Ai and data cultures
A.A. 2025/2026
Obiettivi formativi
The main objective of this course is to build a critical understanding of digital cultures and their empirical study, placing a specific focus on how generative artificial intelligence affects both knowledge construction and creative processes. Students will be encouraged to develop an original research design and to conduct their own analysis of a digital phenomenon. Particular attention will also be paid to the challenges of using AI as a research tool and the implications for cultural and professional practices
Risultati apprendimento attesi
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- understand the fundamental principles of sociological research in the digital field and the role played by AI (both generative and non-generative) within it;
- apply basic methods of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing digital data;
- develop independent judgment in evaluating applications and discourses related to AI; recognize the limits, potential, and epistemological implications of AI in social research;
- integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to critically analyse digital phenomena and their social and cultural impact.
- understand the fundamental principles of sociological research in the digital field and the role played by AI (both generative and non-generative) within it;
- apply basic methods of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing digital data;
- develop independent judgment in evaluating applications and discourses related to AI; recognize the limits, potential, and epistemological implications of AI in social research;
- integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to critically analyse digital phenomena and their social and cultural impact.
Periodo: Terzo trimestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento può essere seguito come corso singolo.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Terzo trimestre
Programma
The programme combines theoretical lectures and practical workshops, aimed at helping students acquire practical skills for a sociologically informed analysis of digital phenomena. After a brief introduction to generative AI, its underlying social and cultural dynamics and its critical aspects, the course focuses on the different stages of digital research: digital data collection, the use of AI as a research tool, the analysis of digital data through various techniques (network analysis, content and visual analysis), and data visualization. Students will have the opportunity to apply these techniques and tools during dedicated workshops and tutorials, which will guide them in the preparation of the final assignment.
Lectures are held in English.
Lectures are held in English.
Prerequisiti
Basic command of Microsoft Excel (e.g. Pivot tables), attendance of the course 'Social media and platform cultures' is recommended but not mandatory.
Metodi didattici
Lectures and in-class activities.
Materiale di riferimento
Main texts:
Gray, J.W. (2025). Public Data Cultures. Polity.
Rogers, R. (2024). Doing Digital Methods. Sage Publications. Readings and additional materials will be made available during the lessons.
Gray, J.W. (2025). Public Data Cultures. Polity.
Rogers, R. (2024). Doing Digital Methods. Sage Publications. Readings and additional materials will be made available during the lessons.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
· Attending students: mid-term tests + oral exam
· Non-attending students: oral exam
· Non-attending students: oral exam
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGIA DEI PROCESSI CULTURALI E COMUNICATIVI - CFU: 6
Lezioni: 40 ore
Docente:
Giorgi Giulia
Docente/i