28386 - Sociology of Territory and Culture

Academic Year 2019/2020

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts (cod. 0902)

Learning outcomes

The student is expected to learn the basis of sociology. In particular, the student is expect to learn: - the transformation processes in cultural consumption - the systems of social communication and information.

Course contents

This course provides an introduction to the field of Sociology providing a brief history of the development of the discipline and its scope in relationship with other social sciences. After the introductory phase in which the fundamental notion will be provided the course seeks to develop an understanding of the emergence of modern and contemporary spaces of consumptions considered ideal types useful to understand the contemporary western culture.

Consumer culture is an essential trait in the social and cultural landscapes of the world of today. This course investigates how consumption spaces, such as shopping malls, themes parks and digital platforms shape and are shaped by global social and cultural development.

The main notions that will be discussed are related but not limited to:

  • Globalizations
  • Material culture
  • Consumption as a practice
  • Prosumption
  • Shopping malls, themes park and digital platforms
  • Social media and digital platforms
  • Coexistence of physical and digital spaces

Readings/Bibliography

  • J. Mansvelt (2005), Geographies of Consumption, SAGE, London.
  • George Ritzer (2018), The McDonaldization of Society: Into the Digital Age, SAGE, London.

During the lectures will be given mandatory specific teaching materials (book chapters, articles, papers, documents, video). All the references will be available on the University of Bologna online teaching material platform.

Teaching methods

A mix of lectures, seminars, collective discussion, student's presentations, documentaries and films.
Students are expected to be prepared on the assigned readings before each class.
Participation is expected and rewarded.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to verify the achievement of the educational objectives.

Evaluation criteria:

  • Active participation and discussions during lectures
  • Final exam (oral interview upon textbooks)

Students must attend at least 70% of classes.

Grading Scales

From 30L to 29, With honors and commendations = A+

From 28 to 27, Very Good = A

From 26 to 24, Good = B

From 23 to 19, Satisfactory = C

18, Sufficient = D

<18, Fail = F

Teaching tools

PC, projector and multimedia files.

The teaching materials will be available to the students.

All student papers will be verified through the Compilatio.net plagiarism verification system

Office hours

See the website of Piergiorgio Degli Esposti

SDGs

Gender equality Affordable and clean energy Sustainable cities Responsible consumption and production

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.