Ateneo - UPO

History of sociological thought and major sociological theories and concepts; social interaction, socialisation, family and gender, identity, stratification and inequalities; information and communication; interpersonal, mass and digital communication; media and algorithmic platforms; identity, relationships, power and inequalities in contemporary society.

FIRST MODULE (SOCIOLOGY):

Compulsory readings:

For attending students:

1) P. Jedlowski, Il mondo in questione, Carocci, 2009 (2025 reprint).
2) one text chosen from:
a) C. Bertone, Il familiare è politico, Meltemi, 2023 (excluding Chapter 4).
b) O. Giancola, L. Salmieri (eds), Sociologia delle disuguaglianze, Carocci, 2020 (excluding Chapters 1, 2 and 3).

For non-attending students:

1) P. Jedlowski, Il mondo in questione, Carocci, 2009 (2025 reprint).
2) C. Bertone, Il familiare è politico, Meltemi, 2023 (excluding Chapter 4).
3) O. Giancola, L. Salmieri (eds), Sociologia delle disuguaglianze, Carocci, 2020 (excluding Chapter 3).

SECOND MODULE (SOCIOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION):

Compulsory readings (same syllabus for attending and non-attending students):

1) L. Paccagnella (2020), Sociologia della comunicazione nell’era digitale, Il Mulino.
2) E. Locatelli, N. Vittadini (2023), Digital Media. Piattaforme algoritmiche e società, Vita e Pensiero (excluding Chapters 5, 6, 11 and 12).

For both modules, additional materials (open-access academic articles and book chapters), which are not compulsory for the examinations, will be uploaded to the respective DIR pages.

First module (Sociology): the module introduces students to the main concepts, issues and theoretical perspectives of sociology. By reconstructing the historical development of sociological thought, it provides the tools needed to understand the distinctive features of the sociological perspective and to distinguish the scientific analysis of social phenomena from common-sense interpretations.
Particular attention will be devoted to the ways in which the major authors and schools of thought have interpreted modernity, social order and conflict, forms of interaction, processes of socialisation and identity construction, inequalities and power relations. By the end of the module, students should be able to use the fundamental concepts of sociology to critically analyse phenomena and experiences of contemporary social life, relate different theoretical approaches to one another, and present the knowledge acquired clearly and coherently.

Second module (Sociology of Communication): the module provides the fundamental theoretical and conceptual tools for understanding communication as a social, cultural and relational process. It examines the main forms of interpersonal, mass and digital communication, together with the major sociological theories concerning media, audiences and the effects of communication.
Particular attention will be devoted to the transformations introduced by the Internet, social media and algorithmic platforms, with reference to identity construction, social relationships, the production and circulation of content, datafication and digital inequalities. The module also aims to develop the ability to use the concepts acquired to critically interpret contemporary communication phenomena.

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

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

Students are advised to enrol on the DIR pages of both modules. Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) or Special Educational Needs (SENs) may request dedicated services and specific support by contacting the Student Careers Development and Coordination and Student Services Office and consulting the relevant page of the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentidisabili-e-dsa. After contacting the University office, students with disabilities, SLDs or SENs may contact the lecturers responsible for the modules to discuss the adaptation of examination arrangements in relation to teaching and learning requirements.

Assessment consists of two oral examinations, one for each module, each lasting approximately 20–30 minutes and designed to verify the achievement of the educational objectives and expected learning outcomes. Marks are awarded on a scale of 30, taking into account 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 among topics and develop critical and independent reflection, up to 6 points.
To pass the integrated course, students must obtain at least a passing mark in each of the two modules. The final mark, awarded on a scale of 30, will be the arithmetic mean of the marks obtained in the two module examinations.

First module (Sociology): the module provides an introduction to sociology through the analysis of its major authors, theoretical traditions and fundamental concepts. The first part will examine the emergence of sociological thought in the context of the transformations of modern society, with particular reference to positivism and the works of Saint-Simon, Comte and Spencer. It will then explore the contributions of the major classical authors: Marx, focusing on relations of production, class and social conflict; Durkheim, with the concepts of social fact, solidarity and integration; Simmel, with the study of forms of interaction and the experience of modernity; and Weber, with interpretive sociology, the theory of social action and the analysis of rationalisation processes.
The following part will present some of the main developments in twentieth-century sociology: the Chicago School and Mead’s interactionism; the critical theory of the Frankfurt School; structural functionalism; and sociological approaches to everyday life. The contributions of Giddens and Bourdieu and the perspective of Cultural Studies will also be introduced, with attention to the relationship between social structure, action, cultural practices and power.
The final part of the module will address several central areas of sociological analysis: elementary forms of social interaction; processes of socialisation and identity construction; social stratification and the production of inequalities. A seminar session will examine the social and political character of family relationships, showing how family, intimacy and private life are shaped by norms, differences, inequalities and power relations.

Second module (Sociology of communication): the module introduces the main concepts of the sociology of communication, beginning with the distinction between information and communication and the analysis of processes through which meanings are produced and shared.
The module will address verbal and non-verbal communication, face-to-face communication, self-presentation and the definition of social situations. One part will be devoted to mass communication, the historical development of media, and the main theories concerning media content, audiences and effects.
A specific section will focus on digital communication and the transformations associated with the spread of the Internet, social media and platforms. Topics will include online identity construction, digital relationships and communities, the functioning of algorithmic media, content personalisation, and new forms of influence and credibility.
Further attention will be devoted to the information society, datafication, surveillance, algorithmic discrimination and digital inequalities. Throughout the module, the relationships between communication, gender, power and social inequalities will be considered.

By the end of the integrated course, students are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes.

Knowledge and understanding: students will know the main authors, theoretical approaches and concepts of general sociology and the sociology of communication, understanding the historical development of sociological thought and the relevance of these perspectives to the analysis of modern and contemporary society. They will understand the characteristics of interpersonal, mass and digital communication and the transformations associated with digitalisation, social media and algorithmic platforms.

Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to use sociological concepts and perspectives to analyse phenomena, processes and experiences of social and communicative life, with particular reference to interaction, socialisation, identity construction, social representations, inequalities and power relations. They will be able to recognise the role of media, algorithms and platforms in the production and circulation of content and in shaping social relationships.

Making judgements: students will be able to critically compare different theoretical perspectives, identifying their assumptions, strengths and limitations, and to develop independent and well-founded interpretations of contemporary social and communication phenomena. They will be able to critically assess the social implications of mass and digital communication, with attention to the relationships between media, power, gender, surveillance, discrimination and inequalities.

Communication skills: students will be able to present the knowledge acquired clearly, accurately and coherently, using sociological terminology appropriately. They will be able to present and relate authors, concepts, theories and social and communication phenomena, formulating coherent and adequately supported interpretations.

Learning skills: students will have developed the skills needed to independently read and understand sociological texts, explore themes and issues in the sociological disciplines, and connect different theoretical perspectives. They will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the interpretation of new or continuously evolving social and communication phenomena and contexts.

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