Datafied Society
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The main objective of this course is to provide students the fundamental skills for critically reflecting on the 'datafied' society, a new social order based on the systematic extraction, aggregation and manipulation of data about people. Datafication - which is understood as a process that is gradually affecting both market-oriented services (i.e. Airbnb, Uber etc.) and public services (such as education and health) - rests on two interrelated key factors: platforms and algorithms. Digital platforms are programmable architectures designed to shape the way we live and how social, political, cultural and economic life is organized. Platforms operate through algorithms which automatically classify extracted data ordering the social world, and are able to learn from data making predictions. The process of datafication is however negotiated and resisted by users in their everyday life. In particular, the course will discuss the ambivalent nature of contemporary digital activism, proving that media imaginaries and technological myths can be used either to repress and hide authoritarianism or to reinvent democracy.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course students should have acquired the following skills: ability to critically discuss the concept of (commercial) platform and algorithm; knowledge of a multi-layered perspective on platformization including the micro-level of single platforms, the meso-level of the platform ecosystem and the macro-level of platform geopolitics; familiarity with a situated epistemology of algorithms moving beyond the popular conception of the latter as a black box;
awareness of the algorithmic shaping of subsystems such as journalism, urban transport, health care and education; comprehension of hybrid media activism including ability to discuss the fallacies of 'communicative reductionism' (i.e. spatial dualism, one-medium bias, presentism, technological visibility, alternativeness); acquaintance with appropriation processes of digital media by movements and parties in the Italian, Mexican and Spanish contexts. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in relation to: knowledge and understanding of the main concepts developed in the debate on the Datafied society, critical presentation of case studies and empirical results related to the topics discussed during the course.
awareness of the algorithmic shaping of subsystems such as journalism, urban transport, health care and education; comprehension of hybrid media activism including ability to discuss the fallacies of 'communicative reductionism' (i.e. spatial dualism, one-medium bias, presentism, technological visibility, alternativeness); acquaintance with appropriation processes of digital media by movements and parties in the Italian, Mexican and Spanish contexts. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in relation to: knowledge and understanding of the main concepts developed in the debate on the Datafied society, critical presentation of case studies and empirical results related to the topics discussed during the course.
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
Course syllabus
To introduce the main working mechanisms of the Datafied Society, the module will cover four main themes:
1) The relationship between the platformisation and datafication of society;
2) The relationship between platform power and user agency in the datafied society;
3) The relationship between datafication and the recent developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
4) Exploring alternative and bottom-up datafication processes.
To begin with, the module will analyse the role of digital platforms as the key infrastructures in the digital society and as the engines of the datafication of society. The discussion will focus on the features of the platforms, their functioning mechanisms, and the ethical challenges arising from the clash between digital platforms' value systems and the public interest. Users' agency and resistance vis-à-vis digital platforms in the datafied society will also be analysed.
Then, the focus will shift to Big Data and AI in order to deepen the understanding of how the current rise of AI - and especially Generative AI - models is deeply related to the datafication of society. The implications and the ethical challenges deriving from this link will also be explored.
Finally, the module will explore and critically discuss the possibilities to democratise the datafied society and challenge its premises. In particular, the focus will be on experimentations - mainly led by groups of individuals and NGOs - that are developing alternative, bottom-up datafication processes.
Students attending the course will be asked to develop and deliver a group oral presentation on the topics mentioned above.
1) The relationship between the platformisation and datafication of society;
2) The relationship between platform power and user agency in the datafied society;
3) The relationship between datafication and the recent developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
4) Exploring alternative and bottom-up datafication processes.
To begin with, the module will analyse the role of digital platforms as the key infrastructures in the digital society and as the engines of the datafication of society. The discussion will focus on the features of the platforms, their functioning mechanisms, and the ethical challenges arising from the clash between digital platforms' value systems and the public interest. Users' agency and resistance vis-à-vis digital platforms in the datafied society will also be analysed.
