The main aim of the course is providing students with a comprehensive theoretical perspective on sociology of communication, starting with some classical authors who defined the concept of communication and its first technologies  up to the more advanced concept dealing with digital media. Another aim is offering theoretical and practical instruments useful for the social and communicative analysis of contemporary society, seen as a complex object. The students will be provided with basic knowledge on the main theories on media, and on technologies of communication starting with radio and television and arriving to social media. A particular focus will be on cultural news, on its use and its main topics. These topics, on the whole, are essential issues to understand the contemporary scenario of communication and indispensable for future professionals in the field of communication

The course, in its first part, wants to introduce some key concepts such as modernity, information and pragmatic of communication. Later it will be analysed the role of technology in reproducing and spreading communication, starting with the more traditional.  The course will also deal with the main theories on media effects, also in a historical perspective. The historical-evolutional approach will be used also to understand the matching between the main mainstream media, radio and television, with digital platforms. A recurring topic will be newsmaking and the changes linked with the evolution of different media.

Students have to reach these goals:

1.     Knowledge and understanding of: forms and languages of communication in the complex society, through the learning of competences on the main models and theories in the communication field.

1.1.  Students reach these basic knowledge attending lessons and studying mentioned textbooks.

2.     Use of knowledge and understanding skills: analysing languages of news making and the different ways in which they are used by their publics.

2.2. Students reach these skills by laboratory activities during class hours.

3. Judging skills: critical approach on the evolving dynamics of the relation between new media technologies and society and on present transformations in mediated public interpersonal communication.

3.1. Students reach and demonstrate these skills during debates with the Professor and with the class, during laboratory activities and during the preparation of the final exam.

4. Communication ability: students have to interact during the lesson asking questions, exchanging ideas with the collegues and organizing keynotes while tested. 
4.1. Students reach these skills organizing discussions and excercises. 

5. Learning skills: students have to adopt a critical approach while studying in order to connect theoretical knowledge with empirical analysis, obtaining a personal point of view on the subject. 
5.1. Students strengthen these skills debating with the Professor and the rest of the class. 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Besides lectures, there will be seminars focused on specific topics led by professionals in the field of communication and cultural newsmaking. There will also be practical exercises and activities during class hours.

The teaching materials made available by the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures, seminars on specific topics, practical exercises and activities during class hours

Attendance

Lesson attending, individual studying of course books.

Course books

1. Mazzoli L., Il patchwork mediale. Comunicazione e informazione fra media tradizionali e media digitali, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2012.
2. Watzlawick P., Beavin J.H., Jackson D.D., Pragmatica della comunicazione umana, Astrolabio, Roma, 1971 (limitatamente ai capp. 1, 2 e 3).
3. Benjamin W., L'opera d'arte nell'epoca della sua riproducibilità tecnica, Einaudi, Torino, 2011. 
4. E. Menduni, Televisione e radio nel XXI secolo, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2016.

Assessment

Written exam at the end of the course or oral exam, chosen by the student. The written test will be articulated in an essay regarding some of the topics, chosen by the professor. The student can decide whether to deal with the written exam, that will take place at the end of the course, or the oral exam. The individual oral exam will be based on the course books, and will evaluate the student learning and his ability of reprocessing and argumentation. 

An excellent evaluation will be scored when the student shows good critical and deepening abilities; when he/she shows to connect the main course topics; when he/she uses an appropriate language regarding to a particular discipline.

A reasonable evaluation will be scored when the student shows a mnemonic knowledge of contents; when he/she shows a limited critical ability and limited ability to connect the main course topics; when he/she uses an appropriate language.

A passing grade will be scored when the student shows a minimal knowledge of the topics; when he/she uses of the language not completely appropriate.

A negative evaluation will be scored when the student shows difficulties in the orientation among the topics dealt with during the exam; when he/she shows educational gap; when he/she uses an inappropriate language.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.