Digital Sociology and Global Politics

A.Y. 2023/2024
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
SPS/08
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course explores the relationship between technology and society starting from the assumption of the everyday nature of digital interaction, the rejection of 'digital dualism' and the overcoming of the juxtaposition between 'real' and 'virtual'. The course focuses on relationship between digital platforms, the economy, society and politics in a global perspective, focusing on new forms of work and social change, on public opinion processes, on economic, urban and social inequalities that characterize the present. The course offers the critical and theoretical tools necessary for the analysis of the hyper-technological society of the 21st century.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will have acquired the following knowledge: ability to problematize the relationship between technology and society; ability to criticize the phenomena that characterize the digital society, with particular attention to the economic and social inequalities that distinguish it; ability to evaluate the role of technology 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 presented in the course, critical presentation of observed approaches, concepts and case studies.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Third trimester
Course syllabus
Topics covered in class will include:

Sociology of knowledge and digital realities
Online processes of institutionalization and legitimization.
Genesis and crisis of digitial capitalism.
The industrious future of the digital economy.
Politics and the digital.
Health and the digital
Digital religion
Labour and digital society (platform labour, digital labour, new forms of labour).
Digital leisure.
Prerequisites for admission
A recommended prerequisite for this course is a basic knowledge in cultural sociology and sociology of communication.
Teaching methods
The course is characterised by a combination of frontal lectures and group presentations. The participation to the in-class group activity is considered fundamental for students to be considered "attending students."
Teaching Resources
Details on the study material to participate in the group activities and take the final test as attending students will be given in class at the beginning of the course.

For the non-attending students, there will be a final exam with open questions covering all the chapters of the two following books:
- Lupton, D. (2018), Sociologia digitale. Milano-Torino: Pearson.
- Arvidsson, A. (2020). Changemakers. Il futuro industrioso dell'economia digitale. Roma: Luca Sossella Editore.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students: written test on the topics covered in class throughout the course + group presentations

Non-attending students: wiritten exam with open questions covering all the chapters of the two following textbooks: Lupton, D. (2018), Sociologia digitale. Milano-Torino: Pearson; Arvidsson, A. (2020). Changemakers. Il futuro industrioso dell'economia digitale. Roma: Luca Sossella Editore.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor: Nardella Carlo
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 9:00-12:00 (send an email to book an appointment)
Office or MS Teams