Cultural Anthropology and Sociology of Cultural Processes
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide:
· knowledge of the theoretical, methodological and applicational aspects required to interact with cultural diversity
· knowledge of the communicative processes, the identitarian processes, the different types of socialization, with particular regard to intercultural contexts
· knowledge of the key concepts of the anthropology of contemporaneity: de-localization, habitus, agency, performativity, imagination, mobility
· knowledge about the criteria and tools for a sociological interpretation of phenomena of culture and communication in the processes of socialization and education up to the social impact of mass media and technologies that are more advanced.
· knowledge of the theoretical, methodological and applicational aspects required to interact with cultural diversity
· knowledge of the communicative processes, the identitarian processes, the different types of socialization, with particular regard to intercultural contexts
· knowledge of the key concepts of the anthropology of contemporaneity: de-localization, habitus, agency, performativity, imagination, mobility
· knowledge about the criteria and tools for a sociological interpretation of phenomena of culture and communication in the processes of socialization and education up to the social impact of mass media and technologies that are more advanced.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students should possess:
· in-depth knowledge of the main issues of Cultural Anthropology as the study of cultural diversity and as cultural critique
· knowledge of the major anthropological issues and ability to use them to analyse the main social processes of contemporaneity
· critical thinking skills needed to compare different cultural contexts
· ability to apply anthropological knowledge and understanding in relation to the construction of intercultural research design
· the criteria and tools for a sociological interpretation of phenomena of culture and communication in the processes of socialization and education up to the social impact of mass media and technologies that are more advanced.
· in-depth knowledge of the main issues of Cultural Anthropology as the study of cultural diversity and as cultural critique
· knowledge of the major anthropological issues and ability to use them to analyse the main social processes of contemporaneity
· critical thinking skills needed to compare different cultural contexts
· ability to apply anthropological knowledge and understanding in relation to the construction of intercultural research design
· the criteria and tools for a sociological interpretation of phenomena of culture and communication in the processes of socialization and education up to the social impact of mass media and technologies that are more advanced.
Lesson period: year
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
Sezione: Bosisio Parini
Antropologia culturale
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Besana Lorenzo
Sociologia dei processi culturali e comunicativi
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Sezione: Don Gnocchi
Prerequisites for admission
There are no prerequisites
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test composed of 31 closed-ended questions (multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, etc.). The final grade will be given by the number of correct answers (all 31 correct answers equal 30 cum laude; 18 correct answers equal 18). Missed answers are equivalent to incorrect answers (0 points).
Antropologia culturale
Course syllabus
₋ Theoretical foundations of Cultural Anthropology
₋ Perspectives of anthropological reflection on new sociocultural scenarios
₋ Anthropological reflections with respect to specific contexts
₋ Cultures and families; culture and human rights; gender studies; culture and social groups; multiculturalism
The application of theoretical knowledge will be functional to interpret and comment on situations, written and oral texts, videos and social media content.
₋ Perspectives of anthropological reflection on new sociocultural scenarios
₋ Anthropological reflections with respect to specific contexts
₋ Cultures and families; culture and human rights; gender studies; culture and social groups; multiculturalism
The application of theoretical knowledge will be functional to interpret and comment on situations, written and oral texts, videos and social media content.
Teaching methods
Lectures, exercises
Teaching Resources
De Martino E., Il mondo magico, Einaudi, Torino, 2022 - il secondo e il terzo capitolo
Fabietti U., Elementi di antropologia culturale, Mondadori, Milano, 2010 parte prima da pag. 3 a pag. 12; da pag. 13 a pag. 33; parte quinta da pag. 149 a pag. 158
Scovino C., Inclusività. Luoghi e spazi dell'amore LGBT+. Riflessioni itineranti, Rogas Edizioni, Roma, 2023 - da pag. 161 a pag. 179
Ulteriori letture verranno, eventualmente, fornite durante le lezioni
Fabietti U., Elementi di antropologia culturale, Mondadori, Milano, 2010 parte prima da pag. 3 a pag. 12; da pag. 13 a pag. 33; parte quinta da pag. 149 a pag. 158
Scovino C., Inclusività. Luoghi e spazi dell'amore LGBT+. Riflessioni itineranti, Rogas Edizioni, Roma, 2023 - da pag. 161 a pag. 179
Ulteriori letture verranno, eventualmente, fornite durante le lezioni
Sociologia dei processi culturali e comunicativi
Course syllabus
The course consists of an introductory 2-hour lecture followed by six 3-hour lectures.
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic concepts and themes of Sociology of Culture and Communication, and to demonstrate how these evolve, change, and are restructured with the advent of digital media in contemporary societies.
The concepts/themes discussed during the lessons will be:
1. Introduction: communication, culture, and digital media
2. The concept of culture in sociology
3. Face-to-face communication
4. Mass media and massa culture
5. Digital media and convergent culture
6. Platforms and the platformization of culture
7. Social forms in the digital society: communities, audiences, crowds
8. Information disorders + Hate speech and conspiracy theories
9. Algorithmic culture
10. Course and exam recap
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the basic concepts and themes of Sociology of Culture and Communication, and to demonstrate how these evolve, change, and are restructured with the advent of digital media in contemporary societies.
The concepts/themes discussed during the lessons will be:
1. Introduction: communication, culture, and digital media
2. The concept of culture in sociology
3. Face-to-face communication
4. Mass media and massa culture
5. Digital media and convergent culture
6. Platforms and the platformization of culture
7. Social forms in the digital society: communities, audiences, crowds
8. Information disorders + Hate speech and conspiracy theories
9. Algorithmic culture
10. Course and exam recap
Teaching methods
The course includes a mix of lectures, examples, practical exercises, and group discussions. The slides of the lessons are uploaded to the Ariel platform.
Teaching Resources
Slide delle lezioni + materiali di supporto indicati dal docente a lezione e caricati su Ariel.
Bibliografia utile:
· Sciolla, L. & Torrioni P. M. (2020). Sociologia dei processi culturali: Cultura, individui, società. IV Edizione. Bologna: Il Mulino. Solo Capitoli 1 e 2
· Paccagnella, L. (2020). Sociologia della comunicazione nell'era digitale. Bologna: il Mulino. Solo Capitoli: 1, 2 e 3
Bibliografia utile:
· Sciolla, L. & Torrioni P. M. (2020). Sociologia dei processi culturali: Cultura, individui, società. IV Edizione. Bologna: Il Mulino. Solo Capitoli 1 e 2
· Paccagnella, L. (2020). Sociologia della comunicazione nell'era digitale. Bologna: il Mulino. Solo Capitoli: 1, 2 e 3
Antropologia culturale
M-DEA/01 - DEMOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Scovino Carlo
Sociologia dei processi culturali e comunicativi
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 2
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)