Knowledge and understanding of main urban sociology theories and approaches regarding urban phenomena of social inclusions/exclusion and inequalities in the urban space. Knowledge of social research methodology and methods to investigate urban phenomena. Attending students in particular are also expected to develop the ability to apply the theoretical concepts and methodological tools learned in class to the the analysis of real case studies.

There are no indispensable prerequisites. Some knowledge in history, philosophy, social sciences and statistics could be useful, but it does not constitute a pre-requirement.

The course aims at problematizing socio-spatial inequalities, offering conceptual and methodological tools of analysis within the frame of urban sociology. More specifically, the following macro-theme will be addressed: - Concepts of poverty, social exclusion and participation - Social stratification and social inequalities - Social facts shaped in space: introduction to urban sociology - Phenomena and processes of socio-spatial inequality: Unequal cities, segregated spaces; public spaces, uses and control; social mix; housing; lifestyle and consumption; gentrification & displacement; studentification, touristification & urban playscapes; right to the city - Participation, social inclusion and the just city Participation and governance; participatory approach and inclusive decision making process - Methodology for social research Introduction to methodology; The steps of a research project; Quantitative and qualitative methods

The course is organized in A) frontal lessons (40 hours) + B) class activities and group exercises (20h). A) The frontal lessons (40h) deal with the theoretical and methodological approaches related to social inclusion/exclusion and participation in urban spaces developed within the frame of urban sociology. The first part of the course will provide the tools and concepts for developing a sociological perspective to critically address urban phenomena of social inclusion/exclusion and inequality. Then, these tools and concepts will be put at work in analysing specific issues connected to urban processes. Residential segregation, lifestyle and consumption, use and control of public space, gentrification, housing, participation and urban governance are some of the topics that will be developed to thematise different forms of social stratification and inequality in the urban space. The course will also provide an overview of social research methodology and of the methods that could be used to investigate the urban phenomena discussed in class. B) In addition to frontal lessons, group exercises will be carried out (20 hours). Divided in groups, students will elaborate a written research proposal, putting at work the theoretical concepts and the research methods discussed in class, applying them to case studies. Lectures by external experts on specific topics may be delivered to enrich the learning process in class hours.

Complete bibliography for attending and non-attending students will be shared at the beginning of the course. Different materials for the exam are foreseen whether the student takes the exam as attending student (regularly taking part to class activities) or as non-attending students (not regularly present in class). Attending students will have to study the content of the classes + selected reading material+ selected chapters of one of the monographs listed below (3a or 3b or 3c); Non-attending students will have to study the content of a theoretical handbook (1: selected chapters) + a methodological handbook (2: selected chapters) + selected chapters of one of the monographs listed below (3a or 3b or 3c). Parts of the following texts will be used: 1. Gottdiener M., Hohle R., King C. (2019). The New Urban Sociology. Routledge 2. Verloo N., Bertolini L. (eds., 2020). Seeing the City. Interdisciplinary perspectives on the study of the urban. Amsterdam University Press 3a. Desmond M. (2016). Evicted. Poverty and Profit in the American City. Crown 3b. Ren, X. (2020). Governing the Urban in China and India. Land Grabs, Slum Clearance, and the War on Air Pollution. Princeton University Press 3c. Zukin, S. (2010). Naked city. The death and life of authentic urban places. Oxford University Press

Lecture slides; Text book;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group essay;

Students may take the exam as A) attending students or as B) non-attending students. Students are considered as attending students if they are present in classroom, take active part to classes, exercises and group discussions, they present in class the results of the overall group exercise during the last week of class and they submit the related presentation document. Students are considered as non-attending if they do not take part to classes and do not present/submit the results of group class exercise. Different reading materials for the exam are foreseen whether the student takes the exam as attending student or as non-attending students. A) ATTENDING STUDENTS For attending students, the final grade is based on the evaluation of class activities/group exercise (40%) + an individual oral exam (60%). The class activities and the final group exercise are developed during the period of the course. The final group exercise is presented and discussed by the group during the last week of class and the related essay has to be submitted right after (7 working days before the first exam session at the latest). Through such exercise, the knowledge and understanding of social research methodology and methods, as well as their application to one of the theoretical topics addressed in class in the frame of a specific case study (chosen by the students) will be evaluated. Then, the individual oral exam (lasting around 15 minutes) assesses the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical contents addressed in class during the course and developed through the selected readings assigned. B) NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS For non-attending students, the final grade is based on the individual oral exam only. The individual oral exam lasts approximately 15/20 minutes and it aims at evaluating the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and methodological contents of the mandatory reading materials. Further indications regarding the mandatory reading materials will be available at the beginning of the course.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.