The course aims to provide the main theoretical and methodological tools required to critically analyze the interaction between economic and social phenomena within complex societies. At the end of the course, the students will acquire the skills needed in order to: analyze, using appropriate theories and concepts, the main contemporary socio-economic dynamics; read, from a sociological perspective, the historical transformations of capitalism, labor, and the welfare state; act autonomously in the fields of study and work related to communication, being able to grasp the social and economic implications of the communication processes in which they operate.
Basic knowledge in History and Sociology.
The course will be delivered mainly through lectures and will make use of practices of interaction and direct exchange with the students, who will be invited to participate during classes, put forward proposals for further study, and take part in discussions and debates. Attending students may also be asked to present and comment on short readings aimed at exploring the issues covered in the course or other related topics they may be interested in.
The final exam consists of a written test to be completed within ninety minutes. It includes 8 multiple-choice questions (1 point each) and 3 open-ended questions (8 points each). A minimum of 18 points is required to pass the exam. The maximum achievable score is 32, to allow room for obtaining "cum laude". The purpose of the exam is to assess the student’s knowledge, critical thinking, and argumentative skills. The evaluation criteria will take into account the following elements: relevance and completeness of the answers; command of concepts and accuracy in their use; critical abilities and richness of arguments; capacity for synthesis, clarity of expression, and appropriateness of language; correctness of syntax and grammar
The course is structured along two complementary parts. The first introduces the main theoretical and methodological approaches in economic sociology. After outlining the field of economic sociology, it examines the discipline’s contribution to the study of contemporary capitalism, focusing on topics such as modernization and development, the rise and decline of the Keynesian welfare state, Fordism and post-Fordism, and the role of institutions and social capital in the economy. The second part explores the diversity of capitalist models in Europe, with particular emphasis on the origins, crisis, and evolution of European welfare states, as well as the challenges they face today.
Course-related notifications will be provided in the dedicated section of the lecturer's personal page. In the e-learning area it will be possible to consult some of the teaching resources used. The program is the same for attending and non-attending students.
