Sociology of Cultural Processes
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with an overview on the symbolic and performative dimension of culture, focusing on the circular relationship between meanings and social actions, and between symbols and practices, so as to better understand social processes, starting from classification, categorisation and identification.
Expected learning outcomes
Students should be able to understand sociological texts, master the key topics of the sociological analysis of cultural processes, and apply them to social and real-life situations.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Surname A-K
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The program is divided into two parts. In the first part, a path is proposed that moves from the construction of meaning as a constitutive object of inquiry in the sociology of culture, and dwells on the dynamics of learning, the formation of cognitive and classification categories, interpretive processes, the workings of common sense, the social construction of tastes, hierarchies, symbolic boundaries, and the link with corporeality (sex, gender, aging, birth, death), allowing for the study of culture in action in the different spheres of social life. In the second part, through a reference to classical and contemporary studies, we will focus on some temporal, spatial and bodily practices, touching on issues such as the construction of boundaries, the sense of dwelling, the relationship between social and subjective times, collective memory, the social meaning of age and generations, making use of examples from films and novels and the dynamics of specific social fields (sports, music, food and wine, etc.).
In summary, an attempt will be made to read from a sociological perspective the different connotations that the concept of culture takes on and its links to the multiple spheres of everyday reality. Students will therefore be required to develop the ability to read and understand sociological texts, master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes, and finally analyze content from newspaper articles and video excerpts from films in light of the concepts proposed during the course.
In summary, an attempt will be made to read from a sociological perspective the different connotations that the concept of culture takes on and its links to the multiple spheres of everyday reality. Students will therefore be required to develop the ability to read and understand sociological texts, master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes, and finally analyze content from newspaper articles and video excerpts from films in light of the concepts proposed during the course.
Prerequisites for admission
The requirements are a good humanistic culture, curiosity and an ability to observe and describe the world. A subscription to the Moodle learning platform on MyAriel is compulsory, so that you can find the course materials and interact with the professor.
Teaching methods
The course will follow a flipped classroom format (lectures, after the introductory week, take place FOLLOWING individual readings assigned each week to be completed at home, and will respond to questions and observations, clarifying difficult points, etc., and then subsequently introduce new concepts preparatory to the following readings). The course page on the Moodle platform will be the main reference point for the course. During classroom lectures, dialogue between students and instructor will be encouraged and solicited - within the limits of the large number of students enrolled in the course - through moments of collective clarification on readings completed independently and in groups, using interactive (e.g., instant polling) and multimedia tools. It is necessary to attend class with a device that allows connection to Moodle (mobile phone, iPad, PC).
Those intending to attend the course must therefore, each week, participate in the face-to-face classroom lecture, read the indicated material and/or made available by the instructor, and propose questions/reflections on what has been read. The amount of weekly readings will be approximately 70 pages, divided between parts of the textbook and essays assigned by the instructor lesson by lesson. The reference platform, on which essays, exercises, tests, and any teaching aids will be posted, will be Moodle.
Learning Outcomes: Students attending this course are expected to acquire three fundamental competencies:
The ability to read and understand texts of a sociological nature
The ability to master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes
The ability to employ theoretical concepts learned in analyzing everyday life situations
Those intending to attend the course must therefore, each week, participate in the face-to-face classroom lecture, read the indicated material and/or made available by the instructor, and propose questions/reflections on what has been read. The amount of weekly readings will be approximately 70 pages, divided between parts of the textbook and essays assigned by the instructor lesson by lesson. The reference platform, on which essays, exercises, tests, and any teaching aids will be posted, will be Moodle.
Learning Outcomes: Students attending this course are expected to acquire three fundamental competencies:
The ability to read and understand texts of a sociological nature
The ability to master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes
The ability to employ theoretical concepts learned in analyzing everyday life situations
Teaching Resources
Mario de Benedittis, Sociologia della cultura, Laterza Editore.
Readings uploaded during the course within the Moodle platform
Readings uploaded during the course within the Moodle platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will be evaluated on the assigned bibliography. The exam will consist of a two-part assessment. The first part will consist of a test composed of 30 closed-ended questions, aimed at evaluating knowledge of the required reading materials, to be completed in 35 minutes. This part of the exam is considered preparatory to continuing the assessment: a grade below 17.5 will result in failing the exam. The second part of the exam will consist of two open-ended questions to be answered in 60 minutes. In the first, students will be provided with a text to comment on. In the second, they will be asked to analyze an everyday life situation using concepts learned during the course.
The final grade will be composed of 40% from the closed-ended written test, 30% from the response to the first open-ended question, and 30% from the response to the second.
A bonus on the final grade will be linked to contributions made to class discussions by posting questions weekly on the Moodle page through specific Wooclap activities.
The final grade will be composed of 40% from the closed-ended written test, 30% from the response to the first open-ended question, and 30% from the response to the second.
