72514 - Sociology of Culture (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student: has basic knowledge about the social changes in terms of changes in values and models of life, which impact on the methods of production and reception of culture; develops theoretical skills to facilitate the sociological reading of these phenomena, through interpretative and explanatory schemes typical of sociological research; knows how to analyze cultural trends and the way in which they impact on social processes; knows how to place cultural dimensions in the context of social morphogenesis that affects the various areas of society: from those concerning socialization agencies to those concerning the worlds of local communities, work, civic and political participation, the various types of social, economic and political organizations, to define the different forms in which cultural participation is embodied.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two parts. The first aims to introduce students to the acquisition of basic conceptual and theoretical tools. Thus, in this first part of the course, the Sociology of Culture is introduced from a theoretical perspective, starting with the classics. The relationship between things, norms, values, beliefs and symbols will be considered in order to explore the concept of culture and the nature of its links with the social world.
In the second in-depth thematic/seminar part, cultural analysis will be explored by getting to the heart of understanding the relationships between the system of culture, institutions, practices and cultural processes. Three main thematic areas will be addressed within the framework of "social value of culture" and cultural participation:
(a) "Festivals and territories: social value of culture and sustainability."
(b) "Performing arts, imaginaries, subjectivities, bodies and community."
(c) "Cultural welfare, practices and places of culture."

Readings/Bibliography

First institutional part of the course, mandatory bibliography valid for attending and non attendono students:
1) W. Griswold, Sociology of Culture, il Mulino, Bologna, 2005. NO chapters 6; chapter 7 only paragraphs 3 and 4.
2) Material prepared by the lecturer (ppt) and uploaded virtually to support and supplement the above text

Second part of in-depth thematic/seminar study.

Attendees
1) Introduction to the topic of the social value of culture: chapters 1 and 4 of the book Paltrinieri R. ed, (2022) Il valore sociale della cultura, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2022;

2) ppt material uploaded by the lecturer for support and supplementation, including references to case studies.

3) one of the following thematic path of your choice with the indicated bibliography or other chapters/articles of your personal choice (2 in total)

a) Thematic area "Festivals and territories: social value of culture and sustainability". Chapters 2 or  6 of the book R. Paltrinieri (ed.), Il valore sociale della cultura, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2022; Allegrini G., Alonzo G., Paltrinieri R. (2023), I Festival cinematografici come dispositivi di crescita del benessere, Sociologia della comunicazione n.65;

(b) Thematic area "Performing arts, imaginaries, subjectivities, bodies and communities":  D'Amico F.D. The performance of subjectivity between scene and gender studies, Gender Studies Series. Quaderni di Donne & Ricerca. Vol 1; or Surace V., "Judith Butler and the performative character of power," Im@go, Journal of Social Imaginary Number 14 - Year VIII / December 2019 pp. 248-270;chapter 1 "Politica dei corpi" e 2 " Corpi e soggetti" di Ghigi, Sassatelli.

(c) Thematic area "Cultural Welfare, Cultural Practices and Places." Chapters 7 and 8 of the book R. Paltrinieri (ed.), The social value of culture, FrancoAngeli, Milan, 2022; part 3 chapter 3 "In between. Situated reflections on participatory practices of cultural heritage mediation, by Pecci A. in De Biase F., Re-mediating, FrancoAngeli, Milan or Rossi Ghiglione, "Art, well-being and participation. Theater as a meta-model of cultural participation, in De Biase F. I Pubblici della Cultura,FrancoAngeli, Milan

NON-attenders
1) the whole book R. Paltrinieri (ed.) (2022), The social value of culture, FrancoAngeli, Milan;
2) ppt material uploaded by the lecturer for support and integration
2) Two articles of your choice from the made available online

 

Teaching methods

Students will be invited to active and critical participation. The second module will have a seminar format, aimed at deepening certain themes, including by inviting experts and referents of significant experiences.

Assessment methods

Classroom discussions during the course (particularly during the second module) will provide an initial opportunity for evaluation.
The final examination consists of an oral exam and will cover.

For those attending:
On the texts and materials indicated in the bibliography related to the first institutional part and on the presentation of a thematic area of your choice from those indicated above. The structure of the presentation will be presented in the first lecture of the course, and should emphasize not simply what is set forth in the texts studied, but own critical reflections, thematic connections and with the case studies covered in the lectures. A ppt presentation may be used at the students' discretion.

For non-attending students:
On the texts and materials indicated in the bibliography related to the first institutional part and the thematic/seminar part.

Assessment:

- It will produce excellent valuations: the ability to deepen and critically address the topics covered during the course and ability to put into connection with each other the main issues addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect the specificity 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

The slides used in class will be made available to students through the Virtual platform - LearningEnvironment, as well as further useful contributions to the discussion of the topics addressed in the second part.

Office hours

See the website of Giulia Allegrini