POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: GIOVANNI PIAZZA

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to provide the theoretical and empirical knowledge, and the analytical tools related to the main concepts, actors and processes studied by the political sociology. In addition, the course aims to stimulate reflection and the ability of critical interpretation by the students concerning the contemporary political phenomena, also by using the computer media and audio-visual devices (internet links, projections of graphs, tables, pictures and videos).

Course Structure

Frontal teaching, homework

Required Prerequisites

No mandatory prerequisites. It is preferable to have basic knowledge of general sociology and political science

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is not mandatory but recommended.

Detailed Course Content

Politics and political sociology. The modern state, nation and nationalism, theories. Governance and authoritarian neoliberalism. Political violence: police power, terrorism, armed struggle, wars and revolutions. Participatory and deliberative democracy, democratic confederalism. Neoliberalism and post-democracies. Political participation. Social Movements: approaches, social structures and change, identity, emotions and symbolic production, organization and networks, repertoires of action and political context; movements and globalization. Ideologies and political cultures; right / left, populism. Communication and political processes: languages, rituals. Other politics: Territorial movements (No Tav, No Muos). Student movements. The squatting movements for social centers. No-War movements.

Textbook Information

- de Nardis F. (2023) (Seconda edizione), Sociologia politica. Per comprendere i fenomeni politici contemporanei. Milano, McGraw-Hill:

cap. 1 (par. 1.1, 1.2), pp. 1-13; cap. 5 (par. 5.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4) pp. 149-158, 181-192; cap. 7 (par. 7.1, 7.2, 7.3), pp. 231-258; cap. 8 (par. 8.1.3, 8.2, 8.2.1, 8.2.2, 8.4.3), pp. 288-310, 344-345; cap. 10, pp. 375-418; cap. 11 (par. 11.1, 11.2, 11.4.2), pp. 421-439, 458-461; cap. 12 (par. 12.1, 12.2), pp. 463-473.

- Alteri L., Busso S., Piazza G., Raffini L. (2025, a cura di), L’altra politica. La partecipazione tra movimenti sociali e attivismo civico nei vecchi e nuovi conflitti. Milano, McGraw-Hill: cap. 1 (par. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4), pp. 1-22; cap. 5, pp. 71-82; cap. 8, pp. 109-120; cap. 11, pp. 147-157; cap. 19, pp. 245-255.

- Piazza G. (2023), "Da Comiso a Niscemi, passando per Sigonella. Quali fattori influenzano la partecipazione nei movimenti antimilitaristi e No-War contro le basi usa-nato in Sicilia?", in Acronia, n. 3, 2023, pp. 104-126.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral exam. The acquired knowledge and the critical ability to apply analytical categories to current political phenomena will be assessed.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

What is politics, the state, the nation, violence, participation, social movements, communication, etc. (all topics in the program)

Degree Course in

History, Politics and International Relations