Faculty of Political and Social Sciences undergraduate course programme
Introduction
The aim of the undergraduate courses is to enrich and enhance the quality and level of university education for students, while fostering their critical thinking. Generally, these courses are designed using teaching methods that differ from those of undergraduate and graduate programmes at universities: assuming the acquisition of core knowledge and skills through students' university studies, the Scuola can focus its teaching on in-depth exploration of themes and methodologies.The distinctive feature of the educational model at the Scuola Normale is the integration of teaching and research, which forms the backbone of the academic pathway. Student life involves constant interaction both with senior peers and PhD students and with their lecturers. College life encourages the continuous exchange of ideas and insights, embodying the Scuolaís vision as a large laboratory of ideas.
Students enrolled at the Normale must attend courses simultaneously at both the university they are enrolled in (University of Pisa or University of Florence) and the Normale. These include lectures, seminars, lab exercises and study periods, internships and placements in highly qualified institutions, along with other activities designed to enrich their education.
Foreign language courses are also offered, promoting the ability to navigate scientific literature and strengthening the communication skills needed to engage with overseas students present thanks to exchange agreements and with visiting professors invited to give seminars and lectures.
Obviously, the development of these skills varies across the three academic structures according to the specific characteristics of each subject.
In addition to access to the library, laboratories and computing facilities of the Normale, students are provided with free accommodation in the colleges, meals, reimbursement of university tuition fees at the University of Pisa or the University of Florence, and funding for mobility to other Italian and international institutions for summer schools, internships and other educational activities.
Students who fulfil the academic obligations set by the internal regulations regarding the first three years attain the first-level degree diploma, while students who enter the Normale at the fourth year and fulfil the academic requirements of the two-year graduate programme are awarded the second-level degree diploma, equivalent to a Level II Master's degree.
Students who enter at the first year and complete the full five-year programme attain the Diploma di licenza, also equivalent to a Level II Master's degree
Undergraduate Course Programme in Politics, Economics and Sustainability
The Politics, Economics and Sustainability undergraduate course is accessible starting from the fourth year and has been designed in accordance with the general characteristics of the Scuola Normaleís undergraduate courses.
The course is offered by the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences at the Scuolaís Florence campus, in Palazzo Strozzi and Palazzo Vegni. It is integrated with the Masterís degree programmes at the University of Florence. The course is taught in English and provides tools for analyzing and interpreting political, societal and economic change through the lens of environmental and social sustainability challenges.
The teaching is structured around three core thematic areas and one transversal methodological area:
1)socio-political: democracy, political communication, associations and social movements, comparative politics;
2)socio-economic: economic politics, social politics, sociology of work, including topics such as technological innovation, inequality, gender relations and migration;
3)socio-environmental: climate crisis and ecological/social sustainability, transformation of values and everyday practices, regulatory frameworks and environmental policies, socio-technical transition;
4)methodological: qualitative and quantitative tools for research and political analysis.
Each thematic area includes one mandatory course. The remaining courses are electives and are shared with the PhD programme in Political Science and Sociology at the Scuola Normale Superiore, offering students a unique educational experience alongside peers from around the world who are already engaged in research, fostering critical thinking and academic socialization.
The teaching programme encourages active student participation, involving presentations and short essay writing.
Distinctive features of the course include the international environment of the Scuola, personalized academic mentoring and research supervision. The course is mainly aimed at students who have completed a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Sociology, Economics or Environmental Sciences.
Students in the Politics, Economics and Sustainability programme at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences simultaneously enrol in one of the Masterís programmes of the Cesare Alfieri School of Political Science at the University of Florence: PIM ñ Politics, Institutions and Marketing (LM-62) SOSGLO ñ Sociology and Global Challenges (LM-88) RISE ñ International Relations and European Studies (LM-52 and LM-90), which can be attended entirely in English.
As elective examinations, students may also choose courses from other departments of the University of Florence, such as those on economic and environmental topics, offered also in English by the School of Economics and Management.
The course includes four courses per year, totalling 80 hours annually.
Students of the Politics, Economics and Sustainability programme will find career opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
The course prepares students for social research, as well as for policy analysis and communication on environmental, economic, political and technological transitions. It equips students with tools for pursuing postgraduate studies, such as Master's programmes and PhDs, including the PhD programmes at the SNS, as well as for high-level roles in public administration, European institutions, international organizations, civil society organizations (particularly in areas related to environment, development and social rights), research institutes, consulting firms, corporate think tanks and the media sector.