. - Sociology of the Family and Childhood
PROF. DIEGO MESA
COURSE AIMS
The course aims to introduce students to the sociological reading of the family and
childhood, of the conditions of minors within contemporary society and
transformations relevant to family agencies for primary socialisation. Together
with the main theoretical approaches, the course intends to provide students with
tools for the acquisition of knowledge of empirical investigation into current issues
concerning changes to relationships between generations, the main present changes
to intra-family relationships, social-educational policies for families and new
generations as well as the conditions of foreign minors.
COURSE CONTENT
The course is organised into four parts.
PART 1: SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY
A sociological reading of the family: interpretative approaches, crucial topics and
research methods. How families have changed today: paternal and maternal
identityt wuthin contemporary families, relationships between couples; power,
conflict and asymmetry; plurality of forms of families; differences between genres,
families in the public sphere.
PART 2: SOCIOLOGY OF CHILDHOOD
Elements of sociology of childhood; French and British approaches; childhood
studies; the establishment of sociological attentionl in Italy in reference to
childhood; the main theory frameworks (functionalism, conflictualism,
interactionism); formal and informal socialisation; childhood research issues and
study methods: role play and social power; a birthday party invitation as a rite of
passage; negotiation for independence between childhood and adolescence;
legislation conflicts and self-government; management of domestic, extra-domestic
spaces and of sport.
PART 3:
YOUNG PEOPLES’ TRANSITION FROM THEIR ORIGINAL FAMILY TO THEIR ELECTED
FAMILY
A specific approach to intragenerational relationships: the M/M model; influence
of the original context on academic-professional careers; the de-institutionalisation
of transition phases to adult life; the formation of a new family as a life marker,
family relations, consideration styles and fundamental concerns.
PART 4: IN-DEPTH STUDY OF ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS (STUDENTS’ CHOICE)
- The well-being of minors in various European countries
- The participation of minors in the family, school and the local community
- Childhood and adolescence rights in Italy and their implementation
- The social inclusion of families and foreign minors
Additional indications will be provided during the course and posted on the
Blackboard platform.
READING LIST
Students should bring the following compulsory reading to the examination:
For Parts 1 and 2
P. DI NICOLA, Famiglia: sostantivo plurale. Amarsi, crescere e vivere nelle famiglie del terzo
millennio, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2008.
V. BELOTTI – S. LA MENDOLA (EDITED BY), Il futuro nel presente: per una sociologia delle bambine e
dei bambini, Guerini, Milano, 2010, the Introductory Section only (pages 9-51), Part One
(pages 55-88) and the essay: Giochi di bambini. Riproduzione interpretativa e culture dei pari
by W.A. Corsaro (pages 91-106).
For Part 3
D. MESA, Giovani, cultura e società, Franco Angeli, Milano, (soon to be published).
(The parts to be studied will be indicated on the Blackboard platform)
For Part 4 (Choose one of the following)
V. BELOTTI - E. MORETTI (EDITED BY), L’Italia minore, the Introductory Section only (pages I-XV) and
Chapters 1,2 and3 (pages 1-110), Quaderno 51/2011.
The book can be downloaded at http://www.minori.it/archivio_quaderni
V. BELOTTI (EDITED BY), Costruire senso, negoziare spazi, Ragazzi e Ragazze nella vita quotidiana,
the Introduction only (pages I-XVIII), Chapter 2 (pages 23-34), Chapters 9 and 10 (pages 123172) and any two chapters from Chapters 3,4,5,6,7 and 8. Quaderno 50/2011.
The book can be downloaded at http://www.minori.it/archivio_quaderni
Save The Children, 5° Rapporto di aggiornamento sul monitoraggio della Convenzione sui diritti
dell’infanzia e dell’adolescenza in Italia 2011-2012, 2011. The book can be downloaded at
http://images.savethechildren.it/IT/f/img_pubblicazioni/img187_b.pdf
Save The Children, I minori stranieri in Italia, 2° Rapporto annuale, 2011. The book can be
downloaded at http://images.savethechildren.it/IT/f/img_pubblicazioni/img133_b.pdf
TEACHING METHOD
The course consists of teaching units and lectures, accompanied by the reading abd
viewing of film footage from various sources. All material will be available online at the
Blackboard platform (http://Blackboard.unicatt.it). During the lectures further reading
references may be made to allow students to carry out more detailed study of topics
discussed during lectures and to develop a personalised study programme based on personal
interests. These indications will also be included on Blackboard.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
The examination consists of a written test on Points 1-2, an oral test based on Points 3-4
and a brief dissertation to be submitted on completion of the course on one of the essays not
mentioned as compulsory reading from V. BELOTTI – S. LA MENDOLA (edited by), Il futuro nel
presente: per una sociologia delle bambine e dei bambini, Guerini, Milano, 2010. Precise
methodological indications regarding the dissertation will be provided during lectures and on
Blackboard Full-time students will have the opportunity of sitting a written test at the end of the
first term. Similarly, full-time students have the option of replacing the dissertation with an
illustration of their chosen topic, thus in turn will lead to a reduction of the reading in Point 4,
which will be arranged with the tutor. During the examination students should utilise precise
sociological language and make clear references to concepts explored during the course as well as
demonstrate the ability to support them with examples from empirical research or personal
considerations.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.