09660 - Sociology of Culture (O-Z)

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide an analytical and comparative definition of cultural sociology, offering the student the learning and use of a specific interpretation model, applied (and applicable) to the analysis of cultural objects. At the end of the course the student will be able to: - clearly distinguish between sociologies of culture and cultural sociology; - analyze and understand social phenomenologies as "cultural objects"; - apply a cultural analysis model to different social processes and structures.

Course contents

The course introduces the issues of the relationship between modern society and mass media, with particular attention to the consequences on the public sphere and on the production of identity through social media.

The course is divided into two parts.

1) from September until October 22nd there will be lessons on the first two exam texts.

2) The intermediate test will be held on October 23rd

3) We will then continue with the presentation of the third exam text.

Readings/Bibliography

1.Niklas Luhmann, La realtà dei mass media, Milano, FrancoAngeli (ultima edizione).

2. Jurgen Habermas, Un nuovo mutamento di struttura della sfera pubblica politica, p. 3- 71, in J.Habermas, Nuovo mutamento della sfera pubblica e politica deliberativa, Raffaello Cortina Editore, Milano, 2023.

3. Hans-Georg Moeller, Paul J. D'Ambrosio, Il tuo profilo e te. L'identità dopo l'autenticità, Mialno-Udine, Mimesis, 2022.

Teaching methods

The teacher will present the contents of the texts to be studied, stimulating the critical participation of the students also through moments of joint work.

Assessment methods

The course is assessed differently, but appropriately, for those attending and those not attending

1) THOSE WHO DO NOT ATTEND will take a written test in person.

The written test will last 1 hour and 30 minutes and will focus on 10 open questions regarding the contents of the textbooks.

2) For thoshe who do ATTEND.

1) they will carry out an INTERMEDIATE TEST at the end of October on the first text (n. 1) by N. Luhmann and on the essay (n.2) by J. Habermas. The written and in-person test will last 1 hour and will focus on 6 open questions.

2) they will take the second part of the exam, written and in person, in the January-February and March sessions. The paper will focus on the third exam text (Moeller and D'ambrosio), will last 45 minutes and will focus on 4 open questions.

Anyone who does not take the second part of the exam by March must retake the exam like non-attending students.

 

All written tests will be assessed as follows:

The purpose of the written test is investigating the students’ ability to apply the notions and knowledge which she has learned, and to make the necessary logical-deductive links. The decision of the final grade takes place on the basis of the following criteria:

Grading of final mark:

• Competence in a very limited number of topics discussed in the course and/or textbooks, limited ability to analyze the topics, overall correct language: grade 18-19;
• Competence in a limited number of topics discussed in the course and/or textbooks, sufficient ability to analyze the topics, correct language: grade 20-24;
• Competence on a large number of topics discussed in the course and/or textbooks, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology: grade 25-29
• Comprehensive competence in the topics discussed in the course and/or textbooks, ability to make autonomous choices of critical analysis and ability to make connections, full command of the specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect: grade 30-30 L.

Teaching tools

In this course no slides, power points, or anything else are produced. It is based on class attendance and the study of texts.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Prandini