The main objective of the course of Sociology of Digital Media is to stimulate a critical awareness on the use of digital communication tools and forms, from social media to Artificial Intelligence. Through a selection of authors and works presented and discussed by Mario Ricciardi in his "Communico. Linguaggi, immagini, algoritmi" (TAB, 2020), on which students will be asked to develop written responses, we will highlight the aggressive, competitive and manipulative techniques that prevail on the media scene today. The analysis of our own interactions on social media will form the basis for reflecting on how the network transforms and manipulates our emotions and behavior. In the second part, the concept of “geopolitics of digital knowledge” will be introduced and analyzed, and we will address a specific case study, namely the phenomenon of oligopoly of scientific publishing and the hegemonic role of the Anglosphere in the production of knowledge.
teacher profile teaching materials
Programme
In the first part of the course, we will analyze and discuss the key authors and works in the sociology of media featured in Mario Ricciardi’s book, Communico. Linguaggi, immagini, algoritmi (TAB Edizioni, 2021). Students will be asked to submit written responses to the readings (typically divided into three sections) via the forum available on the Moodle platform. These responses will be presented and discussed in class in the following days, fostering an exchange of the various perspectives that emerge from the submissions. In the second part, we will introduce and analyze the concept and practice of the “geopolitics of digital knowledge”—that is, the forms and structures through which access to knowledge is constructed today, including the role of AI in the global landscape. Finally, we will examine a specific case study: the phenomenon of oligopolistic concentration in international scientific publishing and the hegemonic role of the Anglosphere in the production of knowledge.Core Documentation
Throughout the course, a series of materials and handouts—including readings and PowerPoint slides—will be distributed and posted on Moodle. However, both attending and non-attending students are required to study Mario Ricciardi’s book, “Communico. Linguaggi, immagini, algoritmi” (TAB Edizioni, Rome, 2021).Attendance
Since this is a course with practical implications, attendance is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
For students attending at least 70% of classes (50/64 hours), and who have diligently carried out all class activities during the semester, the final exam will be a written questionnaire consisting of three open questions based on the volume edited by Ricciardi (cf. Mario Ricciardi, "Communico", TAB, 2021). Practical sessions during the course consist of: 1) individual comments published on the online group or mailing list; 2) exercises; 3) individual research that will be assigned during the second part of the course. Each of these activities will be marked and assessed separately, and the final mark will be the result of an overall evaluation. For example: Activity I: 28; Activity II: 25; Activity III: 30; final written questionnaire: 27. Final mark: 27.5. All foreign students who are not attending the course are required to contact the instructor to arrange an ad-hoc programme and will be assigned a reading list (see also "Testi").