Digital Society
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
We now live in a digital society. New digital technologies have had a profound influence on everyday life, social relations, government, work and the economy, the production and dissemination of knowledge. People's movements in space, their purchasing habits and their forms of communication with others are now monitored in detail by digital technologies. We are increasingly becoming digital data subjects, whether we like it or not, and whether we choose this or not. The course aims at enabling students to critically analyse and make sense of the main changes that, in the last few decades, have affected Western advanced societies and other areas of the world. Students will be equipped with the conceptual and empirical tools to understand the most salient features and the most relevant consequences of today's processes of digitalization in a number of significant social domains.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will acquire the ability to critically evaluate and discuss the impact, development and use of digital technologies and their incorporation into social worlds and institutions. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in relation to how digital technologies are shaping today's society; the most important theoretical debates around digital societies, culture and the economy, and the role of technology in everyday life.
Lesson period: First 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
First trimester
Teaching methods and organization will adapt to the evolution of the pandemic crisis.
Course syllabus
ATTENDING STUDENTS will have to:
a) Successfully pass a written exam (50% of the final grade). The test will include the content covered in class (class notes), and a reading pack comprising of academic journal articles and other reading materials.
b) Successfully complete class coursework (50% of the final grade): this will consist in a group presentation, held in class, on the topic of technology and work, accompanied by an individual, written critical reflection (1,000 work) submitted on the last day of class.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS will have to pass a written exam (100% of the final grade). The test will be based on the following textbooks:
- Marres, N. (2017). Digital sociology: The reinvention of social research. Polity.
- Gillespie, T. (2018). Custodians of the internet: Platforms, content moderation, and the hidden decisions that shape social media. Yale University Press.
- Rosenblat, A. (2018). Uberland: How algorithms are rewriting the rules of work. Univ. of California Press.
a) Successfully pass a written exam (50% of the final grade). The test will include the content covered in class (class notes), and a reading pack comprising of academic journal articles and other reading materials.
b) Successfully complete class coursework (50% of the final grade): this will consist in a group presentation, held in class, on the topic of technology and work, accompanied by an individual, written critical reflection (1,000 work) submitted on the last day of class.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS will have to pass a written exam (100% of the final grade). The test will be based on the following textbooks:
- Marres, N. (2017). Digital sociology: The reinvention of social research. Polity.
- Gillespie, T. (2018). Custodians of the internet: Platforms, content moderation, and the hidden decisions that shape social media. Yale University Press.
- Rosenblat, A. (2018). Uberland: How algorithms are rewriting the rules of work. Univ. of California Press.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
Lectures, weekly readings and in-class discussion.
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS: content covered in class (class notes), and a reading pack comprising of academic journal articles and other reading materials.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- Marres, N. (2017). Digital sociology: The reinvention of social research. Polity.
- Gillespie, T. (2018). Custodians of the internet: Platforms, content moderation, and the hidden decisions that shape social media. Yale University Press.
- Rosenblat, A. (2018). Uberland: How algorithms are rewriting the rules of work. Univ. of California Press.
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
- Marres, N. (2017). Digital sociology: The reinvention of social research. Polity.
- Gillespie, T. (2018). Custodians of the internet: Platforms, content moderation, and the hidden decisions that shape social media. Yale University Press.
- Rosenblat, A. (2018). Uberland: How algorithms are rewriting the rules of work. Univ. of California Press.
Assessment methods and Criteria
ATTENDING STUDENTS will be engaged in an active way in the learning experience, through weekly readings and in-class discussion. In addition, they will have to write a research paper.
Exam for attending students:
COURSE GRADE (weighted average):
Intermediate written examination: 25%
Research paper: 50%
Laboratory: 25%
For NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS, the exam takes place in written form and consists of open-ended questions.
Exam for attending students:
COURSE GRADE (weighted average):
Intermediate written examination: 25%
Research paper: 50%
Laboratory: 25%
For NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS, the exam takes place in written form and consists of open-ended questions.
SPS/07 - GENERAL SOCIOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Gandini Alessandro, Rama Ilir
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