93495 - Sociology of Journalism (LM)

Learning outcomes

The class offers methods and conceptual tools to understand journalism as an institution and an occupation. The aim is to give students the critical competence to reflexively think at the social and cultural conditions in which the production of news occurs. 

At the end the student is supposed to

- know the main sociological methods useful for studying journalism empirically  and even doing journalism as a kind of social investigation

- know the major professional models and the typical institutional dilemmas of journalism as an historically situated field of practice

- be able to analyze conditions and situations in which the journalistic occupation is exerted in contemporary societies;

- is able to extend the range of her skils through the creative use of concepts, models and methods illustrated in class.

Course contents

This year, the course is dedicated to the sociology of journalism from the perspective of Pierre Bourdieu. A heuristic tool we will focus on in particular will be that of the "field," and specifically the "journalistic field," which has recently become a strategic conceptual model in Journalism Studies. The components of this model, which will be framed within Bourdieu's more general theory of the social world, will be analytically described, the research operations through which it is put into practice will be illustrated, and its strengths and limitations will be evaluated. After viewing some applications to specific cases, we will attempt, also with the help of the students, to apply it to the case of Italian journalism. We will work together to construct the "journalistic field in Italy," focusing on some of its "regions"—television journalism, investigative journalism, war journalism, mafia journalism, sports journalism...

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

The same texts of the official Italian program.

However, I am available to discuss options and agree on a different (but equivalent for length and difficulty) bibliography in English.

Teaching methods

Lectures with PowerPoint and video; participatory approach; teaching material uploaded to Virtual learning environment.

Assessment methods

Oral test (= questioning on the compulsory texts in the syllabus, through content questions and short exercises on the application of the concepts and models explained in the course). There is an option for attending students to discuss a final research paper (minimum 3000 words) on an aspect of the journalistic field agreed upon in advance with the lecturer. The oral examination will focus mainly (but not exclusively) on the paper.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

slides and syllabus

Office hours

See the website of Marco Santoro