BERGAMO
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of the main topics of social psychology (see course contents).
They will also be able to connect theoretical content, tools, and methodologies to experiences drawn from everyday life.
They will understand and be able to critically discuss the main applied areas of social psychology, focusing on the cultural, affective, and cognitive processes involved in social action: individual, group, and collective.
The primary objective is to develop critical understanding of the "modes" of individual functioning in society.
The issues related to couple interaction and the peculiarities of the "natural" family group will be further explored. Social-psychological processes, both individual and group, will be analyzed, including those of classrooms, workgroups, and organizations.
To develop social skills, students must demonstrate mastery of:
issues related to managing group dynamics and interpersonal and intergroup conflicts,
an understanding of the influence of attitudes and prejudices,
the importance of intercultural relations in social life.
In the 2026-2027 academic year, crowd psychology and the emergence of charismatic leadership will be explored in depth.
Course Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
The purpose of lectures is to provide an appropriate framework for the theoretical and cognitive foundations of the discipline.
Classroom discussions on the main topics covered will facilitate educational exchange, engagement, and the strengthening of critical and reflective skills.
The exercises, conducted where possible with the presence of external experts, will aim to illustrate and evaluate concrete examples of social intervention design.
Assessment Methods
The exam for non-attending students will consist of twelve open-ended questions, one for each course credit.
Each answer will be evaluated according to the following criteria: one point (up to four) for each relevant piece of content presented clearly and adequately (total: 4 points); one point for the correctness of the technical, academic, and scientific language used in the answer.
For those attending the entire course, the evaluation will consist of a presentation of a topic agreed upon during the course.
Contents
Tools and methods of psychosocial knowledge.
The main themes of psychosocial inquiry: attitudes, relational processes, conformism, social representations, etc.
The peculiarities of social interaction: couples, groups, and collectives.
Prejudice, conflict, and reconciliation.
The course will analyse "exemplary" themes that have marked the development of social psychology. Finally, the main fields of application of social psychology will be examined and critically discussed.
This year, the course will explore the socio-cognitive, historical-social, symbolic, and psycho-political themes associated with the processes of psycho-socio-cultural change brought about by successive charismatic leaders throughout history. Mass psychology in the age of the internet and globalisation will be the subject of the specialisation section of the course.
Online Resources
More information
FOR NON-ATTENDING WORKING STUDENTS. The exam can be taken as normal by studying the books and chapters indicated in the syllabus. For any clarification, you can come to the instructor's office hours (see calendar), or you can arrange a specific appointment via email.
FOR ERASMUS STUDENTS. The written exam may be taken in Italian, English, Spanish, or French. They will also be granted additional time to complete the exam and may use an Italian dictionary.