, the principal activities carried out, and the documentation prepared for managing QA processes and procedures across Teaching, Research, and Third Mission initiatives.
The website also serves as a communication platform and a reference point for data collection related to self-assessment processes, the drafting of reports by the Joint Committees and Monitoring Committees, and the compilation of the SUA-CdS (Unified Annual Form for Teaching) and SUA-RD (Unified Annual Form for Research).
Each Study Program and Department is encouraged to adapt the overarching Sapienza QA model—outlined by the Quality Team—according to their specific organizational needs, while still adhering to the models and procedures established by ANVUR (Italian National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes) and the University’s Quality Team.
The webpages of individual Study Programs and Departments, together with the SUA-CdS and SUA-RD, constitute the official tools used to communicate how QA processes are implemented at the programmatic and departmental levels.
The Quality Team for the teaching area in Sociology and Applied Social Research is composed of the following members:

• Assunta Viteritti (President of the Study Program)
• Daniela Marella (Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation System - SMA)
• Marina Ciampi (Vice-President of the Study Program)
• Nadia Girolami (Technical-Administrative Staff with responsibility for educational coordination)
• Francesco Tuzi (Student Representative)

The team, also involving other faculty members as needed, is responsible for the preparation of monitoring and review reports and the implementation of related corrective actions.
Meetings are scheduled based on current needs and key periods of the academic calendar (e.g., end of the first semester) and are aligned with the timeline of institutional obligations defined by the University’s Central Quality Team.
Ongoing QA activities currently include:

1. Monitoring of CFU (university credit) acquisition during the first year of the Study Program
2. Monitoring of inactive students
3. Monitoring of students beyond the expected graduation time ("fuori corso")
4. Monitoring of student dropout rates

On July 9th, 2008, the Faculty of Sociology held a meeting with representatives from various organizations—including ISFOL, SIQUAS, AISP, third-sector social cooperatives, CERFE, OAS, SISS, SOIS, AIDP, and CENSIS—with the aim of presenting and discussing the proposed reforms to the Faculty’s academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Following a presentation of the criteria that guided the restructuring of the Faculty's educational offerings, the meeting concluded with broad appreciation from the invited stakeholders. In particular, they expressed support for the Faculty of Sociology’s efforts to simplify the overall academic framework, as well as for the improved clarity and definition of each individual program and its specific learning objectives.
During the final stage of the University-wide consultation, held on January 19th, 2009—and in light of the results from the preceding online consultation—the participating organizations evaluated positively the rationalization of Sapienza University’s academic offerings. This reorganization aimed not only at reducing the number of degree programs, but also at enhancing differentiation among programs, especially within academic fields that demonstrate high student demand and are well-staffed by faculty. Furthermore, after a detailed review of the proposed academic programs by the Faculties, the organizations gave favorable opinions regarding the establishment of the individual degree programs.

The consultation took place on November 8th, 2024, in the Sala Rossa, Via Salaria 113.
It was organized by the Presidency of the Degree Program, with the collaboration of faculty members affiliated with the program. A direct consultation was conducted with the following institutions:

• National Institute for the Analysis of Public Policies
• Format Research Srl
• FPA – ForumPA
• Giacomo Brodolini Foundation
• CTS Clas
• National Forum of the Third Sector
• Eures
• Rome Technopole Foundation
• BCC Roma
• Legacoop Nazionale

During the meeting, an agreement was reached to hold regular follow-up meetings with the aim of jointly working on the professional opportunities available to Sociology graduates.
The discussion revealed a general sense of satisfaction and substantial appreciation for the objectives and academic offerings of both degree programs. A number of constructive suggestions were put forward to enhance the curriculum, responding not only to the needs of a rapidly evolving labor market but also to the demand for deeper understanding of contemporary social complexity.
With specific regard to the Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, the stakeholders recommended the following:

• Strengthen foundational analytical skills, incorporating elements of impact evaluation and introducing key concepts in policy analysis. This would allow students to engage with complex issues early in their academic journey and better prepare for graduate-level studies.
• Integrate digital competencies, such as artificial intelligence and data analysis—tools that are increasingly vital for interpreting complex social phenomena.
• Promote stronger links with local micro and small enterprises, equipping graduates with skills applicable to specific territorial dynamics, particularly through internships and traineeships.
• Broaden the definition of graduate professional profiles, emphasizing the role of Sociology graduates as facilitators of social change.

Overall, the degree program was evaluated positively. Stakeholders expressed the need to train sociologists with a critical mindset—capable of acting as agents of change who can interpret and manage the complexities of contemporary society.