SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURAL AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: ANNA MARIA LEONORA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of the main sociological theories and analytical categories of cultural phenomena also useful to a reflection of closer relations between educational processes and companies .

Development methodological and analytical skills required for understanding the dynamics of socialization and cultural transmission and detection of training needs.

Course Structure

The course will provides (in variable number depending on the needs) lectures, lessons-laboratory and tests (optional but recommended) in itinere (one for each module of the program). The examination programme in itinere is organized in the form of test consisting of 30 questions on topics contained in texts with multiple response option of which only one is correct. The in itinere test can be supported by all the members, even those not attending the lecture course as long as they communicate their intentions to the teacher in good time: this for logistical and organizational reasons. The result is in 30ths and is for an academic year. The result is communicated to each student individually during the oral examination and integrated by a verification of the tests themselves and by a conversation about one of the topics covered in the tests in progress (if supported). Special needs, with respect to the program or the carrying out of the examination and verification tests, must be communicated and agreed personally with the teacher on the days of receipt 
Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

Good understanding of Italian. Good knowledge of the basics of modern and contemporary history. Basic elements of art history and contemporary art.

Attendance of Lessons

Optional but recommended for a better understanding of the basic themes and concepts that constitute the subject matter of the discipline. Should the course be taught in a blended or distance mode, the necessary variations may be introduced with respect to what has been previously stated, in order to respect the syllabus set out and reported in the syllabus.

Detailed Course Content

Basic topics: - Introduction to the discipline; Object, method, objectives of research in sociology of cultural processes; Concepts, dimensions, theories and approaches to cultural processes.

Monographic topics: Authors and themes of the first Italian sociology for cultural processes; Authors and contemporary themes for communicative dynamics.

Textbook Information

L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna, pp. 7-275

G. Lombroso (a cura di M. Nocenzi), La donna nella società attuale MIMESIS, Milano-Udine, 2015 (pp. 9-63); 

M. McLuhanLa sposa meccanica, Sugarco, Milano, 1996 (pp. 7-300)

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Introduzione e nascita del concetto scientifico di cultura (pp. 7-47)L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna
2Dimensioni e componenti della cultura (pp. 49-75)L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna
3Natura, cultura, società e La differenziazione culturale nelle società moderne (pp. 77-151)L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna
4Società e cultura: come la società influenza la cultura (pp. 154-201)L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna
5Cultura e società: come la cultura influenza l'azione sociale (pp. 204-230)L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna
6I processi di trasmissione, conservazione e cambiamento culturale (pp. 232-275)L. Sciolla, Sociologia dei processi culturali, il Mulino, Bologna
7I processi di comunicazione e le dinamiche di mutamento socialeM. McLuhan, La sposa meccanica, Sugarco, Milano, 1996
8Questioni di genere: la condizione della donna nella società contemporaneaG. Lombroso (a cura di M. Nocenzi), La donna nella società attuale MIMESIS, Milano-Udine, 2015 (pp. 9-63);

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The examination consists of an argued conversation on the themes and contents of the reference programme and on the outcome (if accepted and if not less than 18/30) of the in itinere tests eventually taken.

For the monographic part, the examination delves into selected topics rendered by the student in a critical and timely manner.

 Each examination is completed within the roll-call date according to the examination schedule communicated in good time by the lecturer at least one day before the roll-call date. 

Those wishing to take the examinations must register on the online booking list, which is closed 5 days before the date of the appeal. Students from previous years may bring either the current syllabus or that of their own year. If students have different requirements, they must agree on a suitable solution with the lecturer after consultation with the teaching secretary.

Verification of learning may also be carried out electronically, should conditions require it.

Grading criteria:

  • Adequacy of expression with regard to content and method
  • Ability to rework knowledge
  • Systematicity of treatment
  • Breadth of thematic awareness and lexical correctness
  • Capacity for critical investigation
  • Ability to make interdisciplinary connections
  • Ability to transfer theoretical knowledge to operational contexts

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Example for a monographic text: 'present the historical figure and academic contribution of the author'.