09660 - Sociology of Culture (A-E)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide an analytical and comparative definition of cultural sociology, proposing to the student the learning and use of a specific model of interpretation, applied (and applicable) to the analysis of cultural objects. At the end of the course the student will be able to: - to clearly distinguish between sociologies of culture and cultural sociology; - to analyse and understand social phenomena such as "cultural objects"; - to apply a model of cultural analysis to different social processes and structures.

Course contents

The aim of the course is to provide students with the main theoretical and methodological tools for research and critical analysis in the field of Sociology of Culture.

The first part of the course will propose a general framework on the main theories on sociology of culture. More specifically, in order to explore the concept of culture and the nature of its links with the social world in a global perspective, it will be considered the relationship between things, norms, values, beliefs and symbols.

Focusing on the classical theories in the light of the contemporary digital revolution, the course
addresses the main transformations concerning the power of the media in the processes of construction of social reality, reading. It invites students to critically answer to the following questions: Do the mass media manipulate public opinion? In what ways media influence our perceptions of reality? Are we witnessing the construction of new forms of propaganda with the switchover to digital? How to investigate contemporary phenomena such as fake news, echo chambers or the polarization of online audiences?

Finally, moving from this theoretical and methodological framework, the course will explore how the media contribute at framing contemporary borders, defining the status of migrants and refugees, while influencing our sense of responsibility towards them.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Wendy Griswold, Sociologia della cultura, il Mulino, 2005.
2. Sara Bentivegna, Giovanni Boccia Artieri, Le teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida digitale, Laterza, 2019.
3. Musarò Pierluigi, Parmiggiani Paola, Taxi o ambulanze del mare? Politiche dell’immagine nella crisi dei migranti nel Mediterraneo, in «Problemi dell'Informazione», 1/2018, pp. 87-113, scaricabile su questo sito https://www.rivisteweb.it/doi/10.1445/89617

Teaching methods

Lectures including moments of discussion and comparison with students.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral exam on the texts indicated in the exam bibliography.

For students who attended the lectures two partial written tests are planned:
- an intermediate written test, at the end of October, on the programme carried out in the first part of the lessons;
- a final written test, at the end of the lessons, on the second part of the programme.

Assessment scale

It will produce excellent valuations: the ability to deepen and put into connection with each other the main issues addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with the specific nature of the discipline.

It will produce discrete valuations: mnemonic knowledge of contents and partial ability to link the themes covered; the use of appropriate language.

It will produce sufficient valuations: a minimal body of knowledge on the topics covered; the use of inappropriate language.

It will produce negative valuations: lack of guidance within the themes addressed in the exam readings and training gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Teaching tools

Slides projected in class and made available to students through the platform IOL- Teaching materials.

This course includes a teaching tutor wich students can contact by e-mail or by going to office hour. The teaching tutor gives information on the program, on specific content of the training activities of the course and on the exam.

Office hours

See the website of Paola Parmiggiani