The course aims at improving student’s Informatics skills with regard to the needs of their future occupation in the field of sociology and of social work, providing a linkage between information science, and sociology and social work. A starting overall introduction to Information and Computer science will undertake the distinction between information and data on one hand, and between hardware and software on the other hand. On this basis, general discourse will turn on the empirical use of Informatics for social scientists. In their individual professional activities sociologists and social workers are asked to use a variety of tools developed by information and computer science. Students will improve their individual skills on editing and managing texts, developing spreadsheets data analysis and graphs, framing complex communication via email and social networks, displaying results slides on a screen, storing files and organizing folders as well as sharing and transferring on the cloud, searching activities for references, information and data through the Internet and featured datasets. A part of the course will focus on applications used massively within the community of professional sociologists and social workers.

Discourse will undertake the following issues:

• Introduction to ICT;
• Word Processing: Framing and Typing Texts
• The Use of Spreadsheets Editors
• Presentations
• Online Communication, Sharing Tools, Managing Files and Folders
• Searching through the Web: Information and Data
• Apps for Social Work

Although there are no mandatory prerequisites for this exam, students are strongly recommended to take it after the following courses:

Methodology of Human Sciences

Methodology and tecniques fos social research

Social Statistics

English Language

Students will acquire full mastery on fundamental of ICT, as well as on the advanced use of such technologies in modern society; on application of Informatics within the community of professional sociologists and social workers, as well as on the managing of issues related with the use of ICT in their working activities

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material and specific communications from the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons and laboratory activities

Attendance

Although recommended, course attendance is not mandatory. Attendance is required to at least ¾ of the lessons (9 classes), active participation, and the study of the course books

Course books

The lecturer will provide teaching material and books list during the course

More teaching material will be delivered during the course.

Assessment

Exam consists of a conversation on the use of ICT in the field of social sciences together with a live test held at the computer, while the students will be asked to undertake practical activities regarding some of the issues developed during the course.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

Attendance to less than ¾ of the lessons (missing for more than 3 classes), and study of the course books

Course books

Email the lecturer in order to arrange a bibliography that fits the students’ needs

Assessment

Exam consists of a conversation on the use of ICT in the field of social sciences together with a live test held at the computer, while the students will be asked to undertake practical activities regarding some of the issues developed during the course.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.