07297 - Sociology of Communication

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student: - will have a basic knowledge of the sociology of communication in its evolution, - knows the main forms and communication functions, as well as the most important theories / schools / research in communications, - have critical knowledge of the phenomena related to communication and media, - knows how to apply the empirical tools of analysis of the communication processes in contemporary society

Course contents

The class aims to describe and analyze the main sociological theories upon the following topics:

1. contemporary society and globalization;

2. the sociology of the media;

3. media and socialization;

4. communication and meta communication;

5. production, consumption, prosumerism;

6. sociology of digital media;

7. Social Media and Big Data;

8. Actor Network Theory.

A printed detailed syllabus will be provided to students the first day of class.

Readings/Bibliography

M. Castells, Comunicazione e potere, Università Bocconi Editore, Milano, 2009.

P. Degli Esposti, Essere prosumer nella società digitale. Produzione e consumo tra atomi e bit, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2015.

L. Rainie, B. Wellman, Networked, Il nuovo sistema operativo sociale, Guerini Associati, Milano, 2013.

(Castells or Rainie & Wellman book may be substituted up to the will of the student with: Nick Couldry, Media, Society, World: Social Theory and Digital Media Practice, Polity press, London, 2012)

During the course it will be distributed readings materials in addition to the required texts

Teaching methods

Lectures
Students are expected to be prepared on the assigned readings before each class
Participation is expected and rewarded.

Assessment methods

Midterm exam will be planned during classes
At least three written papers will be requested to each student during the semester
The final exam aims to assess the achievement of learning objectives
No Make up exams

Teaching tools

Teaching materials: the didactic material presented in class will be made available to the student in electronic format. Such material should be printed and brought to class. Log in: http://campus.unibo.it/ Username and password are reserved for students enrolled at the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Piergiorgio Degli Esposti