The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical bases of the sociology of social exclusion and inclusion. It also aims to make students to develop the tools for applying these concepts to societal dynamics, analysing exclusion and inclusion processes in various fields and their consequences in terms of social change. 

The course aims to explore the processes of social exclusion and inclusion in sociology through four main modules:
Part 1 - The sociological debate on social exclusion:

- Definition of basic concepts;

- Forerunners of the concept of social exclusion in classical sociology;

- The development of the concept from France to Europe;

- The contemporary debate about social exclusion.

Part 2 - Multidimensionality and intersectionality:

- Class, poverty and work as vehicles of exclusion;

- Racial and ethno-cultural discrimination;

- Feminist approaches to social exclusion;

- The spatial dimension of social exclusion;

- From multidimensionality to intersectionality;

Part 3 - Model of social inclusion and their applications:

- Exclusion and inclusion societies;

- What types of inclusion?;

- Inclusion and social change.

Part 4 - The case of migration

- Inclusion and exclusion policies towards migrants and people from a migration background;

- Migration as a mirror of inclusion and exclusion processes;

- The Italian case.

None.

• Knowledge and understanding: Students are expected to have adequate knowledge of the theoretical foundations and contemporary debate of the sociology of social inclusion and exclusion.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: Students should be able to apply the theoretical and critical framework presented during the course to contemporary social dynamics, identifying their potential in terms of exclusion and/or inclusion.
• Making judgements: Students should demonstrate the ability to critically analyse the knowledge acquired, independently discussing any limits or room for expansion of the concepts presented.
• Communication skills: Students are expected to have the ability to present theory and its application to practical cases effectively, using the technical language of the discipline correctly without sacrificing clarity.
• Learning skills: Students are expected to be able to study and learn both independently and from discussion with the lecturer and colleagues.

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

Students will be provided with the slides of each lecture as well as optional study materials. Any seminars outside the course but of interest to the covered topics will be pointed out during the lectures.

Teaching

Lectures, discussion of articles and optional materials, group discussion of specific cases.

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom for some of the covered topics, particularly in the second and fourth modules.

Attendance

To be considered an attending student, it is necessary to participate in at least two thirds of the lessons (12).

Course books

General book:

• Tuorto, D. (2017). Esclusione sociale. Uno sguardo sociologico. Pearson

A specific book chosen between:

• Ciniero, A. (2024). Le politiche dell'esclusione. Centri di accoglienza, ghetti agricoli e campi rom in Italia. Meltemi.
• Kern, L. (2024). La città femminista. La lotta per lo spazio in un mondo disegnato da uomini. Treccani. (excluding a chapter chosen between 1, 2 e 3).
• Saraceno, C. (2015). Il lavoro non basta. La povertà in Europa negli anni della crisi. Feltrinelli.

Course slides will be made available to students on the Moodle > Blended Learning platform. Additional materials will also be provided on the same platform.

NOTE: Alternative English materials can be provided upon request by the student.

Assessment

Individual oral examination, focusing on knowledge and critical reading skills of study texts and lecture content. Grading in thirtieths with the possibility of honours.

Four criteria concur in the assessment of the examination: 1) knowledge of the concepts and theoretical foundations, 2) ability to critically rework these frameworks, 3) ability to apply the theoretical framework to concrete social dynamics, 4) use of technical language and clarity of expression. Each criterion can be assessed as insufficient, sufficient, good or excellent. Sufficiency in criterion 1 and at least one of criteria 2 and 3 is required as a minimum pass requirement. The highest rating is achieved with an excellent level in all four criteria. Although not part of the main criteria, the ability to elaborate independently, make connections and propose cases of application not explicitly addressed during the lectures or in the study texts is particularly appreciated and required for the achievement of honours.

Optional thesis for frequent participants

Attending students are offered the possibility of supplementing their examination grade with a written paper to be completed independently and concerning the application of the concepts addressed during the course to a specific case. This paper is not compulsory and the specific topic must be agreed upon with the lecturer on reception. If you choose to do so, it must be delivered at least one week before the date of the oral interview and the assessment will be divided as follows: 70% oral exam, 30% written paper.

The paper must be between 4000 and 6000 words (bibliography included) and will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1) level of in-depth study of the case presented; 2) ability to critically elaborate the theoretical framework; 3) originality of the work; 4) mastery of technical language and clarity of expression. Each criterion can be assessed as insufficient, sufficient, good or excellent. For a sufficient assessment, a sufficiency in the first two criteria is required. The highest rating is achieved with an excellent level in all four criteria. 

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.

Teaching

Individual study of examination texts. 

In order to give non-attending students the opportunity to compensate for what is done during the lectures with self-study, it is advisable for them to make use of all the materials posted on the Moodle > Blended platform (slides, supplementary material) that are particularly useful for fully understanding the contents of the programme.

Attendance

None.

Course books

General book:

• Tuorto, D. (2017). Esclusione sociale. Uno sguardo sociologico. Pearson

A specific book chosen between:

• Ciniero, A. (2024). Le politiche dell'esclusione. Centri di accoglienza, ghetti agricoli e campi rom in Italia. Meltemi.
• Kern, L. (2024). La città femminista. La lotta per lo spazio in un mondo disegnato da uomini. Treccani. (excluding a chapter chosen between 1, 2 e 3).
• Saraceno, C. (2015). Il lavoro non basta. La povertà in Europa negli anni della crisi. Feltrinelli.

Course slides will be made available to students on the Moodle > Blended Learning platform. Additional materials will also be provided on the same platform.

NOTE: Alternative English materials can be provided upon request by the student.

Assessment

Individual oral examination, focusing on knowledge and critical reading skills of study texts and lecture content. Grading in thirtieths with the possibility of honours.

Four criteria concur in the assessment of the examination: 1) knowledge of the concepts and theoretical foundations, 2) ability to critically rework these frameworks, 3) ability to apply the theoretical framework to concrete social dynamics, 4) use of technical language and clarity of expression. Each criterion can be assessed as insufficient, sufficient, good or excellent. Sufficiency in criterion 1 and at least one of criteria 2 and 3 is required as a minimum pass requirement. The highest rating is achieved with an excellent level in all four criteria. Although not part of the main criteria, the ability to elaborate independently, make connections and propose cases of application not explicitly addressed during the lectures or in the study texts is particularly appreciated and required for the achievement of honours.

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.

In the event of specific needs (e.g. impossibility to purchase course books) please contact the lecturer.

Students can request to do the final exam in English and/or ask the lecturer an alternative program with English materials.