98805 - Sociology of Participation (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to offer the methodological tools to analyze the theme of audiences, highlighting the active role that audiences play in the construction of information, both online and offline. At the end 23 of the course, students will: - master the theoretical and empirical toolbox to understand how media have to deal with their audiences, or differentiated publics, real publics, potential publics and non-publics, which are their referents along a continuum; - knows how to analyze the specifics of media and how they play a role in developing audience proactivity; - is able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of information and communication processes; - is able to approach critically the media system and its audience engagement strategies.

Course contents

The course is structured into two main parts in terms of content:

a) The first part focuses on two thematic areas.
The first concerns the sociological understanding of participation in the context of the socio-cultural processes characteristic of late modernity, as well as within the media environment. The second explores the concept of the audience, examined from a sociological perspective through its various definitions and analytical approaches.

Key topics addressed include:

• Emerging forms of participation — civic, political, and cultural — in light of contemporary socio-cultural processes and within the media context (globalization, individualization, mediatization, and the reconfiguration of the private/public divide);

• Key dimensions for interpreting audiences in the media context: media and identity; media and reflexivity; media and experience;

• Active, productive, diffuse, and connected audiences;

• Participatory cultures, interpretive and practice-based communities;

• Connected citizens and public spheres.

b) The second part of the course delves deeper into participation and the various degrees and modalities of being an audience within multiple communication contexts. This will include the discussion of case studies and research projects.

The following are examples of topics that may be explored (this list may be updated before the start of the course):

• The digital environment and participatory dynamics in public and social communication;

• Civic platforms, e-democracy, and digital activism;

• Audience agency in communication campaigns: gender communication;

• Cultural institutions and the cultural and creative industries: practices and tools for audience analysis and audience engagement.

Readings/Bibliography

First part of the course:

• Boccia Artieri G. (2012), States of Connection. Publics, Citizens, and Consumers in the (Social) Network Society, FrancoAngeli, Milan.

• Dahlgren P. (2013), Reinventing Participation. Civic Agency and the Online World, in Bartoletti R., Faccioli F. (eds.), Communication and Civic Engagement. Media, Public Spaces, and New Participation Processes, FrancoAngeli, Milan, pp. 17–37.

• Chapter 1 from: Paltrinieri R., Allegrini G., Participation, Civic Imagination Processes and the Public Sphere, FrancoAngeli, Milan.

• Additional materials (PowerPoint slides) prepared by the instructor to support and complement the required readings.

Second part of the course:
At the beginning of the course, a list of selected readings (book chapters and articles) will be provided for the second part, which focuses on in-depth thematic exploration and case studies.
Students are advised to check this section for the updated bibliography during the week prior to the start of the course.

Teaching methods

The course includes both traditional lectures and interactive sessions, with frequent opportunities for discussion with students on the topics covered in class.

During the second part of the course, guest speakers and key practitioners will be invited to share their expertise and experiences.

Group work will also be encouraged during class sessions, with a focus on case study analysis.

Assessment methods

For attending students:
The final exam will be oral and will be based on the readings listed in the bibliography for the first part of the course, as well as on the presentation and discussion of a topic of the student’s choice from those covered during the second part of the course.

Students will be required to prepare a PowerPoint or PDF presentation (maximum length: 15 slides).
Further instructions on how to select and prepare the topic and structure the presentation will be provided at the beginning of the course.

For non-attending students:
The final exam will be oral and based on the readings listed in the bibliography for the first part of the course, as well as on a selection of readings related to the second part of the course.
The procedure for composing this reading list will be specified at the beginning of the course (and also on this page).

Assessment criteria:
a) Active participation: for attending students, active participation in class discussions will be positively considered in the final evaluation.
b) Knowledge integration and articulation:

• An excellent evaluation will be given to students who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topics discussed, critical thinking, the ability to connect concepts across the course, and the use of appropriate disciplinary language.

• A good evaluation will reflect accurate and complete knowledge of the course content, solid understanding of the course structure, ability to connect major themes, and appropriate use of disciplinary language.

• A fair evaluation will be assigned when students show a basic, textbook-level understanding, some analytical and summarizing skills, and generally correct but occasionally imprecise use of language.

• A pass-level evaluation will be assigned in cases of limited understanding of course content, knowledge gaps, or inadequate use of language.

• An unsatisfactory evaluation will result from significant gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language, poor orientation within the course materials, and a lack of analytical skills.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by the use of slides and multimedia materials (images, videos, etc.).
The slides shown during lectures will be made available to students via the Virtuale – Learning Environment platform.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Allegrini