The course "Digital media" addresses critical issues related in particular to the spread of these media. The original features of these media change the perspectives and tools with which traditional media have been analyzed and interpreted. The course will address these changes with an approach that combines theoretical analysis and the practice of these media with the study of critical tools useful for understanding the social transformations induced by digital media.
Attending students
Lecture notes and course presentations
G. Balbi, P. Magaudda, Storia dei media digitali, Laterza, Bari, 2014
L. Paccagnella, Sociologia della comunicazione nell'era digitale, il Mulino, Bologna, 2020 (Capitoli 1, 4 e 5)
Non-attending students (a text of your choice to be added to those for attending students)
Lecture notes and course presentations
R. Nicoletti, C. Vendi, Introduzione all'ergonomia cognitiva, Carocci, Roma, 2021
M. Delmastro, A. Nicita, Big Data. Come stanno cambiando il nostro mondo, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2019
Recommended readings
C. Garofalo, F. Gallucci, M. Diotto, Manuale di Neuromarketing, Hoepli, Milano, 2021 (Capitoli 1, 2 e 6)
S. Splendore, Giornalismo ibrido, Carocci, Roma, 2017
Learning Objectives
General knowledge of the basic concepts of sociology of communication, with particular reference to digital media. Understanding of digital media from both a sociological and technological point of view and of their effects on individuals and society. Development of autonomous judgement, analytical and interpretative skills in relation to the social and individual practices of digital media. Knowledge of some basic tools to operate in the world of digital media and learning how to use some digital media and related techniques to enhance one's communication skills in the digital world.
By the end of the course the student will have acquired a general knowledge of digital media, their evolution and their impact on individuals and society. They will also have learned specific techniques for analysing and evaluating digital media practices, as well as some tools for a conscious and critical use of these media. They will therefore be able to study the discipline independently and put the knowledge they have acquired into practice not only in the event of continuing their university studies, but also in their daily lives.
Prerequisites
Teaching containing the prerequisites (binding and / or recommended):
General knowledge of the Internet, the web and social media (recommended)
Basic knowledge of Windows and / or Mac OS X and / or Linux operating systems (recommended)
Basic knowledge of the main application software (word processing, images, presentations etc.) (recommended)
Teaching Methods
- Frontal lessons
- Classroom exercises
- Group discussion in the classroom
- Individual works
- Group work
Further information
For attending students the exercises during the course are valid as intermediate tests
The examination program for non-attending students includes the study of a further text in addition to those provided for attending students
Type of Assessment
1) Practical exercises during the course
2) Final oral exam
The final examination is designed to ascertain the acquisition of learning outcomes by means of an oral test, without the aid of notes, books or other tools. The test consists of a series of open questions, to which reasoned answers must be provided, aimed at verifying the possession and depth of the knowledge acquired in relation to the topics covered in the teaching programme, as well as assessing the ability to orient, contextualise, synthesise, argue and problematise. The final assessment is given not only on the demonstration of the knowledge and skills acquired, but also on the ability to organise them in a clear, effective and linear discourse, on the ability to critically reason about the topics addressed and on the quality of the exposition.
During the course, there will be an individual written test and a group test, both of which are intended for students attending the course. The individual test consists of a series of open questions on the topics of the programme dealt with so far, and is aimed at checking the level of learning on the first part of the course, as well as detecting the presence of any critical points of understanding on specific topics. The evaluation of the test is given in thirtieths and, if sufficient (from 18 upwards) and accepted, it allows the student to take the oral exam only on the second part of the programme (with the grade awarded being averaged with that of the oral exam). Those who receive a negative assessment must take the whole syllabus in the oral examination.
The written group test is only given a qualitative assessment and is used on the one hand to check the students' attendance, and on the other hand to assess their ability to work in a team and to mediate on different positions, until a common and satisfactory objective is reached for all. The return to the classroom is done by asking the students to present their group work to the class, so that they can comment on it and discuss it together.
Course program
1) Introduction to the study of digital media
(socio-technological evolution of media, mediology and communication)
2) Digital media
(definitions, characteristics, analogy / differences with traditional media, etc.)
3) Internet and the WWW
(historical outlines, technological hints, social, economic, cultural impact)
4) Forms and languages of digital media: hypertextuality and interactivity
(definitions, from text to hypertext, the web as hypertext)
5) Forms and languages of digital media: multimedia, transmedia, crossmedia
(definitions, case studies, writing techniques)
6) From web 1.0 to web 2.0 and beyond
(transition, meanings, problems)
7) Social media
(classification, characteristics, methods, identity on the net, mediation vs disintermediation, etc.)
8) Search engines, Deep Web, Dark Web
(information overload, algorithms, obscure areas of the web, risks and opportunities)
9) Content marketing vs Content curation
(definitions, tools, techniques, case studies)
10) Information, misinformation, misinformation
(fake news, debunking, echo chamber, confirmation bias etc.)
11) Frontiers of digital media
(virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, deepfake etc.)