World Society

A.Y. 2022/2023
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
SPS/07
Language
English
Learning objectives
The course aims at enabling students to analyse in a critical way and explain the salient features of globalization processes and of the world's growing interconnectedness and global networks of power, exchange and culture. In so doing, students will be provided with the conceptual and empirical tools to understand the most relevant changes, and their drivers, affecting society all over the world, in the cultural, economic and political realms. Particular emphasis will be placed throughout the course on the analysis and discussion of the controversial issue of the increasing global convergence toward a "world society".
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will understand the main features of globalization processes and of the world's growing interconnectedness and global networks of power, exchange and culture. They will also acquire the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of the processes of global interconnectedness to specific cases. In particular, students will have developed a number of soft skills, in terms of making judgements, communication and lifelong learning abilities. These skills will be acquired through active participation in classroom discussion, and the preparation and public presentation of a research paper.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
Non-attending students will prepare the exam on the following texts:

1) George Ritzer and Paul Dean, Globalization: A Basic Text, 3rd Edition, Wiley Blackwell, 2021.
2) Frank J. Lechner, Globalization: The Making of World Society, John Wiley & Sons, 2009.

The exam takes place in written form and consists of open-ended questions, definitions and multiple-choice questions.

To communicate with the teacher, please use the mailbox .
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Attending students will be engaged in an active way in the learning experience, through weekly readings and in-class discussion. In addition, they will have to write a research paper of 5.000/6.000 words based on empirical research.
Teaching Resources
Encyclopedia of globalization / editors-in-chief, Roland Robertson, Jan Aart Scholte, Routledge, 2007.

The Wiley-Blackwell encyclopedia of globalization / edited by George Ritzer, Wiley-Blackwell, 2012

The Blackwell companion to globalization / edited by George Ritzer, Blackwell, 2007

The Oxford handbook of global studies / edited by Mark Juergensmeyer, Saskia Sassen, Manfred Steger, and Victor Faessel. - New York : Oxford University Press, 2018

Routledge handbook of global citizenship studies / edited by Engin F. Isin and Peter Nyers. - London and New York : Routledge, 2014.
Assessment methods and Criteria
ATTENDING STUDENTS will be engaged in an active way in the learning experience, through weekly readings and in-class discussion.

There will be an intermediate exam on the introductory part of the course. In addition, they will have to write a research paper.

Exam for ATTENDING STUDENTS:

COURSE GRADE (weighted average):

Intermediate written examination: 30%
Research paper: 60%
Active participation/presentation: 10%

For NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS, the exam takes place in written form and consists of open-ended questions, definitions and multiple-choice questions about the texts lited below.
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor: Maraffi Marco
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
via Passione Building, Third Floor, Room 301