45182 - Visual Sociology

Learning outcomes

The course is aimed to analyse the relationship between the sociological knowledge and the visual communication, considering the role of the images in  the contemporary social scenario. Particularly, the aim is to focus the crucial role of the images (either as data or tools) in the social research theory and practice. The students are expected to achieve the ability to decode the visual dimensions of social reality and to use the images as research tools.

Course contents

The course will explore three topics. 1. "Seeing", that means the analysis of the role of sight and glance in the construction of the meanings and social organisation; 2. "Visualizing" and "Communicating with images", that is the study of the way in which images are used to communicate information, manage relationships and make visible the social differences; 3. "Doing sociology visually" (including both sociology "on" images and sociology "with" images), referring to the way in which the images can be used to empirically study social and cultural process.

Readings/Bibliography

1) Mirzoeff N., Introduzione alla cultura visuale, Meltemi, Roma, 2002.
2) Faccioli P. and Losacco G., Nuovo manuale di sociologia visuale: dall'analogico al digitale, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2010.

In addition, a review on one of the following books:

Altin R., L'dentità mediata, Forum, Udine 2004.

Chalfen R., Sorrida, prego! La costruzione visuale della vita quotidiana, FrancoAngeli, Milano 1997.

Faccioli P. e Gibbons J. (eds.), Framing Globalization: Visual Perspectives, Cambridge Scholars Pu. New Castle, 2007.

Faccioli P. e Losacco G., Identità in movimento. Percorsi tra le dimensioni visuali della globalizzazione, FracoAngeli, Milano, 2008

Harper D., Good Company. Un sociologo tra i vagabondi, FrancoAngeli, Milano 1999.

Harper D. e Faccioli P., The Italian Way. Food and social life, University of Chicago Press, 2009.

Losacco G., Wop o Mangiacake,. Consumi e identità etnica: la negoziazione dell'italianità a Toronto, FrancoAngeli, Milano 2003

 

Teaching methods

The teacher will lead all the course, with the support of images and videos.

Assessment methods

For the students frequenting the class there will be two mid-terms written examination, on Mirzoeff's text  and on  Nuovo Manuale di Sociologia Visuale .During the exam we'll discute about the third text.  For not frequenters students the exam will be oral on  the three texts

Teaching tools

Overhead projector, video recorder, PC

Office hours

See the website of Patrizia Faccioli