Learning objectives
At the end of the course, it is expected that students will be able to:
• define some key concepts related to the study of political sociology;
• develop critical reflections on the relationship between politics and society, including references to current socio-political events;
• formulate personal positions on the discussed topics, supporting them with their own arguments and/or those drawn from others;
• distinguish, contextualize, and deepen certain contents brought by social movements and old/new forms of political participation.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
‘Politics’ is one of the most overused and mistreated words in contemporary societies. Usually referred to political parties, electoral dynamics, and ‘dirty’ interests, politics—in its original sense—refers instead to something broader, concerning the daily lives of everyone. Politics concerns (or should concern) the civic, collective, and public dimensions of existence, encompassing everything which goes beyond our strictly individual and private life experiences. Politics, therefore, involves (or should involve) both institutional dynamics and the processes of participation and conflict among social groups, associations, and interest groups. Thus, politics is not only what comes ‘from above’ but also what comes ‘from below’ and is proposed by social movements and other social groups presenting alternative visions of society. Without hiding the issues related to politics in its common-sense meaning (issues evident in the widespread distrust of political parties, high rates of electoral abstention, as well as episodes of political corruption), the course seeks to restore dignity to and analytically address the collective dimension of our lives and societies.
In the first part of the course, basic concepts of general sociology will be reviewed. Subsequently, some key concepts of political sociology will be introduced, such as: power, state, violence, domination, administration, nationalism, populism, lobbying, participation, conflict, etc. The second part of the course will focus on some forms of unconventional participation, such as: digital activism, environmentalist, animal rights and vegan movements, feminist and religious movements, conflicts over techno-science, migrant mobilizations, those related to basic income, housing rights protests, organized movements of sports fans.
Theoretical lessons will be conducted in an interactive and dialogic manner, aiming to stimulate critical reflections among students. Some lessons will be dedicated to deepening these 'new' forms of politics and unconventional participation, possibly with the presence of guests (scholars, but also activists).
Full programme
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Bibliography
The course is based on the following texts, which—together with the slides—also constitute the material to be prepared for the exam:
Fabio De Nardis (2023). Sociologia Politica. Per comprendere i fenomeni politici contemporanei, Mc Graw Hill, Milano. [Political Sociology. Understanding contemporary political phenomena]
Luca Alteri, Sandro Busso, Gianni Piazza e Luca Raffini (a cura di, 2025), L’altra politica. La partecipazione non convenzionale nei vecchi e nuovi conflitti sociopolitici, Mc Graw Hill, Milano. [The other politics. Non-conventional participation in old and new sociopolitical conflicts]
The bibliography and all course materials, including slides, can be downloaded from the Elly platform by accessing the course site for "Political Sociology and Social Movements." Non-attending students are especially recommended to check the available teaching materials and the instructions provided by the professor through the Elly platform.
Teaching methods
The course uses and integrates various teaching methods: lectures; interactive lessons; lessons with guest speakers; viewing, commentary, and discussion of films and documentaries.
Assessment methods and criteria
Preparing for the exam involves a critical study of the topics covered in class and in the textbooks. By "critical study," it is meant that the focus will not only be on the repetition of learned concepts but also on their elaboration—critically, meaning different from what is presented by the professor and the textbooks—by the students. This critical elaboration must be supported by solid arguments, including those based on personal insights.
Attending students must prepare the following chapters and sections of the textbook "Political Sociology" (De Nardis): 2, 4.1, 4.2, 5, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 8, 9, 10, 11. Additionally, they must choose one or more thematic chapters from the book "The other politics" and present the content in class. These presentations will provide an opportunity to collectively discuss various topics (e.g., sports and politics; religious movements; techno-scientific conflicts; feminism; digital activism; etc.).
Non-attending students, on the other hand, are required to prepare both volumes in their entirety.
The assessment will be conducted through an oral examination to evaluate the mastery of fundamental concepts and theories of the discipline, as well as the ability to sustain a reasoning and critical discussion on the topics under study, including their relevance to current political and social issues.
The exam evaluation criteria are as follows: knowledge of the course content; ability to express clearly and coherently; ability to formulate judgments independently and critically. Students will be deemed insufficient if they are significantly lacking in the aforementioned criteria. A low or medium-low grade (18-23/30) will be awarded to a student who demonstrates an acceptable level according to the aforementioned criteria; a medium or medium-high grade (24-27/30) will be awarded to a student who demonstrates a good level according to the aforementioned criteria; a high grade (28/30 and above) will be awarded to a student who demonstrates an excellent level according to the aforementioned criteria, achieved also through personal insights.
These criteria apply to the oral exam for non-attending students, while they are considered "composed" for attending students (30% for presentations and class discussions; 70% for the oral exam). The grade will be communicated to all (both attending and non-attending students) at the end of the oral exam.
Other information
Announcements regarding changes to office hours, exams, or other matters are communicated on the professor’s personal page: https://personale.unipr.it/it/ugovdocenti/person/245835 Exceptionally, ad hoc communications may be added via email.
The professor holds online meetings on the Teams platform, by prior arrangement via email (niccolo.bertuzzi@unipr.it).
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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