Sociology of Cultural Production and Consumption
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This course is designed to introduce students to sociology applied to cultural production and consumption, providing examples of symbolic goods and examining the functioning of cultural industries that produce them. The course also aims to analyse consumption practices and the related dynamics of differentiation and identification. Finally, it provides the tools to recognise, analyse and critically interpret cultural products and consumptions, as well as tools for their promotion.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the following outcomes: knowledge of the main theories in the field of sociology of cultural production and consumption; understanding of the texts of the authors studied; ability to identify cultural products and their symbolic meaning, understanding the interactions between consumption and production dynamics and applying their knowledge to real cases.
Lesson period: Second semester
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 semester
Course syllabus
The course explores the social processes that regulate the production, circulation, and consumption of contemporary culture, drawing examples from key areas such as music, sports, food, fashion, and art.
The course analyzes how these sectors are structured through networks of actors, institutions, and quality conventions that define specific social fields. Cultural products are studied not only as objects of consumption, but as expressions of power, identity, and social distinction, where market logics constantly interweave with symbolic ones. Particular attention is devoted to the processes of appropriation of material and symbolic goods and to the legitimation dynamics that traverse art worlds, subcultures, and everyday practices.
The course will examine the mechanisms through which taste is formed and transformed, exploring how consumption practices operate simultaneously as forms of personal expression and instruments of social classification. The course also focuses on contemporary digital transformations: streaming platforms, social media, visibility algorithms, and new models of "participatory" consumption are redefining the modes of cultural production and consumption. The interaction between cultural products and inequalities is further explored, analyzing how gender, ethnicity, social class, cultural capital, and geographical origin influence the consumption and production of cultural products.
The course analyzes how these sectors are structured through networks of actors, institutions, and quality conventions that define specific social fields. Cultural products are studied not only as objects of consumption, but as expressions of power, identity, and social distinction, where market logics constantly interweave with symbolic ones. Particular attention is devoted to the processes of appropriation of material and symbolic goods and to the legitimation dynamics that traverse art worlds, subcultures, and everyday practices.
The course will examine the mechanisms through which taste is formed and transformed, exploring how consumption practices operate simultaneously as forms of personal expression and instruments of social classification. The course also focuses on contemporary digital transformations: streaming platforms, social media, visibility algorithms, and new models of "participatory" consumption are redefining the modes of cultural production and consumption. The interaction between cultural products and inequalities is further explored, analyzing how gender, ethnicity, social class, cultural capital, and geographical origin influence the consumption and production of cultural products.
Prerequisites for admission
It is highly recommended to have already taken the exam in Sociology of Cultural Processes. Curiosity, passion, and a willingness to study are also expected.
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 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. The reference platform, on which essays, exercises, tests, and any teaching aids will be posted, will be Moodle.
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. The reference platform, on which essays, exercises, tests, and any teaching aids will be posted, will be Moodle.
Teaching Resources
Reference materials will be indicated at the beginning of the course and can be found on the course's MyAriel page.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students can choose between two assessment tracks:
TRACK A - Progressive Assessment
The assessment will result from a weighted evaluation of three components, according to the percentage values indicated in parentheses:
## 1. Group Work on Course Materials (20%)
**Groups:** Approximately 6 students per group (established by the beginning of week 2, fixed throughout the course)
**Assignments:** Starting from week 2, a specific practical assignment will be given approximately every week to serve as an exercise for connecting concepts to the empirical dimension (6 total assignments throughout the course)
**Format:** Variable output according to the assignment, to be uploaded on Moodle by the deadline
**Presentations:** Selected works will be presented in class by the groups (10 minutes + discussion)
**Assessment Process:**
- Each week, 4 assignments are graded and discussed
- Assignments also undergo peer assessment to enable progressive improvement
- At the end of the course, 2 assignments per group will be evaluated: one chosen by the group itself, the other randomly selected by the instructor from the remaining ones
- The group work grade is the average of the two evaluated assignments
## 2. Open-Ended Tests (35%)
**Format:** Two in-person tests
- Test 1 (after week 5): on the first thematic units - 17.5%
- Test 2 (after week 10): on the remaining thematic units - 17.5%
**Structure:** Brief open-ended questions on the concepts and perspectives addressed (time: 75 minutes per test)
**Minimum Threshold:** To continue in Track A, an average of the two tests ≥ 17.5/30 is required. Students who do not reach this threshold must take the exam according to Track B
## 3. Term Paper (40%)
**Submission:** At least 15 days before the chosen exam session for grade registration
**Content:** Sociologically-oriented analysis of a case study through the application of concepts addressed in the course, with reference to the essays and materials analyzed
**Format:** Precise guidelines (page count, structure) will be provided in class and on Moodle when the assignment is given, at the end of the course
**Verification:** During the chosen exam session for grade registration, each student will participate in an individual 10-12 minute oral examination on their term paper. The oral examination serves to verify mastery of the concepts employed, authenticity of the work, and ability to respond to in-depth questions.
