Introduction to Sociology Social research methods

Skills acquisition General: - Ability for analysis and synthesis - Critical thinking - Capacity to recognize the complexity of social phenomena - Ability to both contextualise social phenomena and identify the key players of any situation - Knowledge of social research methods Specific: - Knowledge of the historical development of European urban areas - Ability to analyse urban socio-spatial processes - Capacity to link urban phenomena with broader social processes - Ability to identify urban dynamics of conflict - Capacity for the implementation of the performance of different phases of a social research project located in an urban setting - Ability to contribute to the design of public policies to address specific problems of urban environments

URBAN SOCIOLOGY The unit focuses on the city as a social construction linking its multiple social relations with the spatial structure that supports them, without overlooking a broader view of the processes of urbanization and the consequent questioning of what is specifically urban. From this point of view the unit analyses the city as the spatial framework of urbanization processes but also as a place for people's encounter and the locus where economic and power games take place. The course looks at the theoretical reflection prompted by the urban experience from the origins of Sociology, providing at the same time with the conceptual elements necessary to explain both urban social change and trends of the city in the context of globalization and current political-economic trends. I. HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN CITY 1. Evolution of the city (I) 2. Evolution of the city (II) II. THE CITY IN SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY 3. The city in classical sociological theory Friedrich Engels, Max Weber, George Simmel, The Chicago School 4. Urban theory in recent times Henri Lefebvre, Manuel Castells, David Harvey / Saskia Sassen III. THE URBANIZATION OF THE WORLD 5. Unsustainable growth and inequality in large cities Global urban population, megacities, peripheralization, suburban sprawl, spiral of poverty in cities of developing countries IV. DYNAMICS AND PROCESSES IN THE URBAN ARENA 6. Morphology of the city Urban elements: land, housing, public facilities, public space, elements of the urban image 7. Urban dynamics Diversity (Jane Jacobs), gentrification, neighbourhood effect, ghetto/hyperghetto V. URBAN POLITICS 8. Commodification of cities De-regulation, urban competition and their impact on urban policies. The abandonment of city planning 9. Instruments of urban policy in Spain City planning , housing policies, the real estate crisis, the need for regulation. Gender and planning. The city of COVID-19.

The programme will be developed through both theoretical lectures and practical lessons. The latter are thought to complement each of the subjects of the programme. They reinforce theory learning by using, analysing and criticising concepts but also comparing and relating them to the most relevant debates, discussions and lines of argumentation. The practical lessons will have different content and scope: methodological, workgroup, presentations, individual exercises based on texts or audiovisual material, etc. Students will form groups to carry out a research piece of work to be collectively presented in the last sessions of the course. Students will do an assessment test in the middle of the term.