General Sociology – A a.y. 2025-2026 – Scienze dell'Educazione e della Formazione (EDU)

Teacher: Prof.ssa Beba Molinari
E-mail: beba.molinari@uniroma2.it

CFU: 6
Course code: 8047843
Bachelor Degrees: Scienze della comunicazione H 48
Language: Italian

Course delivery modalities: in-presence
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Write test

Pre-requisites:
No previus knowledge of the subject is required

Program:
The program is divided into two large macro areas of in-depth study: authors with their respective theories and basic concepts of the methodology of social research. Authors: the beginnings of Sociology; Karl Marx and the relations of production; Émile Durkheim and the problem of social order; Max Weber and social action; Georg Simmel and the forms of interaction; Vilfredo Pareto and the bivalence of action; Charles Wright Mills and the elites of power; Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton and the needs of coexistence; Luigi Sturzo and the science of concrete society; Erving Goffman and the order of interaction; Jürgen Habermas and the vital world; Harold Garfinkel and the immortal ordinary society; Achille Ardigò between vital worlds and the social system; Ralf Gustav Dahrendorf and the change of social classes; Raymond Boudon and the individual; Pierre Bourdieu and social practices; Anthony Giddens and the analysis of radical modernity; Ulrich Beck and global society; Richard Sennett and the consequences of flexibility. Methodology of social research: epistemological orientation of empirical research; types and techniques of social research; qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Program:

The program is divided into two large macro areas of in-depth study: authors with their respective theories and basic concepts of the methodology of social research.
Authors:
the beginnings of Sociology; Karl Marx and the relations of production; Émile Durkheim and the problem of social order; Max Weber and social action; Georg Simmel and the forms of interaction; Vilfredo Pareto and the bivalence of action; Charles Wright Mills and the elites of power; Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton and the needs of coexistence; Luigi Sturzo and the science of concrete society; Erving Goffman and the order of interaction; Jürgen Habermas and the vital world; Harold Garfinkel and the immortal ordinary society; Achille Ardigò between vital worlds and the social system; Ralf Gustav Dahrendorf and the change of social classes; Raymond Boudon and the individual; Pierre Bourdieu and social practices; Anthony Giddens and the analysis of radical modernity; Ulrich Beck and global society; Richard Sennett and the consequences of flexibility.
Methodology of social research: epistemological orientation of empirical research; types and techniques of social research; qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Text books:
Bichi R. (2022), Sociologia Generale, Vita e Pensiero, Milano. Marradi A. (2007), Metodologia delle scienze sociali, Il Mulino, Bologna. For further nformation it is advisable to consults: Bagnasco, A., Barbagli, M., Cavalli, A., Corso di Sociologia, Il Mulino, Bologna

Bibliography:
Rita Bichi (2022) Sociologia Generale, Vita e Pensiero, Milano. Marradi A. (2007) Metodologia delle scienze sociali, Il Mulino, Bologna. For further nformation it is advisable to consults: Bagnasco, A., Barbagli, M., Cavalli, A., Corso di Sociologia, Il Mulino, Bologna

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES:The course introduces the conceptual categories of Sociology, defining their boundaries and connections with other disciplines through the study of the main theories and the bases of empirical research. KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The course aims to provide knowledge and skills regarding: basic sociological terms and concepts; identify the sociological concepts most suitable for interpreting specific social phenomena and problems; develop methodologically correct considerations on the surrounding reality and contemporary society; argue consciously and autonomously using sociological concepts and making appropriate references. MAKING JUDGEMENTS: improve the ability to interpret social phenomena in full autonomy with a critical sense. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: stimulate communication skills through the correct use of sociological language. LEARNING SKILLS: The course aims to develop the interpretative capacity of social reality through an empirical method appropriate to the phenomenon of interest.

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:The course introduces the conceptual categories of Sociology, defining their boundaries and connections with other disciplines through the study of the main theories and the bases of empirical research.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: The course aims to provide knowledge and skills regarding:
basic sociological terms and concepts;
identify the sociological concepts most suitable for interpreting specific social phenomena and problems;
develop methodologically correct considerations on the surrounding reality and contemporary society;
argue consciously and autonomously using sociological concepts and making appropriate references.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: improve the ability to interpret social phenomena in full autonomy with a critical sense.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: stimulate communication skills through the correct use of sociological language.
LEARNING SKILLS: The course aims to develop the interpretative capacity of social reality through an empirical method appropriate to the phenomenon of interest.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The exam is written and structured so that it has 25 closed-ended questions and three open-ended questions. Each correct closed-ended question is worth one point, there are no penalties for incorrect answers. The three open-ended questions are worth 3 points each. The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills). The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking. The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria: – Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language. – 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language. – 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical. – 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical. – 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language. – 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The exam is written and structured so that it has 25 closed-ended questions and three open-ended questions. Each correct closed-ended question is worth one point, there are no penalties for incorrect answers. The three open-ended questions are worth 3 points each.
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills).
The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
– 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Attendance modalities:
Classroom lessons. Attendance is not compulsory, but recommended. Non-attending students must contact me: Beba.Molinari@uniroma2.it Student reception by appointment