Globalization and Social Divisions
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course analyzes the issues of social diversity and inequality from a global perspective. It will illustrate how the main social divisions (such as gender and sexual orientation, age, race and ethnicity, and class) are (re)produced through social institutions (the educational system, the labor market, religion, and the media) that increasingly extend beyond and across the borders of the nation-state. The course combines a theoretical approach to the analysis of these processes with an examination of empirical studies and academic debates that, from various angles and perspectives, illustrate the multiple research agendas that this sociological perspective can open.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will have acquired a thorough understanding of the processes that contribute to structuring the main social divisions in contemporary societies, with particular emphasis on the effects of economic, political, and cultural aspects of globalization. They will be capable of autonomously and creatively applying the knowledge gained, becoming familiar with the main scientific journals where articles contributing to specific academic debates relevant to the course (or future independent research) are published. They will improve their ability to navigate international scientific production by familiarizing themselves with research tools such as Google Scholar. Additionally, they will have opportunities to test their oral communication skills and teamwork through specific practice exercises, as well as their ability to write a literature review.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
In the course, we will clarify the sociological meaning of diversity and social inequality, at the light of the main institutional contexts in which social divisions emerge and are reproduced or transformed. We will examine which social diversities—particularly gender and sexual orientation, age, race and ethnicity, and disability—generate specific forms of inequality.
Furthermore, we will understand how the education system, labor market and organizations, family, political system and social movements, welfare state, as well as the media and new technologies contribute to legitimizing and reproducing, countering and modifying, managing and governing these inequalities. Special attention will be given to understanding the local implications of globalization processes on the genesis and transformation of social divisions, drawing from different scientific debates that illustrate the multiple and potential research agendas this perspective can inform.
Furthermore, we will understand how the education system, labor market and organizations, family, political system and social movements, welfare state, as well as the media and new technologies contribute to legitimizing and reproducing, countering and modifying, managing and governing these inequalities. Special attention will be given to understanding the local implications of globalization processes on the genesis and transformation of social divisions, drawing from different scientific debates that illustrate the multiple and potential research agendas this perspective can inform.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisite: For students in GLO, "Society and Social Change" is a prerequisite for "Globalization and Social Divisions"
The course is taught in English, so a good familiarity with the language is necessary.
The course is taught in English, so a good familiarity with the language is necessary.
Teaching methods
The course includes both traditional lectures supported by slides and classroom discussions that encourage active participation from students. Participants will be required to creatively apply the concepts and perspectives learned from textbooks to social phenomena described in news articles, in-depth essays, and quantitative and qualitative data provided by the instructor.
Specifically, the course aims to acquaint students with the international scientific debate on the topics of interest. Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.
Specifically, the course aims to acquaint students with the international scientific debate on the topics of interest. Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Readings provided by the instructor on MyAriel.
Assessment methods and Criteria
For non-attending students, assessment is conducted through an oral examination.
Attending students are evaluated through active participation in various exercises (both individual and group) conducted throughout the course. Particularly, attending students will be guided and supervised in an independent research path aimed at developing skills necessary for writing a thesis on the topics covered. This includes identifying a sociologically investigable topic, sourcing appropriate scholarly materials, and writing with proper citation standards.
Assessment criteria include: understanding of the content presented by the instructor, competence in using specialized terminology, and the quality and clarity of presentation. The ability to exercise independent judgment is evaluated based on students' critical analysis of material provided by the instructor and their ability to autonomously find suitable resources.
Attending students are evaluated through active participation in various exercises (both individual and group) conducted throughout the course. Particularly, attending students will be guided and supervised in an independent research path aimed at developing skills necessary for writing a thesis on the topics covered. This includes identifying a sociologically investigable topic, sourcing appropriate scholarly materials, and writing with proper citation standards.
Assessment criteria include: understanding of the content presented by the instructor, competence in using specialized terminology, and the quality and clarity of presentation. The ability to exercise independent judgment is evaluated based on students' critical analysis of material provided by the instructor and their ability to autonomously find suitable resources.
Professor(s)