Sociology of Cultural Processes

The aim of the course is to highlight a specific perspective in the interpretation of social reality: that related to cultural processes, with specific attention to symbolic dimensions, rituals, ideologies at the base of the construction of what we know and share as "reality". In this respect, the course critically examines the analytical and theoretical tools of the sociological tradition, of social meanings and the connection between society and ideas (representations and discourses on society), languages, symbols, values, beliefs and ritual actions. A specific attention will be devoted to the dimension of everyday life and consumption, to cultural, social and gender differences. The course examines classical texts, and foster the critical capacity of the students through the analysis research cases.

At the end of the course students should have been developed: knowledge and understanding of the different interpretations of cultures' definitions in social sciences, particularly in reference to its sociological interpretations; Understanding of the social dimensions of the production of meaning, communication, classification and distinction in social environment; Applying knowledge and understanding, as well as critical capacity, in respect to processes of everyday life, practices, sharing production of meanings; Applying knowledge and understanding in reference to the interpretations of the notion of culture, in micro dimensions of everyday life, as well as in meso and macro dimensions of social organizations, institutional, national and international. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in respect to the capacity of understanding, knowledge, critical analysis of interpretations and theoretical perspectives introduced by the course.