SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURAL AND COMMUNICATIVE PROCESSES

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: GUIDO NICOLOSI

Expected Learning Outcomes

To show to be able to understand the relationships between education and society: the way in which school systems influence society (and viceversa from a diachronic and synchronic point of view. The main focus will be the analysis of educational institutions and communication processes and tools understood as key dimensions to mitigate or amplify social inequalities and to favor or limit the development of children's cognitive abilities

To show making judgement and communication skills

Course Structure

Face-to-face lectures 

Required Prerequisites

No requirement

Attendance of Lessons

Not compulsory

Detailed Course Content

  • Socialization processes;
  • Socialization agencies;
  • Media;
  • Educational institutions;
  • Sociological theories on educational processes (Durkheim, Mannheim; Bourdieu, etc.)
  • "Media Education";
  • Analysis and criticism of "meritocracy";
  • School and digital technologies.

Textbook Information

Ribolzi Luisa, Crescere nella società, Milano, Mondadori;
Rivoltella Pier Cesare, Media education, Brescia, Scholé;
Barone Carlo, Le trappole della meritocrazia, Bologna, Il Mulino,
Gui Marco, Il digitale a scuola. Rivoluzione o abbaglio?, Bologna, Il Mulino.


Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Socialization processes; • Socialization agencies; •  Media; • Educational  institutions; • Sociological theories on educational processes (Durkheim, Mannheim; Bourdieu, etc.)Ribolzi Luisa, Crescere nella società, Milano, Mondadori, p. 14-173.
2• Analysis and criticism of "meritocracy";Barone Carlo, Le trappole della meritocrazia, Bologna, Il Mulino, p. 9-127.
3Media educationRivoltella Pier Cesare, Media Education, Brescia, Scholé, p. 9-25; Bentivegna, Sara, Teorie delle comunicazioni di massa, Bari, Laterza, pag. 10-14; 20-52; 60-67; 76-81; 85-112; 128-138. 
4School and digital technologiesGui Marco, Il digitale a scuola. Rivoluzione o abbaglio? Bologna, Il Mulino, p. 21-163.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral exams + mid-term evaluation

Evaluation criteria:

- ability to present, argue and summarize the constructs covered with clear, appropriate language and referring to precise theoretical references;

- completeness in the theoretical contents acquired;

- critical reworking of the contents

- commitment to independent study.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

  • Socialization processes;
  • Socialization agencies;
  • Media;
  • Educational institutions;
  • Sociological theories on educational processes (Durkheim, Mannheim; Bourdieu, etc.)
  • "Media Education";
  • Analysis and criticism of "meritocracy";
  • School and digital technologies.