Learning objectives

Starting from a general overview of some of the main approaches and concepts used in sociology to understand the features and functions of society, the course will allow students to identify the social dimension of sport and physical activity by considering them both from internal and external observation points, namely as specific social phenomena and elements of society that are always related to other elements. Specific attention will be paid to the relationship between health and physical activity. This relationship, from the point of view of the sociology of health, recalls essential questions also in the sport sciences: individual wellness/wellness, body care, prevention of pathologies typical of post-modernity. At the end of the course, the student must: - know the basic concepts of sociology applied to sports science and the concept of health, from the sociological point of view; - be able to identify the social dimension of phenomena related to sport and physical activity and, in particular, analyse the relatioship among physical activity/body/health; - know how to assess the impact and social importance of phisical activity; - be able to use the concepts studied in an appropriate manner both in general terms and with special regard to physical activity.