POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

Course Structure

• POWER AND PARTICIPATION

  The course aims to provide the theoretical and empirical knowledge, and the analytical tools related to the main concepts, actors and processes studied by the political sociology. In addition, the module aims to stimulate reflection and the ability of critical interpretation by the students concerning the contemporary political phenomena, also by using the computer media and audio-visual devices (internet links, projections of graphs, tables, pictures and videos).

• PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION

  The module provides a specific focus on the political role of the communication and social movements, with particular reference to: the new communicative dynamics of collective action in the virtual spaces online (Internet) and in the real off line places; the territorial movements, the movements in higher education and the squatting movements for housing and social centers. The module aims to stimulate reflection and the ability of critical discussion and argumentation by the students concerning the contemporary political phenomena.

Detailed Course Content

• POWER AND PARTICIPATION

  Politics and political sociology. Social forms of Power. Power in the Marxist tradition. The modern State: Nation and nationalism. Political violence: the police power, terrorism armed struggle, wars and revolutions. Participatory and deliberative democracy. Political participation. Social Movements: approaches, identity, networks, repertoires of action and political context; movements and globalization. Ideologies and political cultures; left / right, populism. Socialization and political generations.

• PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION

  Communication and political processes: languages, rituals, political media coverage, electoral campaigns. Citizens and online politics. Territorial movements (No Muos). Social movements in higher education. The squatting movements for housing and social centers at local, national and transnational level.

Textbook Information

• POWER AND PARTICIPATION

  de Nardis F. (2013), Sociologia politica. Per comprendere i fenomeni politici contemporanei. Milano, McGraw-Hill: cap. 1 (par. 1.1), pp. 4-6; cap. 2 (par. 2.1), pp. 30-33; cap. 3 (par. 3.1), pp. 78-83; cap. 6 (par. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4), pp. 167-189; cap. 8 (par. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3) pp.241-255; cap. 10 (par. 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5.0), pp. 309-344; cap. 11 (par. 11.3), pp. 385-393; cap. 12 (par. 12.1, 12.2, 12.3), pp. 407-425; cap. 15, pp. 491-534; cap. 16, pp. 539-565; cap. 17 (par. 17.1, 17.2), pp. 568-579.

• PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION

  de Nardis F. (2013), Sociologia politica. Per comprendere i fenomeni politici contemporanei. Milano, McGraw-Hill: cap. 18, pp. 587-611.

  della Porta, D. e Piazza, G. (2016), Il cambiamento di scala del Movimento No MUOS: Oltre la protesta contro l’inquinamento elettromagnetico, in «StrumentiRes. Rivista online della Fondazione RES», Anno VIII, n. 2, Maggio (www.strumentires.com).

  Raffini L. (2014), La politica online alla prova della democrazia, in Alteri L. e Raffini L. (a cura di), La nuova politica. Movimenti, mobilitazioni e conflitti in Italia. EdiSES, Napoli, cap. 7, pp. 169-182.

  Piazza G. (2018), Not only students, but also not enough: the waves of protest in the higher education in Italy, in «International Review of Social Research», Vol. 8 n. 1, pp. 64-73.

  Piazza G. (a cura di) (2012), Il movimento delle occupazioni di squat e centri sociali in Europa, in “Partecipazione e Conflitto”, n. 1, Franco Angeli, Milano, pp. 5-18; 69-92.

  Piazza G. (2018), Squatting Social Centers in a Sicilian City: Liberated Spaces and Urban Protest Actors, in «Antipode. A Radical Journal of Geography», Vol. 50, n. 2, pp. 498-522.