Ateneo - UPO

Information and communication; interpersonal and mass communication

Compulsory readings (same syllabus for attending and non-attending students):
Handout uploaded to the course's DIR

Additional materials for further study (open-access journal articles and book chapters), which are not required for the examination, will be uploaded to the module DIR page.

This course aims to provide the fundamental theoretical and conceptual tools for understanding communication as a social, cultural, and relational phenomenon, exploring its role in interaction processes, in the construction of social relationships, and in the dynamics of social transformation. Drawing on the work of several key figures in sociological thought, the course will analyze the various dimensions of communication, with particular attention to the relationship between communication, power, and social change.
Special attention will be given to the auditory dimension of communication, the role of sound, speech, and silence in social interactions, and the transformations of the contemporary soundscape. The development of mass media and the social consequences of new communication technologies will also be addressed. Finally, the module aims to provide a basic understanding of the main methods and techniques of social research applied to the study of communication, developing the ability to observe, analyze, and critically interpret communicative phenomena and their social implications.

Logical, linguistic and historical competencies acquired during upper-secondary education.

Lectures, reading and discussion of texts, and classroom discussions.

Students are advised to enrol on the module DIR page. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) or Special Educational Needs (SENs) may request dedicated services and specific support tools by contacting the Student Careers Development and Coordination and Student Services Staff and consulting the relevant University webpage: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentidisabili-e-dsa. After contacting the University Staff, students with disabilities, SLDs or SENs may contact the course instructor to discuss the educational aspects of any adjustments to the examination arrangements.

The final assessment consists of an oral examination lasting approximately 20–30 minutes, aimed at verifying the knowledge specified in the educational objectives and expected learning outcomes. Grades are awarded on a scale of 30 and the assessment will consider the following aspects: 1) knowledge and understanding of the main topics covered, up to 18 points; 2) ability to present ideas clearly and accurately, using appropriate terminology, up to 6 points; 3) ability to establish connections between topics and develop critical and independent reflection, up to 6 points.
To pass the examination, students must demonstrate at least a satisfactory knowledge of the main module topics.

Introduction
Fundamentals of the Sociology of Communication.
Social Relations and Society.
Communication as a Social Phenomenon.
Communication and Interaction.
Interactive Space in Its Public and Private Dimensions (with reference to Hannah Arendt).
Sound and Speech as Symbols and Acoustic Signals.
Reproduced Sound, Schizophonia, Heterophony, Interference.
Silence as a communicative dimension that is being lost.

Communication with reference to some classical authors
Theodor Adorno: typology of the listener. Culture industry.
Jürgen Habermas: theory of communicative action, concept of the public sphere.
Ralf Dahrendorf: interaction between individuals as a necessary element for social change.
Zygmunt Bauman: communication in the age of globalization (with reference to the concept of liquid society).

Communication and Power
Michel Foucault: communication as a practice of power.
Sound, music, and information as coercive elements (forced listening to music and speech in places of detention).
The current urban soundscape (passive music, involuntary listening).
The noise of socialization.

Mass Communication
The emergence and development of mass media.
New technologies and forms of communication. Social consequences (distraction on the streets, difficulties in interpersonal relationships).

Social Research Methods and Techniques in the Field of Communication
Quantitative approaches: questionnaires, opinion polls.
Qualitative approaches: interviews, communication analysis techniques using participant observation.
Hands-on exercise related to the research techniques discussed.
Concluding remarks.

Knowledge and understanding: by the end of the course, students will know the main concepts and theoretical approaches of the sociology of communication and understand the characteristics of interpersonal, mass and digital communication. They will also be able to describe the main transformations brought about by digitalisation, social media and algorithmic platforms.

Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to use concepts and theories to analyse communication situations, media content and digital practices, recognising the role of media, algorithms and platforms in the construction of identities, relationships and social representations.

Making judgements: students will be able to compare different theoretical perspectives and critically assess the social consequences of mass and digital communication, with particular attention to power, gender, inequalities, surveillance and algorithmic discrimination.

Communication skills: students will be able to present the main course topics clearly, using appropriate sociological terminology, and to formulate coherent and well-supported interpretations.

Learning skills: students will be able to study sociological texts independently, connect different concepts and perspectives, and apply the knowledge acquired to the interpretation of new or continuously evolving communication phenomena.

These learning outcomes are consistent with those specified in the SUA (Annual Programme Report) of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Philosophy and Communication.