90413 - Communication and Mediation Processes of Information

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide a historical-sociological approach to the relationship between institutions and information practices in their insertion in social contexts and in the imaginary. At the end of the course, students will be able to understand the communication processes built from the social need for information and the related requests. Students will be able to establish relationships between theories, techniques and professional practices, through the presentation of communication experiences such as mediation and information reception in different socio-historical contexts.

Course contents

Concept of Mediation/Definitions
Culture as an object of study of Mediations
Cultural Heritage - development of a concept
Dynamic perspective of Mediation
Functions of Culture
Information Society
Mediation and social appropriation of information
Cultural practices and political actions.
ICTs, Mediation, Criticism and Cultural Curatorship
Mediation Practices: Modes of Reading
Mediation Practices: Art
Mediation Examples

Readings/Bibliography

GRISWOLD, Wendy. Sociologia della cultura. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2019

SOLIMINE, Giovanni e ZANCHINI, Giorgio. La cultura orizzontale. Bari: Laterza, 2020

CANCLINI, Nestor G. Culture Ibride – Strategie per entrare e uscire dalla modernità. Milano: Guerini, 2000.

For students attending 1 text to choose from:

MARTEL, Frédéric. Smart: inchiesta sulle reti. Milano, Feltrinelli, 2015.

TILDEN, Freeman. Interpretare il nostro patrimonio. Novara: Libreria geografica, 2019.

Non-attending students are required to read both texts. (MARTEL/TILDEN)

Further readings will be inserted in Virtuale

Teaching methods

Lectures; Discussions and discussions with consolidation material provided during the course.

Assessment methods

The test consists of an oral interview to assess the knowledge of the topics discussed during the lessons (for those attending) and of the bibliography indicated, and the critical and methodological skills acquired by the student. The following will be assessed: mastery of the contents, ability to synthesise and analyse themes and concepts, ability to express oneself adequately and in language appropriate to the subject matter. The final grade will be based on the overall assessment.
The exam will begin with a presentation of a topic of your choice from those covered, and the exam will continue with at least two further questions set by the teacher.
Two different assessment parameters will be adopted, for attending students and for non-frequenting students.

Attending students
Attendance will influence the final grade by 30%.
In particular, the student's ability to take an active part in the lessons will be assessed; these abilities, added to the achievement of a thorough understanding of the subject matter covered in the lessons, with the demonstration of a critical sense and with adequate means of verbal expression, will be evaluated with the maximum marks excellent = A (27-30 with honours).
Attendance, combined with a predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject matter of the course and verbal expression and logical skills that are not fully satisfactory, will be assessed with marks between good (B = 24-26) and satisfactory (C = 21-23).
Attendance combined with minimal acquisition of the course subject matter and inadequate verbal expression and logical ability will be scored sufficient (D = 18-20).
The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical ability will be assessed as insufficient (E), even if attendance is good.

Non-frequenting students
Non-frequenting students will be assessed mainly on the ability to use the bibliography indicated to expound appropriately on the course content. Demonstration of critical thinking and appropriate means of verbal expression will be assessed with the maximum marks excellent = A (27-30 with distinction).
A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course material, with verbal expression and logical skills not fully satisfactory, will be assessed with marks between good (B = 24-26) and satisfactory (C = 21-23).
A minimal acquisition of the course subject matter, with inadequate verbal expression and logical ability, will be assessed with a score of sufficient (D = 18-20).
The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical ability will be assessed with an insufficient score (E).

Teaching tools

Illustrative and in-depth Power Points; Audiovisual materials available on the Internet.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Crippa