Course teached as: B027110 - SOCIETA' E MUTAMENTO SOCIALE IN EUROPA Second Cycle Degree in SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL RESEARCH Curriculum SOCIETA' CONTEMPORANEA, MUTAMENTO E GLOBALIZZAZIONE
Teaching Language
English
Course Content
The course analyses some of the main transformations and changes characterising European societies, in a comparative perspective and in light of the processes of globalization and Europeanisation, with particular reference to sociology of emotions. Among the main topics discussed: institutional changes, social inequalities, social citizenship, solidarity, social cohesion, European identity, migration, and environmental issues.
Not attending students:
I Module. One of the following texts of your choice:
Leonardi L; Scalise G. Social Challenges for Europe, Addressing failures and perspectives of the European Project, Il Mulino.
Leonardi L. Traces of a European Renaissance? European society between conflicts of value and global challenges, Il Mulino.
Crouch C., Society and Social Change in 21st Century Europe".
Palgrave.
II Module. One of the following texts of your choice:
Isin, E. F., & Nielsen, G. M. (Eds.). (2008). Acts of citizenship. London: Macmillan.
Ahmed, S. (2004). The Cultural politics of emotion. Routledge: New York.
It is also required to integrate with one or two readings of your choice from the list on Moodle. Attending students: the texts made available and suggested on Moodle.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge: The course provides students with critical and analytical tools (theories, concepts, empirical research methodologies, data sources) to interpret the social dimension of the European integration process. It allows students to link social change to political and economic change. Normative and cultural assets characterizing the European societies of the 21st century will be analysed in light of the process of European integration.
In terms of skills, the course will: a) enable the students to conduct independent empirical research on the main social phenomena characterizing European societies; b) enable a critical approach to interpret European policies, with a specific focus on their social implications; c) enable the students to write short essays related to the sociology of Europe.
At a practical level, the students will develop: 1) written and oral communication skills; 2) time management; 3) teamwork skills. The acquired knowledge can be applied in public and private research institutions, in organizational and managerial roles of non-governmental organizations and companies in the European social field (e.g. in the field of migration, employment, education, etc.)
Prerequisites
Basic sociological knowledge and English language skills are required.
Teaching Methods
Lectures and interactive seminars held by Italian and international scholars and researchers. For some activities, the Moodle space will be used. In the second half of the course, the students will be engaged with an oral presentation on one of the topics illustrated and discussed in the course.
Further information
The course is included in the Jean Monnet Chair program:
"Social Dimension and European Integration". Many activities of the course are organized within the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence. of the University of Florence.
Type of Assessment
Attending students: attendance and active participation, including lectures, seminars and workshops, will constitute 30% of the total course mark. The oral presentation and the final report will constitute 70% of the total course mark.
Non-attending students: 2-hour written exam in English or in Italian on the topics covered in the reading list of the course. The exam will consist in a short essay to two open-ended questions (out of three) of your choice. In order to pass the examination, the students must demonstrate knowledge of relevant theories and concepts as well as their critical and analytical ability to address
Course program
The first part of the course introduces basic theories and concepts to analyse some of the main transformations of European societies, with reference to the processes of globalization and European integration, in a comparative perspective and in light of the most recent developments in the sociology of emotions. The aim is showing the sociological and political relevance of emotions and their role as agents of social change. Among the main topics discussed: the European social model, social solidarity, social inequalities, the quality of life, social citizenship, European identity, social inequalities, quality of life, European identity, institutional changes, migration, work, and environmental issues. Each theme will be addressed with reference to some of the most relevant sociological research, providing students with theoretical and methodological tools to interpret data.
The second part of the course will involve in-depth analyses of the above mentioned topics through interactive seminar activities and on the basis of independent research and critical interpretation of the relevant literature.