Social History of the Media
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course addresses the social history of media from a sociological perspective, focusing particularly on electronic, digital, and algorithmic media. The first part of the course tackles the evolution of various media technologies, from the camera to the walkman, from the phonograph to the personal computer, which will be critically analyzed in relation to their social origins, historical and cultural contexts, everyday uses, and shared imaginaries.
The second part of the course is devoted to the technological and cultural transformations linked to the development of algorithmic media and "intelligent" machines, from the late twentieth century to the present. In this monographic part of the course, face-to-face lectures will alternate with various activities in class. Students will organize into working groups aimed at exploring specific social dimensions of the history of media and technologies.
The second part of the course is devoted to the technological and cultural transformations linked to the development of algorithmic media and "intelligent" machines, from the late twentieth century to the present. In this monographic part of the course, face-to-face lectures will alternate with various activities in class. Students will organize into working groups aimed at exploring specific social dimensions of the history of media and technologies.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will develop the following skills:
- Knowledge of the main social, cultural and political dynamics underlying the development of modern media technologies;
- Knowledge of the main historical and cultural processes related to the shared imaginaries and everyday uses of modern media and algorithmic technologies;
- Capacity for historical and critical analysis of media and technologies;
- Ability to critically reflect around contemporary communication;
- Communication and collaborative skills developed through participation in working groups.
- Knowledge of the main social, cultural and political dynamics underlying the development of modern media technologies;
- Knowledge of the main historical and cultural processes related to the shared imaginaries and everyday uses of modern media and algorithmic technologies;
- Capacity for historical and critical analysis of media and technologies;
- Ability to critically reflect around contemporary communication;
- Communication and collaborative skills developed through participation in working groups.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
Part 1: Social history of modern media
Introduction to the course
The social origins of media technologies
The social uses of modern media
Media and memory: phonograph and photography
The collective spectacle: theater, cinema and TV
CONSTITUTION OF WORKING GROUPS
Music, youth and identity: from the record to the walkman
Networks, computers, and technological imaginaries
The dialectic between technology and society
WRITTEN MIDTERM EXAM
Part 2: Social history of algorithmic media, working groups
Algorithmic media and "smart" machines
WORKING GROUPS: TUTORSHIP
Culture in technology
Technology in culture
GROUPS PRESENTATION
GROUPS PRESENTATION
Social media: a social history
GROUPS PRESENTATION
GROUPS PRESENTATION
Conclusions
Introduction to the course
The social origins of media technologies
The social uses of modern media
Media and memory: phonograph and photography
The collective spectacle: theater, cinema and TV
CONSTITUTION OF WORKING GROUPS
Music, youth and identity: from the record to the walkman
Networks, computers, and technological imaginaries
The dialectic between technology and society
WRITTEN MIDTERM EXAM
Part 2: Social history of algorithmic media, working groups
Algorithmic media and "smart" machines
WORKING GROUPS: TUTORSHIP
Culture in technology
Technology in culture
GROUPS PRESENTATION
GROUPS PRESENTATION
Social media: a social history
GROUPS PRESENTATION
GROUPS PRESENTATION
Conclusions
Prerequisites for admission
The only prerequisite is a general knowledge of the main historical events of the twentieth century, as it is useful to the contextualization of the topics covered in the course.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, group exercises and presentations.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Flichy, P. (1994). Storia della comunicazione moderna: sfera pubblica e dimensione privata, Baskerville. Chapters IV, V, VI, VIII, IX [available at the faculty library];
- Airoldi, M. (2024). Machine habitus: sociologia degli algoritmi, Luiss University Press. Chapters I, II, III, V [available at the faculty library];
- Balbi, G., & Magaudda, P. (2014). Storia dei media digitali: Rivoluzioni e continuità. Laterza. Chapters II, III, V [available at the faculty library];
- Reading pack provided by the teacher.
Non-attending students:
- Flichy, P. (1994). Storia della comunicazione moderna: sfera pubblica e dimensione privata, Baskerville [available at the faculty library];
- Airoldi, M. (2024). Machine habitus: sociologia degli algoritmi, Luiss University Press [available at the faculty library];
- Balbi, G., & Magaudda, P. (2014). Storia dei media digitali: Rivoluzioni e continuità. Laterza [available at the faculty library].
- Flichy, P. (1994). Storia della comunicazione moderna: sfera pubblica e dimensione privata, Baskerville. Chapters IV, V, VI, VIII, IX [available at the faculty library];
- Airoldi, M. (2024). Machine habitus: sociologia degli algoritmi, Luiss University Press. Chapters I, II, III, V [available at the faculty library];
- Balbi, G., & Magaudda, P. (2014). Storia dei media digitali: Rivoluzioni e continuità. Laterza. Chapters II, III, V [available at the faculty library];
- Reading pack provided by the teacher.
Non-attending students:
- Flichy, P. (1994). Storia della comunicazione moderna: sfera pubblica e dimensione privata, Baskerville [available at the faculty library];
- Airoldi, M. (2024). Machine habitus: sociologia degli algoritmi, Luiss University Press [available at the faculty library];
- Balbi, G., & Magaudda, P. (2014). Storia dei media digitali: Rivoluzioni e continuità. Laterza [available at the faculty library].
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students:
- Intermediate written exam [70% of the final grade];
- Participation to working groups, group presentation [30% of the final grade].
Non-attending students:
- Oral exam.
- Intermediate written exam [70% of the final grade];
- Participation to working groups, group presentation [30% of the final grade].
Non-attending students:
- Oral exam.
M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Airoldi Massimo
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Airoldi MassimoEducational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 14.30-17.30
Teams (by appointment)