SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURAL PROCESSES

Knowledge of classical and contemporary sociological theories
on culture. Special emphasis will be placed on the perspective
of Symbolic Interactionism.
Development of sociological sensitivity and analytical
skills for approaching cultural phenomena.

Two ways of looking at culture: Social Sciences and Humanities.
Classical theories: Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel. Conflictualist
perspectives (Bourdieu).
Structural-functionalist perspectives (Parsons, Merton, Alexander).
Symbolic Interactionism (Mead, Blumer, Becker, Denzin).

Culture and identity: the social construction of Self
Primary and secondary socialization, re-socialization, significant
others and reference groups. Subcultures and Social Worlds

Art Worlds and Fields of production
Social construction of Performance Art.
«Cultural performances»: Turner, Schechner, Goffman.
Conventions, reputational entrepreneurs and legitimating processes.

1. Wendy Griswold, Cultures and Societies in a Changing World,
New York, Sage, 2008.

2. Peter Berger, Thomas Luckmann, The Social Construction of Reality,
New York, Doubleday, 1966. (Chapter 3)

3. A. L. Strauss, Il concetto di mondo sociale, Kurumuny, Calimera (Le), 2016.

4. Giuseppe Toscano, Azioni in cornice. Costruzione sociale della Performance Art, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2011.

5. G. Toscano, “Hikikomori: la paura viene dall’Estremo Oriente. Costruzione del disagio giovanile e dinamiche di panico morale”, in Rivista italiana di Costruttivismo, 4, 1, 2016, pp. 63-82.