75408 - Communication Sociology (10 Cfus)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the basic skills and tools required to analyse the various forms of communication present in contemporary social life, and will be able to identify similarities and differences between types and contexts of interaction (face-to-face or at a distance), as well as between unequal opportunities for access to communicative practices

Course contents

The course consists of two parts.

The first part, general, introduces and discusses classic themes and approaches in the sociology of communication, before examining sociological theories relating to the effects and uses of the mass media. Finally, this first part examines certain aspects of communication processes in contemporary societies, characterised by a strong presence of digital technologies, algorithms and artificial intelligence tools.

The second part, monographic, focuses instead on the interplay between communication processes and social change. In particular, it discusses how citizens become key players in processes of social change in the political sphere through the use of digital media. In doing so, the course examines how social movements, protest campaigns and practices of active citizenship intersect with digitalisation and datafication in different parts of the world.

Readings/Bibliography

Reference texts and study materials

Compulsory reading for all students

• 
  
• Collins, R. (1992), Quattro tradizioni sociologiche, Zanichelli. [Capitolo 4]
• Bentivegna, S. e Boccia Artieri, G. (2019), Le teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida digitale, Laterza.
• Airoldi, M. (2024), Machine Habitus. Sociologia degli algoritmi, LUISS University Press.

Additional study materials for attending students

The lectures delivered in class by the lecturer form an integral part of the examination syllabus. During the course, students are encouraged to gradually compile their own lecture notes based on their class notes. These handouts will be assessed in all examination papers and serve as the main reference for the second part of the course.

Additional reading for non-attending students

Non-attending students must, in addition to the compulsory texts listed above, study two volumes to be agreed with the lecturer in good time before the examination session.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 30 classroom-based lectures, which include discussion sessions, practical exercises and revision sessions.

Assessment methods

Assessment and Evaluation of Learning

Attending students

Attendance will be recorded. Students are considered to be attending if they have attended at least 21 out of 30 lectures (70% of the total).

Assessment consists of two components:

1. Mid-term written assessment, at the end of the first part of the course: 3 open-ended questions on the content of lectures 1–15 and the relevant reference texts. Duration: 90 minutes. This accounts for 50% of the final mark.
2. Final oral examination, at the end of the course: an individual interview lasting approximately 15 minutes covering the entire course syllabus. This accounts for 50% of the final mark.

The final mark is the arithmetic mean of the two marks, provided that both assessments are passed (≥ 18/30).

Students who fail the intermediate written assessment have only one opportunity to retake it: a second written assessment, conducted in the same manner, which takes place at the end of the course and before the regular examination session.

Students who fail the resit examination as well must sit the oral examination, as a attending student, covering the entire course syllabus.

Non-attending students

Assessment takes place during the examination session via an individual oral examination lasting approximately 20–25 minutes on the relevant reference texts.

Assessment criteria

Detailed assessment criteria for each assessment will be made available on the course page on Virtuale.

Students with specific learning difficulties (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities

Students with a certified SLD or disability are invited to contact the relevant University office in good time; this office will propose any necessary adjustments to the examination arrangements. Such adjustments must be communicated to the lecturer at least 15 days before the date of the assessment, to allow for their evaluation and approval.

Students on the Erasmus programme and other exchange schemes

Students participating in the Erasmus programme or other exchange schemes are invited to contact the lecturer at the start of the course to agree on the examination arrangements best suited to their situation.

In particular, it is possible to sit the oral examination in English and to agree on a reading list that includes some texts in English, either in place of or in addition to the Italian texts.

Teaching tools

Textbooks, which can be purchased or borrowed from the library. Slides, which will be made available to students after each lesson. Any other additional materials will be made available on Virtuale.

Office hours

See the website of Alice Mattoni