Digital Sociology and Global Politics
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course, organised in two modules, presents in the first module a critical approach to the study of the hyper-technological society of the 21st century characterised by a range of digital platforms. The module explores the relationship between digital platforms, economy and society, starting from the assumption of the everydayness of digitally mediated interaction. It offers the critical and theoretical tools necessary for the analysis of forms of work, the social situation, social change, processes of public opinion, and economic, urban and social inequalities that characterise the present. The second module focuses on the interaction between the politicisation of media and the mediatisation of politics. It looks at global political phenomena such as the rise of nationalism, the electoral victories of populist and far-right parties, authoritarian tendencies in an increasing number of countries, the decline in the quality of democracy, etc., highlighting the synergies between media and politics. The module aims to provide students with the theoretical, empirical, and critical tools necessary to recognise and analyse the 'new forms of nationalism', as well as to undertake a broader analysis of democracy and its opponents.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have acquired the following knowledge: ability to problematise the relationship between digital platforms, economy and society; ability to critique the phenomena that characterise digital society, with particular attention to forms of work, urban dynamics, and the economic and social inequalities that characterise it; ability to evaluate the role of digital platforms in a given social context. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in relation to: knowledge and understanding of the main theories and case studies presented in the course, critical presentation of approaches, concepts and case studies observed.
Lesson period: Third trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
MODULE A
Platform capitalism
Case study: Amazon
Cities and digital platforms
Case study: Airbnb
Work and digital platforms
Case studies: Uber, Foodora
Inequalities and digital platforms
Public opinion, Politics and policies of digital platforms
Case studies: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
MODULO B
Media and new nationalism
Media and politics
Political parallelism, polarization
Political parallelism and divisions
Media politicization
Mediatization of politics
Case studies: Bosnia Herzegovina, Nord Macedonia, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, South Tyrol, Italy
Nationalism and democracy
State-capture + media-capture
Authoritarian prone regimes
Platform capitalism
Case study: Amazon
Cities and digital platforms
Case study: Airbnb
Work and digital platforms
Case studies: Uber, Foodora
Inequalities and digital platforms
Public opinion, Politics and policies of digital platforms
Case studies: Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
MODULO B
Media and new nationalism
Media and politics
Political parallelism, polarization
Political parallelism and divisions
Media politicization
Mediatization of politics
Case studies: Bosnia Herzegovina, Nord Macedonia, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, South Tyrol, Italy
Nationalism and democracy
State-capture + media-capture
Authoritarian prone regimes
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of General Sociology, Sociology of Communication, and Fundamentals of Political Science are essential for taking this exam.
Lectures will be held in the classroom and in person, unless otherwise stipulated. If face-to-face teaching is not possible, synchronous online teaching will be used using Teams.
The schedule of lessons, details of activities, PPT slides and other materials used and/or recommended during the lessons (both in Module A and Module B) will be made available to all students and uploaded on the ARIEL platform in the space dedicated to the course.
Lectures will be held in the classroom and in person, unless otherwise stipulated. If face-to-face teaching is not possible, synchronous online teaching will be used using Teams.
The schedule of lessons, details of activities, PPT slides and other materials used and/or recommended during the lessons (both in Module A and Module B) will be made available to all students and uploaded on the ARIEL platform in the space dedicated to the course.
Teaching methods
The course is based on lectures and alternates between explanations and classroom discussions. The active participation of students in discussion and debate is highly appreciated and encouraged, as it is considered an integral part of the course.
Module A: The module is organised with theoretical lectures combined with presentations of case studies and empirical research. Particular importance will be given to classroom discussions aimed at encouraging comparison and exchange of opinions/experiences.
Module B: the lessons will consist of moments of frontal explanation alternated with the viewing of YouTube videos (mainly in English, with Italian subtitles), presentation of relevant case studies, and classroom discussions aimed at encouraging discussion and exchange of opinions/experiences.
Active student participation is always welcome and strongly encouraged.
Module A: The module is organised with theoretical lectures combined with presentations of case studies and empirical research. Particular importance will be given to classroom discussions aimed at encouraging comparison and exchange of opinions/experiences.
Module B: the lessons will consist of moments of frontal explanation alternated with the viewing of YouTube videos (mainly in English, with Italian subtitles), presentation of relevant case studies, and classroom discussions aimed at encouraging discussion and exchange of opinions/experiences.
Active student participation is always welcome and strongly encouraged.
Teaching Resources
Module A:
Attendees:
Burrell, J. & Fourcade, M, (2021) The Society of Algorithms, Annual Review of Sociology 2021 47:1, 213-237
ONE paper to chose from:
Delfanti, A.(2021) Machinic dispossession and augmented despotism: Digital work in an Amazon warehouse- New Media & Society, 2021.
Esposito A.(2021) Airbnb a Napoli: geografie, concentrazioni e attori. Una geografia delle politiche urbane tra possesso e governo. Urban@it 1/2021 (Vol. 12).
Gerosa, A., & Giorgi, G. (2021). The Memetic Cult of Personality of Politicians During the Pandemic, in
"Comunicazione politica, Quadrimestrale dell'Associazione Italiana di Comunicazione Politica", 3/2021,
pp. 357-384. DOI: 10.3270/102417.
Leonardi, D. (2020), Piattaforme digitali e lavoratori on demand: contraddizioni, conflitti e processi di (contro) soggettivazione. Inchiesta con i rider a Torino, in "SOCIOLOGIA DEL LAVORO " 158/2020, pp. 199-221, DOI:10.3280/SL2020-158010.
Non-Attendees:
- Arvidsson, A (2020). Changemakers . Il futuro industrioso dell'economia digitale. Luca Sossella Editore, Roma.