## 4. Participation and Overall Learning Process (5%)
The remaining 5% of the grade will consist of:
- Assessment of individual contribution to in-class discussions on texts assigned for weekly reading (questions and observations via Wooclap)
- Evaluation of the overall learning trajectory (progressive improvement in tests, group work, and term paper)
---
# TRACK B - Standard Assessment
Students will be evaluated on the same syllabus as Track A (textbook + essays assigned weekly and uploaded on Moodle).
**Examination in Two Parts:**
## Part 1 - Open-Ended Test (40%)
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Format: Open-ended questions designed to assess knowledge of the required bibliography
## Part 2 - Analysis and Application Questions (60%)
- Duration: 75 minutes
- First Question (30%): A text/case will be provided for commentary using course concepts
- Second Question (30%): Analysis of an everyday life situation employing concepts learned during the course
**Total Examination Time:** 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes)
TRACK A - Progressive Assessment
The assessment will result from a weighted evaluation of three components, according to the percentage values indicated in parentheses:
## 1. Group Work on Course Materials (20%)
**Groups:** Approximately 6 students per group (established by the beginning of week 2, fixed throughout the course)
**Assignments:** Starting from week 2, a specific practical assignment will be given approximately every week to serve as an exercise for connecting concepts to the empirical dimension (6 total assignments throughout the course)
**Format:** Variable output according to the assignment, to be uploaded on Moodle by the deadline
**Presentations:** Selected works will be presented in class by the groups (10 minutes + discussion)
**Assessment Process:**
- Each week, 4 assignments are graded and discussed
- Assignments also undergo peer assessment to enable progressive improvement
- At the end of the course, 2 assignments per group will be evaluated: one chosen by the group itself, the other randomly selected by the instructor from the remaining ones
- The group work grade is the average of the two evaluated assignments
## 2. Open-Ended Tests (35%)
**Format:** Two in-person tests
- Test 1 (after week 5): on the first thematic units - 17.5%
- Test 2 (after week 10): on the remaining thematic units - 17.5%
**Structure:** Brief open-ended questions on the concepts and perspectives addressed (time: 75 minutes per test)
**Minimum Threshold:** To continue in Track A, an average of the two tests ≥ 17.5/30 is required. Students who do not reach this threshold must take the exam according to Track B
## 3. Term Paper (40%)
**Submission:** At least 15 days before the chosen exam session for grade registration
**Content:** Sociologically-oriented analysis of a case study through the application of concepts addressed in the course, with reference to the essays and materials analyzed
**Format:** Precise guidelines (page count, structure) will be provided in class and on Moodle when the assignment is given, at the end of the course
**Verification:** During the chosen exam session for grade registration, each student will participate in an individual 10-12 minute oral examination on their term paper. The oral examination serves to verify mastery of the concepts employed, authenticity of the work, and ability to respond to in-depth questions.
## 4. Participation and Overall Learning Process (5%)
The remaining 5% of the grade will consist of:
- Assessment of individual contribution to in-class discussions on texts assigned for weekly reading (questions and observations via Wooclap)
- Evaluation of the overall learning trajectory (progressive improvement in tests, group work, and term paper)
---
# TRACK B - Standard Assessment
Students will be evaluated on the same syllabus as Track A (textbook + essays assigned weekly and uploaded on Moodle).
**Examination in Two Parts:**
## Part 1 - Open-Ended Test (40%)
- Duration: 75 minutes
- Format: Open-ended questions designed to assess knowledge of the required bibliography
## Part 2 - Analysis and Application Questions (60%)
- Duration: 75 minutes
- First Question (30%): A text/case will be provided for commentary using course concepts
- Second Question (30%): Analysis of an everyday life situation employing concepts learned during the course
**Total Examination Time:** 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes)
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
De Benedittis Mario
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 14.30-17.30 by appointment via email until 23 Febraury 2026. Then, Tuesday 14.30-15.30 and Thursday 16-18.
1st floor, room 1044 (Sesto)