Ateneo - UPO

The course aims to present a framework of human communication and the main theoretical foundations that describe it from a sociological perspective.
The first step is an excursus on the main stages in the history of communication, to focus the study to mass communication and digital communication. To better contextualize the course of study, there will be a focus on health communication and social marketing.

Will be made available handouts, articles and essays.

Suggested books:
- L. Paccagnella, “Sociologia della comunicazione nell'era digitale”, Il Mulino, 2020
- C. Bertone, M. Marangi, G. Pasquero, “Social Media Corpo e Relazioni – Steadycam: un’esperienza di educazione al genere” Erickson, 2021

The goal of the course is make the students aware of the rules that underlie communication processes and help them to develop reasoning and planning skills

Background knowledge are not required. The course is part of the study path and provides basic and advanced knowledge

Interactive face-to-face lectures, with slides and videos. Discussion case studies.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-
students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam is aimed at verifying the achievement of the learning objectives and contents provided by the program.
It consists of a oral examination, answers will be assessed according to the following criteria: correctness, language property, and ability to elaborate independently.

Basic concepts: definition of communication, information, difference between the two processes
The field of sociology within the human sciences
Communication: the point of view of sociology
Sociology of Communication: introduction
Brief history of communication
The five axioms of communication - Paul Watzlawick
The Shannon–Weaver model of communication
Jakobson's functions of language
Interpersonal communication: Verbal communication and Non-verbal communication
Effective communication: public speaking, storytelling

Mass communication
- the relationship between communication and society
- theories of the mass media
- use and effects of mass communications
- the information society

Traditional media and digital media, what has changed?
Theories on the social effects of digital media

Health communication: social marketing, The transtheoretical model of behavior change - Prochaska and Di Clemente; case history
Communication and equity
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) - Marshall Rosenberg

Knowledge and understanding of interpersonal communication dynamics. Knowledge of processes that influence the mass media and understanding how the media influence individuals' perception of reality.