72514 - Sociology of Culture (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student: has basic knowledge about the social changes in terms of changes in values and models of life, which impact on the methods of production and reception of culture; develops theoretical skills to facilitate the sociological reading of these phenomena, through interpretative and explanatory schemes typical of sociological research; knows how to analyze cultural trends and the way in which they impact on social processes; knows how to place cultural dimensions in the context of social morphogenesis that affects the various areas of society: from those concerning socialization agencies to those concerning the worlds of local communities, work, civic and political participation, the various types of social, economic and political organizations, to define the different forms in which cultural participation is embodied.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two parts. The first aims to introduce students to the acquisition of basic conceptual and theoretical tools. Thus, in this first part of the course, the Sociology of Culture is introduced from a theoretical perspective, starting with the classics. The relationship between things, norms, values, beliefs and symbols will be considered in order to explore the concept of culture and the nature of its links with the social world.
In the second in-depth thematic/seminar part, cultural analysis will be explored by getting to the heart of understanding the relationships between the system of culture, institutions, practices and cultural processes.

We will discuss in particular the meaning of "social value of culture", the transformative effects of the creative artistic practices as a way to produce knowledge, social imagination, cultural participation, social wellbeing, social and cultural sustainability, forms of agency and subjectivity. 

A number of thematic fields will be explored, also through cases and practices. Among other: 

• Festival and territories
• "Embodied art form", imaginaries, subjectivity and creative communities 
• Processes and practices of cultural welfare
• Cultural spaces as places of creation of citizenship
• Cultural heritage and cultural mediation
• Art and activism
  

In this second part of the course, testimonies of significant experiences will be hosted.

Readings/Bibliography

Mandatory bibliography valid for attending and non attending students:
1) W. Griswold, Sociologia della cultura, il Mulino, Bologna, 2005. NO chapters 6; or english version: Cultures and Society in a changing world, Sage, no chapter 6 and 8.

2) Resources prepared by the lecturer (ppt used during the lessons and pdf of sociological theories) uploaded online to support and to supplement the above text

3) Thematic study, through:

Attending students: a combination of 4 chapter/articles in total: a) 2 chapters chosen from the book Paltrinieri R. (a cura di) (2022) Il valore sociale della cultura, FrancoAngeli, Milano and Paltrinieri R. Spampinato F. (a cura di) (2024), Arti e Agency Il valore sociale e politico delle arti nelle comunità, FrancoAngeli, Milano; b) other 2 chapters/articles chosen from the two book or from a list of other resources made available online.

NON attending: a) the book Paltrinieri R. (a cura di) (2022) Il valore sociale della cultura, FrancoAngeli, Milano; b) 2 chapters/articles /saggi chosen from the book Paltrinieri R., Spampinato F. (a cura di) (2024), Arti e Agency Il valore sociale e politico delle arti nelle comunità, FrancoAngeli, Milano or from a list of other resources made available online.

N.B.students who have difficulty studying texts in Italian are invited to contact the teacher to agree on other resources and how to prepare for the final exam.

Teaching methods

Students will be invited to active and critical participation. The second part will deepen certain themes, including by discussing cases and inviting referents of significant experiences.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral exam and will focus on the texts and materials indicated in the bibliography relating to the first institutional part (Griswold + in-depth ppt and pdf) and on the presentation of a thematic area of your choice based on the indicated bibliography.

The presentation must not simply expose the texts studied, but propose its own elaboration capable of highlighting a reading lens of the chosen topic, of the thematic connections and also with the basic concepts addressed in the first part of the course, in order to compose own way of arguing.

A ppt presentation of the speech may be used, at the discretion of the students.

- It will produce excellent valuations: the ability to deepen and critically address the topics covered during the course and ability to put into connection with each other the main issues addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect the specificity of the discipline.

- It will produce discrete valuations: mnemonic knowledge of contents and partial ability to link the themes covered; the use of appropriate language.

- It will produce sufficient valuations: a minimal body of knowledge on the topics covered; the use of inappropriate language.

- It will produce negative valuations: lack of guidance within the themes addressed in the exam readings and training gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

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

The slides used in class will be made available to students through the Virtual platform - LearningEnvironment, as well as further useful contributions to the discussion of the topics addressed in the second part.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Allegrini