General sociology

Daniela Bagattini, PhD in methodology of social research, deals with policies against gender-based violence. She edited the surveys that led to the drafting of the Reports on gender violence in Tuscany since 2009 and she is author of several publications on the topic of gender violence and policies to combat it, carrying out field research and data analysis. She collaborates with INDIRE, dealing with issues related to the use of innovative teaching methods, also with a view to overcoming gender stereotypes, as well as monitoring and studying the activities of schools with regard to gender education.

DEFINITION OF CONTENTS

The course will be divided into 2 modules.

• Module 1 – Key concepts of sociology

In the first part, the key concepts and main interpretative categories as well as the principles of sociological thinking will be introduced to provide students with the tools to analyse social phenomena independently.

• Module 2 – Gender inequalities

In the second part, concepts and interpretative categories analysed in the first module will be used to specifically explore the issue of gender inequalities and their relationship to the labour market through an analysis of the social construction of gender.

The aim of the course is to offer an introduction to sociology. In its first part it presents the main theoretical and methodological sociological issues.

In the second part it provides a critical reflection on gender inequalities and social construction of gender.

To know the main sociological concepts, in order to be able to orientate and analyse the main contemporary phenomena through the use of the sociological categories and concepts learnt during the course. To understand the social constructions that revolve around gender inequalities.

A. Knowledge and understanding
Understanding of the main contemporary social phenomena and critical analysis of them.

B. Applied knowledge and understanding
To use the concepts learned during the course to have the ability to analyse the different contexts in which students will be working.

C. Autonomy of judgement
To be able to critically observe social discourses and know how to deconstruct them.

D. Communication skills
Mastering the main terms and concepts of the subject in order to be able to use them in different contexts.

E. Learning capacity
To use the concepts learnt as a basis for further

A. Use of advanced textbooks, knowledge of some cutting-edge topics within the subject studied.

B. A professional approach to work and possession of appropriate skills to devise arguments, support them and solve problems within the subject studied. Ability to collect and interpret data useful for making independent judgements.

C. Ability to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialists and non-specialists.

D. Ability to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.

DIDACTICS PROVISION

• 6 hours of recorded video lessons available on the platform;
• 2 synchronous meetings on the platform;
• Podcasts of all the above-mentioned video lessons.

INTERACTIVE DIDACTICS

• 1 course orientation forum;
• 2 thematic follow-up forums (1 per module);
• Possibility to carry out work in groups.
• 2 structured e-activities (as described in the section “in itinere assessment methods”).

SELF-LEARNING

Teaching materials are provided for each module: in-depth thematic studies, articles and slides by the lecturer, open access readings, online resources, reference bibliography, etc.

• David Croteau, William Hoynes, General Sociology. Temi, concetti, strumenti, Milan, McGraw-Hill, 2018
• Del Re A., Perini L. (ed.) (2014) Gender Politics in Italia e in Europa. Percorsi di studi di genere per le lauree triennali e magistrali, Centro interdipartimentale di ricerca studi di genere, PADOVA UNIVERSITY PRESS, in particular the Introduction

http://www.padovauniversitypress.it/system/files/attachments_field/9788869380235_0.pdf

Access to the final examination is subject to the completion of 2 e-activities, the details of which will be communicated during the course.

The assessment of learning will take the form of an oral interview on the course contents and on the final report submitted, if any. The grade (min 18, max 30 with possible honours) is determined by the level of performance for each of the following dimensions of the oral interview: mastery of contents, appropriateness of definitions and theoretical references, clarity of argument, command of specialist language.

Italian