Sociology of Cultural Processes (2007/2008)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to introduce the basic concepts of the processes of construction of social reality in the dialectical relationship between action and institution and between individual and society. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of specific cultural phenomena which offer useful tools in order to understand the particular dynamics of social change.

The first part of the course will conduct a systematic reflection on the processes of institutionalization and socialization as foundative social systems structures. The second part will critically analyse the concept of risk, viewed as a social phenomenon and cultural product which offer useful tools for understanding the specific dynamics of social change and cultural complex in modern society.

Texts for the examination

- P.L. Berger, T. Luckmann, La realtà come costruzione sociale, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1966;
- U. Beck, La società del rischio: verso una seconda modernità, Carocci, Roma, 2000;
- L. Migliorati, Rischio, una parola pericolosa: uno studio sulla funzione sociale del rischio, QuiEdit, Verona, 2006;

Student who will not follow the lessons, will add to the examination program one of the following texts listed below:

- Z. Bauman, La società dell’incertezza, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1999;
- A. Giddens, Le conseguenze della modernità, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1994;
- A. Laurent, Storia dell’individualismo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 1994.

The examination will be oral.