A bonus on the final grade will be linked to contributions made to class discussions by posting questions weekly on the Moodle page through specific Wooclap activities.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
De Benedittis Mario
Surname L-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The program is divided into two parts. In the first part, a path is proposed that moves from the construction of meaning as a constitutive object of inquiry in the sociology of culture, and dwells on the dynamics of learning, the formation of cognitive and classification categories, interpretive processes, the workings of common sense, the social construction of tastes, hierarchies, symbolic boundaries, and the link with corporeality (sex, gender, aging, birth, death), allowing for the study of culture in action in the different spheres of social life. In the second part, through a reference to classical and contemporary studies, we will focus on some temporal, spatial and bodily practices, touching on issues such as the construction of boundaries, the sense of dwelling, the relationship between social and subjective times, collective memory, the social meaning of age and generations, making use of examples from films and novels and the dynamics of specific social fields (sports, music, food and wine, etc.).
In summary, an attempt will be made to read from a sociological perspective the different connotations that the concept of culture takes on and its links to the multiple spheres of everyday reality. Students will therefore be required to develop the ability to read and understand sociological texts, master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes, and finally analyze content from newspaper articles and video excerpts from films in light of the concepts proposed during the course.
In summary, an attempt will be made to read from a sociological perspective the different connotations that the concept of culture takes on and its links to the multiple spheres of everyday reality. Students will therefore be required to develop the ability to read and understand sociological texts, master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes, and finally analyze content from newspaper articles and video excerpts from films in light of the concepts proposed during the course.
Prerequisites for admission
The requirements are a good humanistic culture, curiosity and an ability to observe and describe the world. A subscription to the Moodle learning platform on MyAriel is compulsory, so that you can find the course materials and interact with the professor.
Teaching methods
The course will follow a flipped classroom format (lectures, after the introductory week, take place FOLLOWING individual readings assigned each week to be completed at home, and will respond to questions and observations, clarifying difficult points, etc., and then subsequently introduce new concepts preparatory to the following readings). The course page on the Moodle platform will be the main reference point for the course. During classroom lectures, dialogue between students and instructor will be encouraged and solicited - within the limits of the large number of students enrolled in the course - through moments of collective clarification on readings completed independently, using interactive (e.g., instant polling) and multimedia tools. It is necessary to attend class with a device that allows connection to Moodle (mobile phone, iPad, PC).
Those intending to attend the course must therefore, each week, participate in the face-to-face classroom lecture, read the indicated material and/or made available by the instructor, and propose questions/reflections on what has been read. The amount of weekly readings will be approximately 70 pages, divided between parts of the textbook and essays assigned by the instructor lesson by lesson. The reference platform, on which essays, exercises, tests, and any teaching aids will be posted, will be Moodle.
Learning Outcomes: Students attending this course are expected to acquire three fundamental competencies:
The ability to read and understand texts of a sociological nature
The ability to master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes
The ability to employ theoretical concepts learned in analyzing everyday life situations
Those intending to attend the course must therefore, each week, participate in the face-to-face classroom lecture, read the indicated material and/or made available by the instructor, and propose questions/reflections on what has been read. The amount of weekly readings will be approximately 70 pages, divided between parts of the textbook and essays assigned by the instructor lesson by lesson. The reference platform, on which essays, exercises, tests, and any teaching aids will be posted, will be Moodle.
Learning Outcomes: Students attending this course are expected to acquire three fundamental competencies:
The ability to read and understand texts of a sociological nature
The ability to master key concepts and themes of sociological reflection on cultural processes
The ability to employ theoretical concepts learned in analyzing everyday life situations
Teaching Resources
Mario de Benedittis, Sociologia della cultura, Laterza Editore.
Readings uploaded during the course within the Moodle platform
Readings uploaded during the course within the Moodle platform
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will be evaluated on the assigned bibliography. The exam will consist of a two-part assessment. The first part will consist of a test composed of 30 closed-ended questions, aimed at evaluating knowledge of the required reading materials, to be completed in 35 minutes. This part of the exam is considered preparatory to continuing the assessment: a grade below 17.5 will result in failing the exam. The second part of the exam will consist of two open-ended questions to be answered in 60 minutes. In the first, students will be provided with a text to comment on. In the second, they will be asked to analyze an everyday life situation using concepts learned during the course.
The final grade will be composed of 40% from the closed-ended written test, 30% from the response to the first open-ended question, and 30% from the response to the second.
A bonus on the final grade will be linked to contributions made to class discussions by posting questions weekly on the Moodle page through specific Wooclap activities.
The final grade will be composed of 40% from the closed-ended written test, 30% from the response to the first open-ended question, and 30% from the response to the second.
A bonus on the final grade will be linked to contributions made to class discussions by posting questions weekly on the Moodle page through specific Wooclap activities.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
De Benedittis Mario
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 14.30-17.30 by appointment via email. Last office day july 24th 2025. Office hours will resume on september 11th 2025
1st floor, room 1044 (Sesto)