The course aims at: a) providing good knowledge of the main aspects and problems of the sociology of communication and of the relations between media and democracy; b) providing adequate knowledge of the digital ecosystems; c) providing basic skills to study the relationships among communication, artificial intelligence, platforms, and digital capitalism; d) providing a basic knowledge of the theoretical and technical tools of digital democracy.

Dublin’s descriptors Students must achieve: 1. Knowledge and understanding: of the forms and languages ​​of the media through the acquisition of theoretical skills on sociological models with particular attention to the participatory forms and to the relationships between media and power. 1.1. Students achieve this basic knowledge through the class attendance and the study of the texts discussed in the classroom. 2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: through the ability to analyse media products by applying the main analytical methods. 2.1. Skills acquired through workshops in the classroom. 3. Judgment skills: a critical reflection on the evolutionary dynamics of the relationships between media technologies and society and on the ongoing transformations of communication and the public sphere. 3.1. This ability must be applied in the classroom discussion with the teacher and colleagues, during the exercises and in the preparation of the final exam. 4. Communication skills: students are called to interact in the classroom through questions, exchanges with classmates, drafting short presentations during the exercise. 4.1. Skills that are practised in the classroom with the organization of moments of discussion and exercise. 5. Learning skills: students are asked to adopt a critical learning method capable of connecting theoretical skills and empirical analysis, orienting themselves to the specification of autonomous thought. 5.1. Skills to be strengthened thanks to the argumentation with the teacher and with the classmates.

The course covers the main topics of the sociology of communication, tracing the social history of the media and the major theoretical traditions (critical theory, functionalism, cultural studies, theories of practice). It examines models of communication and the effects of media on society, both in the short and long term. It explores the transition towards platformisation and digital capitalism, the relationships between media, the public sphere and politics, the dynamics of information disorder, and the role of algorithms and artificial intelligence in contemporary communication. Particular attention is given to media ecology, creative participation and perspectives on AI governance.

Textbook: Sociologia dei Media, by Riva, Stella, Ciofalo, Degli Esposti (2022) + additional materials provided during the course (required) Additional reading (suggested): Studiare i media, by Balbi, Comunello, Pasquali, Sorice

The course includes lectures with the use of multimedia presentations and classroom activities. Indications will be provided for a deeper knowledge of specific topics.

Assessment will be based on: continuous assessment (exercises and mid-term exam): 33% + final exam: 66%. Non-attending students will only take the final written exam on the reference texts (which therefore constitutes 100% of the assessment). The final exam consists of open-ended questions

Requested requirements: interest in the sociology of communication and, more generally, in the area of media studies, sociology, democracy studies and political communication; sufficient ability to master and use texts in English; adequate knowledge of the foundations of sociology and political science. To obtain the degree thesis it is necessary to present a written project including research methodology, accompanied by a (provisional) index and a minimum basic bibliography. The mandatory quote system is HARVARD SYSTEM