Module B
Attendees
Piacentini A. 2022 (**), 'Da guardiani della democrazia a servi del nazionalismo? Un confronto tra i sistemi mediatici e politici delle società plurali divise e dei paesi Mediterranei'
Mihelj S. 2012. 'Between Segmentation and Integration: Media Systems and Ethno-cultural Diversity in Central and Eastern Europe', in Downey J., S. Mihelj (eds.) 2012. Central and Eastern European media in comparative perspective. Politic, economy and culture, London and New York: Routledge, Chapter 3, 63-87
Non-Attendees
IN AGGIUNTA AI TESTI PER I FREQUENTANTI
Hallin D.C., Mancini P. (eds.) 2004. 'Il modello mediterraneo o pluralista-polarizzato' in Hallin D.C., Mancini P. (eds.), Modelli di giornalismo: Mass media e politica nelle democrazie occidentali, Capitolo 5
** Suggested to ALL
- Mihelj S., C. Jimenez-Martinez 2021. 'Digital nationalism: Understanding the role of digital media in the rise of 'new' nationalism', Nations and Nationalism, 27, pp. 331-346
Attendees:
Burrell, J. & Fourcade, M, (2021) The Society of Algorithms, Annual Review of Sociology 2021 47:1, 213-237
ONE paper to chose from:
Delfanti, A.(2021) Machinic dispossession and augmented despotism: Digital work in an Amazon warehouse- New Media & Society, 2021.
Esposito A.(2021) Airbnb a Napoli: geografie, concentrazioni e attori. Una geografia delle politiche urbane tra possesso e governo. Urban@it 1/2021 (Vol. 12).
Gerosa, A., & Giorgi, G. (2021). The Memetic Cult of Personality of Politicians During the Pandemic, in
"Comunicazione politica, Quadrimestrale dell'Associazione Italiana di Comunicazione Politica", 3/2021,
pp. 357-384. DOI: 10.3270/102417.
Leonardi, D. (2020), Piattaforme digitali e lavoratori on demand: contraddizioni, conflitti e processi di (contro) soggettivazione. Inchiesta con i rider a Torino, in "SOCIOLOGIA DEL LAVORO " 158/2020, pp. 199-221, DOI:10.3280/SL2020-158010.
Non-Attendees:
- Arvidsson, A (2020). Changemakers . Il futuro industrioso dell'economia digitale. Luca Sossella Editore, Roma.
Module B
Attendees
Piacentini A. 2022 (**), 'Da guardiani della democrazia a servi del nazionalismo? Un confronto tra i sistemi mediatici e politici delle società plurali divise e dei paesi Mediterranei'
Mihelj S. 2012. 'Between Segmentation and Integration: Media Systems and Ethno-cultural Diversity in Central and Eastern Europe', in Downey J., S. Mihelj (eds.) 2012. Central and Eastern European media in comparative perspective. Politic, economy and culture, London and New York: Routledge, Chapter 3, 63-87
Non-Attendees
IN AGGIUNTA AI TESTI PER I FREQUENTANTI
Hallin D.C., Mancini P. (eds.) 2004. 'Il modello mediterraneo o pluralista-polarizzato' in Hallin D.C., Mancini P. (eds.), Modelli di giornalismo: Mass media e politica nelle democrazie occidentali, Capitolo 5
** Suggested to ALL
- Mihelj S., C. Jimenez-Martinez 2021. 'Digital nationalism: Understanding the role of digital media in the rise of 'new' nationalism', Nations and Nationalism, 27, pp. 331-346
Assessment methods and Criteria
For all students, whether attending or not, knowledge will be assessed by means of a written examination.
The examination will be divided into two parts: a first part aimed at covering topics and concepts discussed in Module A, and a second part related to Module B.
For each part, there will be 2/3 open questions aimed at investigating the theoretical knowledge acquired + 1 example question in which the students will have to demonstrate their ability to analyse and elaborate.
Attendees:
Examination's questions will focus on the suggested texts, PPT slides, as well as discussion topics that emerged and were addressed in class. For Module A, the example-question will focus on the case studies presented in class. For Module B, the example question will focus on cases similar to those discussed in class.
Non-Attendees:
Although study/consultation of the PPT slides used in the lecture is also strongly recommended for non-attending students, the exam questions will focus exclusively on the texts and suggested readings (including the example question).
To ALL students:
Exam texts, suggested readings, and PPT slides used in class will be uploaded on the course ARIEL platform and made available to all students.
Unless otherwise stipulated, the written examination will take place in person, in the classroom, on the dedicated days. The student will obtain a mark in thirtieths for each of the two Modules, and the final mark will be the average of the two.
The examination will be divided into two parts: a first part aimed at covering topics and concepts discussed in Module A, and a second part related to Module B.
For each part, there will be 2/3 open questions aimed at investigating the theoretical knowledge acquired + 1 example question in which the students will have to demonstrate their ability to analyse and elaborate.
Attendees:
Examination's questions will focus on the suggested texts, PPT slides, as well as discussion topics that emerged and were addressed in class. For Module A, the example-question will focus on the case studies presented in class. For Module B, the example question will focus on cases similar to those discussed in class.
Non-Attendees:
Although study/consultation of the PPT slides used in the lecture is also strongly recommended for non-attending students, the exam questions will focus exclusively on the texts and suggested readings (including the example question).
To ALL students:
Exam texts, suggested readings, and PPT slides used in class will be uploaded on the course ARIEL platform and made available to all students.
Unless otherwise stipulated, the written examination will take place in person, in the classroom, on the dedicated days. The student will obtain a mark in thirtieths for each of the two Modules, and the final mark will be the average of the two.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Piacentini Arianna Maria Bambina, Tonetta Marta
Professor(s)