Sociology of Communication and Non-Standard Investigation Techniques a.y. 2025-2026 – Corso di laurea magistrale in Scienze pedagogiche

CFU: 12
Course code: 804001009
SSD: SPS/08
Master’s Degree: Scienze pedagogiche
Language: Italian

Course delivery modalities: on-line learning
Period:
Attendance: Compulsory attendance
Assessment method: Oral/written/pratical/exam – Valutazione in itinere

Pre-requisites:
Nothing

Program:
Area 1. The three worlds of thought (thought, language and reality). Generality scale. Reconstruction of semantic maps Area 2. The non-standard methodology and techniques. The example of non-directive interviews Area 3. Collective imagery, representations and social landscapes Area 4. Audience studies Teaching methodology Experimentally, the module will be offered in two ways: a) active online teaching; b) inactive online teaching. Active teaching has two paths: Exercises. Students will be invited for each area to respond to some online exercises will be invited for each area of the program to develop exercises on the teacher’s proposal Multiple choice test on the materials proposed by the teacher (slides, pdf texts) Within 1, 2 and 3, students will be divided into groups to discuss some topics and problems proposed by the teacher

Program:

Area 1. The three worlds of thought (thought, language and reality). Generality scale. Reconstruction of semantic maps
Area 2. The non-standard methodology and techniques. The example of non-directive interviews
Area 3. Collective imagery, representations and social landscapes
Area 4. Audience studies
Teaching methodology
Experimentally, the module will be offered in two ways: a) active online teaching; b) inactive online teaching.
Active teaching has two paths:
Exercises. Students will be invited for each area to respond to some online exercises will be invited for each area of the program to develop exercises on the teacher’s proposal
Multiple choice test on the materials proposed by the teacher (slides, pdf texts)
Within 1, 2 and 3, students will be divided into groups to discuss some topics and problems proposed by the teacher

Text books:
The course will be delivered at a distance. Some of the materials will be available on the moodle platform Il corso sarà erogato a distanza. Alcuni dei materiali saranno reperibili nella piattaforma moodle – Volterrani A. “I tre mondi. Appunti di metodologia della ricerca non standard”, dispense pdf – Marradi A. (2006), Metodologia delle scienze sociali, Il Mulino, Bologna, solo capitolo 1 – Schutz A. (2003), Don Chisciotte e il problema della realtà, Armando Editore, Roma – Volterrani A., Le interviste non standard, video – Prove di interviste non standard (pdf) – Tusini S. (2006), La ricerca come relazione. L’intervista nelle scienze sociali, Franco Angeli, Milano, solo capitolo 4 (pp.118-130) – Videolezione Interviste non standard – Carmagnola, Matera (2008), Genealogie dell’immaginario, Utet, Torino, solo capitoli 12 e 13 – Videolezione Narrazioni mediali – Videolezione 2 URL – Nick Couldry, Audience estesa: uno sguardo all’orizzonte (capitolo 5) – Peruzzi G. Volterrani A. (2016), La comunicazione sociale, Laterza, Bari

Text books:

The course will be delivered at a distance. Some of the materials will be available on the moodle platform
Il corso sarà erogato a distanza. Alcuni dei materiali saranno reperibili nella piattaforma moodle
– Volterrani A. “I tre mondi. Appunti di metodologia della ricerca non standard”, dispense pdf
– Marradi A. (2006), Metodologia delle scienze sociali, Il Mulino, Bologna, solo capitolo 1
– Schutz A. (2003), Don Chisciotte e il problema della realtà, Armando Editore, Roma
– Volterrani A., Le interviste non standard, video
– Prove di interviste non standard (pdf)
– Tusini S. (2006), La ricerca come relazione. L’intervista nelle scienze sociali, Franco Angeli, Milano, solo capitolo 4 (pp.118-130)
– Videolezione Interviste non standard
– Carmagnola, Matera (2008), Genealogie dell’immaginario, Utet, Torino, solo capitoli 12 e 13
– Videolezione Narrazioni mediali – Videolezione 2 URL
– Nick Couldry, Audience estesa: uno sguardo all’orizzonte (capitolo 5)
– Peruzzi G. Volterrani A. (2016), La comunicazione sociale, Laterza, Bari

Bibliography:
Boccia Artieri G., Bentivegna S. (2019), Le teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida digitale, Laterza, Bari

