MASS COMMUNICATION SOCIOLOGY

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

The course takes place essentially through frontal lessons, with extensive use of tools for student involvement: questions for the verification of concepts, collective discussion about analysis of cases histories, digital tools for involvement and participation.

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 dealt with social changes starting with the introduction of mass media. Elements of digital communication within data journalism.

A The origins and changes of the mass media (3 ECTS)

Texts:

• L. Gorman, D. McLean, Media and society in the twentieth century: A historical introduction (2^nd edition), Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell, 2009, pp. 326.

B The forms of professional communications (3 ECTS)

(for students of Scienze e Lingue per la Comunicazione)

Texts:

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

Mass Communication Theories

(optionally for students from other degree programs)

Texts:

• M. Centorrino, A. Romeo (eds.), Sociologia della comunicazione. Teorie, concetti, strumenti, Milano, Mondadori, 2021 (Parts I, III, IV, V - cap. 18-19).

Further readings

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

- R. Cicala, (2021) I meccanismi dell’editoria. Il mondo dei libri dall’autore lettore, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2021.

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.