POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

SPS/11 - 6 CFU - 2° Semester

Teaching Staff

GIOVANNI PIAZZA


Learning Objectives

The course aims to provide the theoretical, empirical knowledge, and the analytical tools related to the main concepts, actors and processes faced by the political sociology: the definition of politics and political sociology; the social forms of Power (political, economic, ideological) and its modern form of concentration, the State, which is analyzed in its social and historical development, and in its relationship with the various forms of political violence (war, terrorism, armed struggle ), and with the revolutionary phenomena; the political participation, the main collective actors (parties, groups and social movements), the ideologies and political cultures, the processes of political socialization and communication. The course also provides a specific focus into the political role of 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; the territorial movements (No Muos), the movements in higher education and the squatting movements for housing and social centers.



Detailed Course Content

Module 1: Politics and society.

Politics and political sociology. Social forms of Power (political, economic, ideological); Power in the Marxist tradition (Gramsci).

The modern State: the Nation and nationalism, theories and historical development; the welfare and democratic State.

The State and violence: the police power, political violence (terrorism, armed struggle), wars and revolutions.

Module 2: Socialization, political participation and communication.

Political participation: the actors (parties, groups) and conventional and unconventional forms.

The Social Movements: approaches, social structures and change, identity and symbolic production, organization and networks, repertoires of action and political context; territorial movements and globalization.

Ideologies and political cultures; dichotomy left / right, populism. Socialization and political generations. 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.



Textbook Information

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. 6 (par. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, pp. 167-190); cap. 8 (pp.241-269); cap. 10 (pp. 309-344); 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); cap. 18 (pp. 587-611).

Della Porta, D. and 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) (pp.1-28).

Alteri L. and Raffini L. (eds) (2014), La nuova politica. Movimenti, mobilitazioni e conflitti in Italia. EdiSES, Napoli (pp. 51-70; 169-190).

Piazza G. (ed.) (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).

 

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.




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