Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is the acquisition of the basic concepts through which the sociological Knowledge has developed. To get to the understanding of reality and of the concept of “society”, on which depends the understanding of the notion of social-cultural process, we will focus on these notions: social control, system model, social system and cultural system.
We’ll then approach a new tide of thinking, born of Ivan Illich (1926-2002), the so-called “convivial society”, which tries to call into question, both on the social and on the economical point of view, the concept of development. The guideline of this thinker can be resumed in the few words: “Our wealth is measured by the number of things we can do without”.

prerequisite: none

Program

Reference texts:
Gilli G.A., Manuale di sociologia, Bruno Mondadori, Milano 2000; Aron R., Le tappe del pensiero sociologico, Mondadori, Milano 1999 (Comte, Durkheim, Marx, Pareto, Weber); Morandi E., La società è un “uomo in grande”, Marietti 1820, Genova-Milano 2010; Illich I., Pervertimento del Cristianesimo, Quodlibet, Milano 2013.


Teaching methods: frontal lectures and exercises

Examination Methods

Written examination (open questions)