12661 - Sociology of Communication (1) (R-Z)

Academic Year 2017/2018

Learning outcomes

Students can learn the basic notions of sociological theories and empirical research about culture and cultural consumption. It aims at developing the competences required to read the changes in cultural life and carry out field research in a proper sociological way. At the end of the course, the student should be able to understand the cultural processes, their role in the social life, and the characteristics of cultural consumption, including the old and new media.

Course contents

The course focuses on cultural consumption, included media and new media:

- meaning of "cultural consumption"
- the rise of the consumption and mass society; high culture /popular culture; audiences studies
- cultural consumption and lifestyles
- cultural consumption and globalisation in the social media era

Readings/Bibliography

1) S. Capecchi, L'audience attiva, Roma, Carocci, new edition 2015
(pp. 67-95, 134-154, 159-161, 174-196, 251-266; or chapther 2: 2.2.2.; box 2.4, 2.3. 2.4; box 2.5, par. 2.6, 2.7, box 2.9; chapther 3: box 3.1 and 3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2; chapter 4: box 4.2, 4.2)

2) Collected readings on cultural consumption: [http://campus.unibo.it/240106/]


Teaching methods

Lectures and discussions.

Assessment methods

Written exam (open-ended questions and multiple choice question) about the suggested readings.

Erasmus+ and internationals students who attend the lectures can agree with the teacher a different written option.


Teaching tools

Slides and video.


Office hours

See the website of Saveria Capecchi