2019/2020

2020/2021

DM270

SPS/08 (SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION)

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

COMMUNICATION, INNOVATION, MULTIMEDIA

PERCORSO COMUNE

2°

(01/03/2021 - 28/05/2021)

6

36 lesson hours

Italian

ORAL TEST

CALIANDRO ALESSANDRO (titolare) - 6 ECTS

It is assumed that students have a broad understanding of the main sociological and communication theories.

By the end of this Laboratory students will be able to:

• Understand the strategic importance of digital technologies within contemporary communicative and cultural processes;
• Understand the connection between logics of digital media and logics of consumption;
• Use sociological theories to critically analyse the contemporary processes of digital communication;
• Identify the main opportunities and challenges posed by digital media;
• Critically evaluate the impact of digital media on contemporary society and culture.

Digital technologies are pivotal within contemporary communication and cultural processes. The Laboratory in Communication and Cultural Studies aims at exposing students to a range of concepts and theories useful to critically understand the complexity of cultural processes in the digital era. In particular, the course will focus on consumer culture, which logics shape the functioning of the main digital platforms (Google, Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, Amazon, etc.).


The Laboratory will also host presentations by practitioners from digital media companies. The aim is to show students how theories covered during the frontal lessons can be translated into actual marketing, business and management strategies.

The Laboratory will cover, mainly, the following topics: digital affordances, social media, big data, algorithms, virality, meme culture, digital identity, social media influencers, brand communities, brand publics.

The course will be delivered using a mix of frontal lessons, examples, e-learning activities, practical exercises, collective discussions and group works. The Laboratory will host presentations by practitioners from digital media companies.

Bibliography for those attending lectures: readings and learning materials provided by the Teacher during the lectures.


Bibliography for those not attending lectures: to be agreed with the Teacher.

Written/Oral Examination

The exam for attending students includes two components: group work + multiple choice test.

Non-Attending students will do an oral examination.