Social History of the Media
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course deals with the social history of media from an anthropological perspective.
Starting from the critical analysis of the concept of medium, students will acquire knowledge on the way in which the means of communication assume different meanings, uses and social functions in different cultural contexts.
We will analyze the media production processes and the production of meaning and subjectivity in reception practices in different cultural contexts.
By comparing our social history with those of other non-European countries, students will acquire reflective and critical skills
Starting from the critical analysis of the concept of medium, students will acquire knowledge on the way in which the means of communication assume different meanings, uses and social functions in different cultural contexts.
We will analyze the media production processes and the production of meaning and subjectivity in reception practices in different cultural contexts.
By comparing our social history with those of other non-European countries, students will acquire reflective and critical skills
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will acquire the following knowledge, skills, abilities and skills:
- knowledge of the cultural variability of the social history of the media
- competence in reading critically (also usable for application purposes) the relationship between technologies, economic and socio-cultural contexts
- ability to orientate theoretically and practically in the world of contemporary communication, through a reflective and critical attitude
- knowledge of the cultural variability of the social history of the media
- competence in reading critically (also usable for application purposes) the relationship between technologies, economic and socio-cultural contexts
- ability to orientate theoretically and practically in the world of contemporary communication, through a reflective and critical attitude
Lesson period: Second 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
Second trimester
Course syllabus
In the first part of the course (professor Biscaldi) the concept of medium will be analyzed from an anthropological perspective.
The comparison with non-European contexts will allow a thorough understanding of the complex relationships between technologies, linguistic ideologies, economic and social contexts.
The second one (professor Zecca) is configured as a thematic study dedicated to the analysis of documentary language, both in its cinematographic and photographic dimension. Through a careful approach to the social and performative dimension of the media, we will critically reflect on some audiovisual materials, so as to analyze their ethical implications, especially when the object of mediatic representation concerns otherness and human rights.
The comparison with non-European contexts will allow a thorough understanding of the complex relationships between technologies, linguistic ideologies, economic and social contexts.
The second one (professor Zecca) is configured as a thematic study dedicated to the analysis of documentary language, both in its cinematographic and photographic dimension. Through a careful approach to the social and performative dimension of the media, we will critically reflect on some audiovisual materials, so as to analyze their ethical implications, especially when the object of mediatic representation concerns otherness and human rights.
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires the knowledge of twentieth century history.
Teaching methods
The teaching of the course offers lessons, practical exercises, case studies, guest lectures, video projection.
Slides, educational material, references will be available at the end of each lesson on the course website: abiscaldi.ariel.ctu.unimi.it and in TEAMS
Slides, educational material, references will be available at the end of each lesson on the course website: abiscaldi.ariel.ctu.unimi.it and in TEAMS
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
Primo modulo. A text of your choice:
- Biscaldi, A, Matera V. ( a cura di) Soggettività, e social media, RAC- Rivista di antropologia contemporanea, 1/2022
- Biscaldi, A., Matera V. ( a cura di), Social media e politiche dell'identità, Ledizioni, Milano, 2023
- Cangini A., (a cura di), Cocca web. Una generazione da salvare. Minerva, Bologna, 2022
Secondo modulo:
- Cecilia Pennacini, Filmare la culture. Un'introduzione all'antropologia visiva, Carocci, Roma, 2019
For not attending students:
- Cecilia Pennacini, Filmare la culture. Un'introduzione all'antropologia visiva, Carocci, Roma, 2019argna, Ivan ( a cura di),
-Vincenzo Matera, Angela Biscaldi, Antropologia dei social media. Comunicare nel mondo globale, Carocci, Roma, 2019
Primo modulo. A text of your choice:
- Biscaldi, A, Matera V. ( a cura di) Soggettività, e social media, RAC- Rivista di antropologia contemporanea, 1/2022
- Biscaldi, A., Matera V. ( a cura di), Social media e politiche dell'identità, Ledizioni, Milano, 2023
- Cangini A., (a cura di), Cocca web. Una generazione da salvare. Minerva, Bologna, 2022
Secondo modulo:
- Cecilia Pennacini, Filmare la culture. Un'introduzione all'antropologia visiva, Carocci, Roma, 2019
For not attending students:
- Cecilia Pennacini, Filmare la culture. Un'introduzione all'antropologia visiva, Carocci, Roma, 2019argna, Ivan ( a cura di),
-Vincenzo Matera, Angela Biscaldi, Antropologia dei social media. Comunicare nel mondo globale, Carocci, Roma, 2019
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students will take a final test at the end of the first and second modules. The final grade will be given by the average of the two tests.
Students who fail the two tests present themselves to subsequent exams as non-attending students
For non-attending students and for attending students who have not passed the two final tests, the exam consists of a written test on the non-attending program.
Students who fail the two tests present themselves to subsequent exams as non-attending students
For non-attending students and for attending students who have not passed the two final tests, the exam consists of a written test on the non-attending program.
M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Biscaldi Angela, Zecca Raul
Professor(s)