Then, the focus will shift to Big Data and AI in order to deepen the understanding of how the current rise of AI - and especially Generative AI - models is deeply related to the datafication of society. The implications and the ethical challenges deriving from this link will also be explored.
Finally, the module will explore and critically discuss the possibilities to democratise the datafied society and challenge its premises. In particular, the focus will be on experimentations - mainly led by groups of individuals and NGOs - that are developing alternative, bottom-up datafication processes.
Students attending the course will be asked to develop and deliver a group oral presentation on the topics mentioned above.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements for the module. Some prior knowledge of and understanding about digital cultures and the social and cultural effects of algorithms is recommended.
Teaching methods
First half of the module: frontal lectures.
Second half of the module: seminarial discussions based on the oral presentations of the students.
Second half of the module: seminarial discussions based on the oral presentations of the students.
Teaching Resources
Mandatory readings for attending students:
The reading list for attending student is available on the Ariel platform. Every week, attending students are required to read the mandatory reading of the week and strongly encouraged to read at least one recommended reading of their interest. Attending students are expected to have read the mandatory reading before the first lecture of the week.
Mandatory Readings for non-attending students:
Non attending students are required to study the following books. Please note: all the books are available in Open Access and can be freely read and/or downloaded in pdf format from their publisher's website.
1- Bonini T and Treré E (2024) Algorithms of Resistance: The Everyday Fight against Platform Power. The MIT Press. Note: the book is available in open-access format at https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/14329.001.0001.
2- Van Es, K., & Verhoeff, N. (2023). Situating data: Inquiries in algorithmic culture. Amsterdam University Press. Please note: Non-attending students are required to study the chapters included in Part 1, 2, and 4 of the book. The chapters included in Part 3 (pp. 189-254) are not part of the examination.
The reading list for attending student is available on the Ariel platform. Every week, attending students are required to read the mandatory reading of the week and strongly encouraged to read at least one recommended reading of their interest. Attending students are expected to have read the mandatory reading before the first lecture of the week.
Mandatory Readings for non-attending students:
Non attending students are required to study the following books. Please note: all the books are available in Open Access and can be freely read and/or downloaded in pdf format from their publisher's website.
1- Bonini T and Treré E (2024) Algorithms of Resistance: The Everyday Fight against Platform Power. The MIT Press. Note: the book is available in open-access format at https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/14329.001.0001.
2- Van Es, K., & Verhoeff, N. (2023). Situating data: Inquiries in algorithmic culture. Amsterdam University Press. Please note: Non-attending students are required to study the chapters included in Part 1, 2, and 4 of the book. The chapters included in Part 3 (pp. 189-254) are not part of the examination.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods for attending students:
The evaluation will be based on two pieces of assessment: a) An in-class written essay asking to critically reflect on the content of the module starting from a question (60%); an oral in-class group presentation on a case study related to the topics of the course (40%). Further information for attending students will be provided on the Ariel platform and during the lectures.
Assessment methods for non-attending students:
The evaluation will be based on a written exam with open-ended questions, assessing knowledge and critical understanding of the main concepts developed in the debate on the Datafied society. Answers will be evaluated taking into consideration: synthesis, clarity and argumentative quality, exhaustiveness and competence in the use of specialistic terminology. Further information for non-attending students will be provided on the Ariel platform.
The evaluation will be based on two pieces of assessment: a) An in-class written essay asking to critically reflect on the content of the module starting from a question (60%); an oral in-class group presentation on a case study related to the topics of the course (40%). Further information for attending students will be provided on the Ariel platform and during the lectures.
Assessment methods for non-attending students:
The evaluation will be based on a written exam with open-ended questions, assessing knowledge and critical understanding of the main concepts developed in the debate on the Datafied society. Answers will be evaluated taking into consideration: synthesis, clarity and argumentative quality, exhaustiveness and competence in the use of specialistic terminology. Further information for non-attending students will be provided on the Ariel platform.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Gerosa Alessandro, Keeling Silvia
Professor(s)