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1)Knowledge and understanding

The course aims at giving a clear picture of mass media processes and development. Indeed, they play an important role to understand the contemporary tools of communication. 

2) Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

The analysis of case studies and digital platforms will aim at improving and developing soft skills for communication.

3) Autonomy of judgment

The proposal for a debate on present cases and topical issues is aimed at understanding and developing critical thinking on social and ethical issues related to the media ecosystem.

4) Communication skills

The collection of a number of theories, practices and cases provides students with a good body of knowledge to improve their skills in the field of professional digital communication.

5) Learning skills

the course provides the basis for undertaking subsequent studies with a good degree of autonomy in the field of digital and public communication.

The course takes place essentially throught frontal lessons, with extensive use of tools for student involvement: questions for the verification of concepts, collective discussion about analysis of cases histories, digital tools for involvement and participation. 

Module A

Digital life: platform, people, values:

The first part of the program illustrates the shape and social dynamics as a consequence of platformization. The theoretical framework of the platform society allows for a discussion on the relationship between digitalization and technology and political and economic power. At a micro level, platformization, which shapes and influences everyday practices, provides an interpretative and comparative basis for discussing the ‘new’ shape of sociality online, online identities and amateur professionalism.

Module B

Networks, communities and algorithms

The second stage illustrates and introduces digital tools and methods for social sciences. A specific focus is paid to the main social platforms through the analysis of recommendation mechanisms, affordances, grammars and vernaculars of social media. A lot of attenctin is given, therefore, to case studies, in particular network communities are examined.