COMMUNICATION THEORIES AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Course objectives

General Objective The aim of the course is to analyze in depth mass communication theories and the new forms of communication developed in digital platforms, with particular attention to the Social Network Sites and to the convergence process of traditional media with IP based technologies. Specific Objectives. Knowledge and understanding. The course aims at analyzing and developing mastery over the vocabulary and theoretical models of mass communications, the evolution of the internet and digital platforms (publishing, distribution, social networking), the user experience that characterizes non-linear vision of audio-video content. The acquired knowledge offers a strong base of reference for understanding the transformations of communication in the phase of media convergence. Applying knowledge and understanding. Moreover the course aims at developing specific skills with respect to social media to apply in the different fields of communication. Making judgements. Attention will be dedicated, through specific discussion moments inside the lessons, also to the economic, political and social impacts produced by the ubiquitous presence of media platforms in everyday life, with the aim to develop critical distance and autonomy of judgment with respect to relevant topics that arouse social alarm. Communication skills. The course aims at promoting the ability to communicate information, ideas and knowledges through strong interaction with professors and other participants during lessons and the oral exam; Learning skills. The course aims at promoting the learning skills that are necessary to continue to undertake further study about the evolution of the digital media with a good degree of autonomy. In fact the skills acquired are preparatory to the project work students will perform in the MSc programs of the Department and ensure adequate autonomy in the professional experience.

Channel 1
GIOVANNI CIOFALO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The first part of the course focuses on the theoretical framework of the communication theories. From the hypodermic theory to the theory of the dependence from media, the aim is to verify the validity of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of the past in the light of the new medial landscape and of the socio-cultural and technological transformations of the current society of information. The second part of the course focuses more specifically on the new media, analyses the technological and social transformations linked to the diffusion of the Internet (from web 1.0 to the Internet of the things) and focuses its attention on the relation between social media and politics. Finally, the last part of the course will provide a slice of issues and areas that will be explored in the near future: journalism studies, social media marketing tools, television and audience studies. The teaching model includes lectures, intercattedra seminars, use of telematic and interactive supports that will facilitate the acquisition and deepening of the knowledge necessary to successfully pass the evaluation test. The training objectives will be achieved through the continuous peer comparison with the colleagues of the course and with the teachers in order to develop skills in team work and problem solving.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Books
EXAM PROGRAMME The exam programme consists of three texts: 1. FIRST TEXT:
G. Boccia Artieri, S. Bentivegna, Le teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida digitale, Laterza, Rome–Bari, 2019. 2. SECOND TEXT:
C. Riva, G. Ciofalo, P. Degli Esposti, R. Stella, Sociologia dei Media, Utet Università, Milan, 2022.
(For students who took the “Sociology of Communication” exam – channel A–L – in the 2024–25 academic year with Prof. Ugolini, the chapters included in the exam are the following: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). 3. THIRD TEXT – CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: * C.A. Scolari, M. Freeman, P. Bertetti, Transmedia Archaeology. Fantascienza, pulp, fumetti, Armando Editore, Rome, 2020. * M. Antenore, S. Splendore (eds.), Data Journalism. Essential Guide to Journalism Done with Numbers, Mondadori, Milan, 2017. * L. Parisi, Where 2.0. Digital Media and the Experience of Place, Guerini, 2018. * J. van Dijck, T. Poell, M. de Waal, Platform Society. Public Values and a Connected Society, Guerini Scientifica, Milan, 2019. * A. Greenfield, Radical Technologies: The Design of Everyday Life, Einaudi, 2017. * A. Avallone, #Datastories, Hoepli, 2021. Notes: 1. Additional books may be indicated during the course. 2. For attending students, midterm assessments (esoneri) will be scheduled on the first text. The procedures and requirements for these assessments will be communicated in class during the semester.
