85034 - Sociology of Communication (A-L)

Learning outcomes

Students learn tools to observe the contemporary complexity of the public space of communication, since it includes many forms, channels and sources of information, but also unequal opportunities to access and to practice them.

Course contents

The course is structured in two complementary parts.

The first part introduces the fundamental concepts and tools necessary to understand communication, from a sociological perspective, both as a process and as a set of social practices. The following key topics will be addressed:

• Communication as a process and as social practices

• The actors involved in communication and their objectives

• Communication as a symbolic process: between symbols and reality

• Communication between understanding and interpretation

• Social functions and uses of communication

The second part of the course focuses on the processes of codification, comprehension, and interpretation of signs and messages. Particular attention will be given to major theories of mass communication, as well as to the dynamics shaping public opinion and the public sphere.

In-depth analysis will include:

• The mediatization of reality, between media production and consumption

• The role of the media and media representations in constructing social problems, with a particular focus on environmental issues and migration

• Hate speech and inclusive language

Readings/Bibliography

First part of the course:
G. Boccia Artieri, F. Colombo, G. Gili, Comunicare. Persone, relazioni, media, Laterza, Bari, 2022 (excluding chapters 5 and 6).
Slides uploaded to the Virtuale platform will accompany the textbook, providing additional explanations and insights.

Second part of the course:
a) S. Bentivegna, G. Boccia Artieri, Teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida del digitale, Laterza, Bari, 2019
(excluding chapters 5, 11, and 12; from chapter 7, only paragraph 7.5; from chapter 8, excluding paragraph 8.4; chapter 10 will be covered only through a summary available in the slides).

b) A list of selected chapters and articles will be uploaded to the Virtuale platform at the beginning of the course. These materials will cover three main areas of in-depth study:

• Media and climate change

• Media and migration

• Hate speech and inclusive language

Please note: the reading list may be subject to change. A complete and updated bibliography will be presented at the beginning of the course, aligned with the course structure and the assessment methods.

Teaching methods

The course will combine traditional lectures with interactive teaching methods. Audiovisual materials (such as films and videos) will be used throughout, and students will be regularly invited to participate in discussions on the topics presented in class.

In the second part of the course, contributions from experts and relevant witnesses will also be included to provide further insights and real-world perspectives.

Assessment methods

For attending students, the final exam consists of two parts:

• A written midterm exam at the end of the first module, covering the topics discussed in the first part of the course. The exam will be based on the textbook G. Boccia Artieri, F. Colombo, G. Gili, Comunicare. Persone, relazioni, media, Laterza, Bari, 2022, and on the lecture slides provided by the instructor. Further details about the written exam will be communicated at the beginning of the course.

• A second written exam at the end of the course. This exam will be based on S. Bentivegna, G. Boccia Artieri, Teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida del digitale, Laterza, Bari, 2019.

• An oral exam focusing only on  the topics covered in the second part of the course. This exam will be based on a self-selected topic, to be prepared using two chapters or articles chosen from the supplementary materials uploaded on the Virtuale platform. These may be from different books or sources.

Midterm exams (optional) are designed as a pathway throughout the semester. To be considered valid, both midterms must be completed within the same academic year and during the scheduled exam sessions.

 Students who do not take the midterms will be required to sit a written exam covering the entire syllabus, followed by an oral examination on a topic of their choice.

Several exam sessions will be available for the full written exam, along with the corresponding oral component required to complete the assessment.

The final grade will be determined by the written exam score (in the case of midterms, this will be the weighted average of the two scores) combined with the evaluation of the oral examination. The oral exam may confirm or improve the written grade, depending on the clarity and quality of the student’s presentation (good, very good, or excellent).

The written exam grade (whether obtained through midterms or the full exam) must be completed with the oral examination within the exam sessions of the same academic year in which the written exam was taken (for the current academic year, up to and including the January 2027 session).

The final grade will be officially recorded upon completion of all required components, during the last oral exam session attended within the available exam periods.

Evaluation Criteria

Assessment will be based on:

a) Active participation (for attending students), which will be positively considered in the final evaluation.

b) Ability to articulate knowledge, in particular:

• Excellent grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an integrated understanding of the topics, critical thinking, the ability to make connections among themes, and mastery of the subject-specific terminology.

• Good grades will reflect a complete and accurate knowledge of the course content, the ability to navigate and connect key themes, and appropriate use of academic language.

• Fair grades will be assigned to students with a basic knowledge of the material, limited analytical skills, and/or correct but not always precise language use.

• Sufficient grades will be given to those with significant knowledge gaps, limited understanding, or inadequate language, but who meet the minimum requirements.

• Failing grades will result from serious knowledge deficiencies, improper use of language, lack of orientation within the course framework, and inability to analyze or discuss key topics.

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 audiovisual materials.
The slides presented during class will be made available through the Virtuale – Learning Environment platform.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Allegrini