72514 - Sociology of Culture (1)

Learning outcomes

This course includes three key sections. The first section offers an overview of the major concepts and approaches that set apart the sociology of culture, while the second section introduces students to theories and examples regarding contemporary cultural production. The third section will deepen students’ understanding of the body of knowledge acquired in the first part of the course by focusing on readings, examples and case studies related to sociological research on photography.

Course contents

What is culture and why do we talk about it constantly? What does the Minister of Culture deal with, and why does a discipline called cultural anthropology exist? Is school culture "culture" in the same sense that we talk about "cancel culture" or "cultural branding"? Is it possible for the mafia to be or have "culture" and why do those who fight it promote the "culture of legality"? Do influencers create culture? And again: who decides that a film or a song has cultural value and what are the consequences of this decision? But above all, is it possible to live "from culture" when we know it's impossible to live without culture?

It's questions like these that keep a sociology of culture course constantly relevant for those studying communication. Because if culture is everywhere, not everything is culture, and above all, not everyone has the same idea of culture and not everyone talks about culture and cultural things in the same way.

In this course, we will therefore investigate the different meanings of the term "culture," we will see how sociology offers important tools for the analysis of culture in its various forms (cultural creativity, cultural industry, consumption of culture, circulation of cultural objects, cultural conflict, cultural branding), and we will put some of these tools to the test by focusing on examples drawn from the recent history of Western societies, and beyond.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities should contact the appropriate University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) immediately and agree with the teacher the most effective strategies for attending the lectures and preparing for the exam.

Readings/Bibliography

Textbook (required)

M. Santoro e B. Grüning, Cultura e società: concetti, modelli, questioni, Roma, Carocci 2024.

One of your choice (required)

E. Hund, L’industria degli influencer, La ricerca dell'autenticità sui social media, Torino, Einaudi 2024

F. Furedi, La guerra contro il passato. Cancel culture e memoria storica, Roma, Fazi 2025.

D.B. Holt, Cultural branding. Come i brand diventano icone, Roma, Luiss UP 2023.

P. Bourdieu, Imperialismi. Circolazione internazionale delle idee e lotte per l’universale, Macerata, Quodlibet 2025.

In class, for the history of the concept, or rather, the concepts, of culture, we'll refer to:

M. Santoro, Cosa è cultura, Bologna, il Mulino 2023

(available online on AlmaRE - Biblioteca delle Risorse Elettroniche dell'Ateneo di Bologna biblioteca Unibo)

This is not required for the exam

Teaching methods

Lectures with in-class research simulations and seminar discussion sessions.

One of the objectives of the course is indeed to share knowledge, reflections, and research paths (on the text, starting from the text, against the text) in the critical and participatory pedagogical spirit characteristic of Cultural Studies.

Assessment methods

Oral Exam

The oral exam will typically consist of three questions covering topics from the course and, in any case, from the required readings.

Students with specific learning disorders (SLD) or temporary/permanent disabilities should contact the appropriate University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) in advance. The office will be responsible for proposing adaptations to interested students. Such adaptations must be submitted to the teacher for approval at least 15 days before the exam session. The teacher will also evaluate the adaptations regarding the training objectives of teaching.

Teaching tools

• Auxiliary material in PDF format: This will be uploaded to the course's online platform.

• Supporting videos.

• Course slides: These will be made available at the conclusion of the lectures.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Santoro