MASS COMMUNICATION SOCIOLOGY

According to the Dublin descriptors, students, at the end of the course, will demonstrate: 

1. knowledge and understanding

The course aims at giving a clear picture of mass media processes and development. Indeed, they play an important role to understand the contemporary tools of communication. 

2. ability to apply knowledge and understanding

The analysis of case studies and digital platforms will aim at improving and developing soft skills for communication.

3. learning skills

The course provides the basis for undertaking subsequent studies with a good degree of autonomy in the field of digital and public communication.

Module A

The origins and changes of the mass media

The birth and development of mass media and the definition of mass culture, the media functions within contemporary society through the study of methods of study of the use of audience consumption, description of the main authors who have deal with social changes starting with the introduction of mass media. 

Module B

The forms of professional communication

The second part of the course illustrates and introduces the elements and methods of communication and digital sociology. Ample space is given to digital professions in the context of digital strategy, influencer marketing and data journalism.

Module A - The origins and changes of the mass media (3 Credits)

Text:

L. Gorman, D. McLean, Media e società nel mondo contemporaneo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009, pp. 326. 

Module B - The forms of professional communications(3 Credits)

Text:

D. Chieffi (a cura di), Comunicare digitale, Roma, Centro di Documentazione Giornalistica, 2018, pp. 319.

Mass Communication Theories (optionally for students from other degree programs)

Texts:

D. Chieffi (a cura di), Comunicare digitale, Roma, Centro di Documentazione Giornalistica, 2018, pp. 319.

or

M. Centorrino, A. Romeo (a cura di), Sociologia della comunicazione. Teorie, concetti, strumenti, Milano, Mondadori, 2021; Parte I, Parte III, Parte IV, Parte V (cap.18-19)

Further readings 

Texts:

M. Antenore, S. Splendore,  Data journalism: guida essenziale alle notizie fatte con i numeri, Milano, Mondadori, 2017

S. Bentivegna, G. Boccia Artieri, Voci della democrazia. Il futuro del dibattito pubblico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021 (pp. 1-208)

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.