The course aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the basic theoretical frameworks of cultural sociology. This knowledge is complemented by the development of theoretical and methodological skills essential for the comprehension and analysis of cultural processes in contemporary society, with particular attention to the dynamics of emergence and dissemination of common-sense value and normative orientations, and the various forms of cultural production.
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to critically and independently examine the cultural implications of social and communicative processes. The learning of the foundational theories of cultural sociology will ensure a basic knowledge open to further specializations in both professional fields and subsequent levels of education. The understanding of the logics and processes of symbolic production will be instrumental in the ability to analyze and design cultural products in the various stages of ideation, production, and dissemination.
The course does not require any preliminary knowledge.
Teaching combines lectures and in-class activities aimed at unpacking the course contents, following the learning by doing approach.
Assessment is based on a written exam with open questions, to be answered in 1h. The objective of the examination is to verify the knowledge acquired by the student, their understanding of the basic concepts and tools developed in the examination texts, use of correct terminology, and coherent and clear structuring of discourse. The assessment criteria include: completeness and relevance, clarity of argumentation, language skills and correct use of terminology, ability to synthesize and re-elaborate the questions, grammatical and syntactic correctness, and richness of exposition.
Each answer is graded on a scale of 1 to 30. The final grade, expressed on a scale of 1 to 30, is given by averaging the grade obtained in the four questions. The grade will be published in the student's digital portfolio.
The first part of the course will be dedicated to the the birth and development of the concept of culture in sociology.
In light of the contributions of some classics of sociological thought (Marx, Weber, Durkheim, Simmel), the dimensions and components of culture will be analyzed, along with their relationship with social structure and the dynamics of differentiation, conservation, and cultural change.
In the second part, the focus will shift to more specific cultural phenomena:
The teacher's communications to the students of the course will take place via email via the e-learning area, to which all students must therefore register. The program is valid for both attending and non-attending students. Non attending students, Erasmus students and students with PDP or PEI are invited to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course.