Teaching mode
The course unit is based on lectures, conducted with computer support (slide projection and eventually audio-video support), during which the participation of students will be stimulated in order to constantly verify the acquired knowledge and the ability to exercise critical and independent judgment on the course topics. At the beginning of each lesson we will conduct an open discussion on the previous one, to summarize the topics covered. It can be provided for interventions of external guests on specific modules.
Frequency
There is no obligation to attend.
Exam mode
The exams will take place according to the didactic calendar of the Department, trough an oral interview. For non-attending students there is a single final oral exam. For attending students attending the project works (project evaluation / ongoing evaluation) will constitute a basis for grading to which will be added the evaluation of the final oral exam.
Lesson mode
The course unit is based on lectures, conducted with computer support (slide projection and eventually audio-video support), during which the participation of students will be stimulated in order to constantly verify the acquired knowledge and the ability to exercise critical and independent judgment on the course topics. At the beginning of each lesson we will conduct an open discussion on the previous one, to summarize the topics covered. It can be provided for interventions of external guests on specific modules.
Channel 2
MARZIA ANTENORE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The first part of the course focuses on the theoretical framework of the communication theories. From the hypodermic theory to the theory of the dependence from media, the aim is to verify the validity of the theoretical and conceptual frameworks of the past in the light of the new medial landscape and of the socio-cultural and technological transformations of the current society of information. The second part of the course focuses more specifically on the new media, analyses the technological and social transformations linked to the diffusion of the Internet (from web 1.0 to the Internet of the things) and focuses its attention on the relation between social media and politics. Finally, the last part of the course will provide a slice of issues and areas that will be explored in the near future: journalism studies, social media marketing tools, television and audience studies.
Prerequisites
None
Books
1. G. Boccia Artieri, S.Bentivegna, Le teorie delle comunicazioni di massa e la sfida digitale, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2019 2. A book to choose between: - G. Ciofalo (a cura di), Elihu Katz. I media studies tra passato e futuro - NUOVA EDIZIONE AGGIORNATA, Roma, Armando, in press. - A. Stella, R., Riva, C., Scarcelli, M., Drusian, M. Sociologia dei New Media, Utet Università , Milano, 2018. 3. A book to choose between: - M. Antenore, S. Splendore (a cura di), Data Journalism. Guida essenziale al giornalismo fatto con i numeri, Milano, Mondadori, 2017. - G. Balbi, P. Magaudda (a cura di), Fallimenti digitali: un'archeologia dei "nuovi" media, Unicopli, Milano, 2018. - A. Greenfield, Tecnologie radicali. l progetto della vita quotidiana, Einaudi, Torino, 2017. - J. van Dijck, T. Poell, M. de Waal, Platform Society. Valori pubblici e società connessa, Guerini Scientifica, Milano, 2019 The volumes could be replaced with other texts that will be communicated at the beginning of the course.
Teaching mode
In consideration of the Covid-19 outbreak and with reference to the evolution of governmental provisions and health authorities, the course or its parts may also be carried out remotely or in a mixed mode. Seminars, lessons-meetings with professionals and/or scholars. Moreover, the professors promote a strong interaction between the students (peer learning) and the teachers during lessons to promote team working and problem solving.
Exam mode
In order to support the students in the gradual acquisition of the basic skills and vocabulary of the discipline, a midterm exam could be organized to assess the knowledge acquired in the different modules of the course. Details will be provided at the beginning of the course. Oral exam about topics of the textbooks and explained during the course.
Lesson mode
In consideration of the Covid-19 outbreak and with reference to the evolution of governmental provisions and health authorities, the course or its parts may also be carried out remotely or in a mixed mode. Seminars, lessons-meetings with professionals and/or scholars. Moreover, the professors promote a strong interaction between the students (peer learning) and the teachers during lessons to promote team working and problem solving.
LORENZA PARISI Lecturers' profile
  • Lesson code10593318
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseCommunication, technologies and digital culture
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDSPS/08
  • CFU9