07297 - Sociology of Communication

Learning outcomes

The course studies the main issues of the sociology of communication, from interpersonal communication to mass media, with particular reference to the symbolic dynamics that can be found in the representations of the socio-political fenomena. At the end of the course, the student has learnt the fundamental theoretical and methodological tools for analysing and interpreting the communication processes in contemporary society

Course contents

The course is arranged in three modules dedicated to: 1) the sociology of mass media; 2) the relations between communication and power in the internet society; 3) the role of credibility in communicative relationships. The main topics dealt with in the three modules will be the following: 1) Bullet theory; functionalist sociology of the media; social effects of the media; uses and gratifications approach; media and social control; the Frankfurt School; dialogue theory; media and social consciousness: cultural studies; active audiences; innovation, globalization and new styles of media consumption; 2) credibility and trust in communicative relationships; the social circulation of credibility; credibility risks and pathologies; 3) communication in the digital era; media politics, scandal politics, crisis in democracy; social movements, insurgent politics and new public space. At the end of the course the student is expected to be able: to understand analytically and critically the specific contribution of writers and schools in the sociology of mass media; to compare the contribution of writers and schools on specific questions; to understand the principal emerging questions on the issue of the relationship between communication and power in the internet society; to critically evaluate the role of credibility in mediated communicative relationships.

 

Readings/Bibliography

All students will study: (1) P. Scannell, Media e comunicazione, il Mulino, Bologna, 2009. (2)  G. Gili, Il problema della manipolazione. Peccato originale dei media?, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2010.  
(3) M. Castells, Comunicazione e potere, Università Bocconi Editore, Milano, 2009. 

Attending students will study:  (4) "New Media and Society"; "Journal of Communication"; "European Journal of Communication"; "Media, Culture & Society".

Non attending students will study:
(5)  F. Colombo, Il potere socievole. Storia e critica dei social media, Carocci, 2013.

Teaching methods

Face-to-face lessons

Assessment methods

The examination will be in written form  

Attending students

During the course there are two  mid term written tests (1)(2)(3). Each mid term written tests has 8 questions with open answers: the student has 90 minutes of time in which to answer. The mark will be given out of thirty points. The examination tests are intended to assess knowledge and skill acquired by the student on the sociology of the mass media, on the relationship between communication and power in the internet society, on the role of credibility in communicative relationships.  

Non-attending students

Those who are not present at  mid term written tests carry out a written exam (on the dates of the examination session) in which the student shall answer 16 questions (on texts 1, 2, 3) in 120 minutes. The examination tests are intended to assess knowledge and skill acquired by the student on the sociology of the mass media, on the relationship between communication and power in the internet society, on the role of credibility in communicative relationships.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Terenzi