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: a) acquisition of the theoretical bases of the non-standard methodology and of some of the main non-standard techniques (non-directive and unstructured interviews) b) through the adoption of a narrative and process approach to cultures and media, acquisition of knowledge of the collective media imagery, the various types, their genesis, the possible paths of change and transformation with particular reference to social imaginary through the application of some techniques of the non-standard methodology (reconstruction of semantic maps, generality scale, construction of indicators) KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will acquire knowledge and understanding skills on the following topics: a) theoretical basis of non-standard research methodology applied to the media b) relations between the three worlds (thought, language, reality) and scale of generality c) media narratives and contemporary media culture APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge with particular reference to: a) reconstruction of semantic maps b) construction of semantic indicators for evaluation c) construction and realization of non-standard interviews MAKING JUDGEMENTS: Students will be able to face and solve the main non-standard methodology problems independently. They will also be able to analyze and understand the cultural production of contemporary media on their own COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Students will be able to communicate the knowledge acquired in non-standard methodology and sociology of communication with specific properties of language and skills LEARNING SKILLS: Students are given the ability to study and solve more complex methodological problems and to know how to set up a research plan and analysis of contemporary media

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
a) acquisition of the theoretical bases of the non-standard methodology and of some of the main non-standard techniques (non-directive and unstructured interviews)
b) through the adoption of a narrative and process approach to cultures and media, acquisition of knowledge of the collective media imagery, the various types, their genesis, the possible paths of change and transformation with particular reference to social imaginary through the application of some techniques of the non-standard methodology (reconstruction of semantic maps, generality scale, construction of indicators)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Students will acquire knowledge and understanding skills on the following topics:
a) theoretical basis of non-standard research methodology applied to the media
b) relations between the three worlds (thought, language, reality) and scale of generality
c) media narratives and contemporary media culture
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Students will be able to apply the acquired knowledge with particular reference to:
a) reconstruction of semantic maps
b) construction of semantic indicators for evaluation
c) construction and realization of non-standard interviews
MAKING JUDGEMENTS:
Students will be able to face and solve the main non-standard methodology problems independently. They will also be able to analyze and understand the cultural production of contemporary media on their own
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Students will be able to communicate the knowledge acquired in non-standard methodology and sociology of communication with specific properties of language and skills
LEARNING SKILLS:
Students are given the ability to study and solve more complex methodological problems and to know how to set up a research plan and analysis of contemporary media

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The evaluation will be individual through: a) exercises proposed by the teacher during the course of the e-learning course b) realization of a final project to be delivered ten days before the exam Criteria for awarding marks expressed in thirtieths: Not suitable: significant deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalisations. 18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgement. 21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of the topics; correct analysis and synthesis skills with coherent logical argumentation. 24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analytical and synthetic skills with rigorously expressed arguments. 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; Considerable ability to analyse, synthesise. Good autonomy of judgement. 30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of topics. Remarkable analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The evaluation will be individual through:
a) exercises proposed by the teacher during the course of the e-learning course
b) realization of a final project to be delivered ten days before the exam
Criteria for awarding marks expressed in thirtieths:
Not suitable: significant deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited capacity for analysis and synthesis, frequent generalisations.
18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis, synthesis and autonomy of judgement.
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of the topics; correct analysis and synthesis skills with coherent logical argumentation.
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; good analytical and synthetic skills with rigorously expressed arguments.
27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; Considerable ability to analyse, synthesise. Good autonomy of judgement.
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of topics. Remarkable analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner.

Attendance modalities:
The course will be carried out entirely in e-learning through the Moodle platform using an active teaching methodology where students will be protagonists of learning. Will be activated: a) discussion forum b) individual and group exercises on some topics proposed by the teacher c) carrying out practical tests (interviews) Attendance in e-learning is mandatory and will be monitored through both the monitoring tools of the moodle platform and through the direct participation of students in the proposed activities

Attendance modalities:

The course will be carried out entirely in e-learning through the Moodle platform using an active teaching methodology where students will be protagonists of learning.
Will be activated:
a) discussion forum
b) individual and group exercises on some topics proposed by the teacher
c) carrying out practical tests (interviews)
Attendance in e-learning is mandatory and will be monitored through both the monitoring tools of the moodle platform and through the direct participation of students in the proposed activities