SOCIOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION AND TOURISM
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Full programme
- Bibliography
- Delivery method
- Teaching methods
The teaching of Sociology of Communication and Tourism does requirer preliminary basic knowledge of contemporary history. Besides, a basic knowledge of sociological terminology is desirable. To this end, students are advised to consult a sociology dictionary.
The method of verifying knowledge and skills consists of an oral exam, including open questions based on the contents and approaches presented. The assessment takes into account the relevance of the answers given to the questions asked, the clarity of presentation and the possession of the specific language of the discipline. A mark is given out of a maximum of thirty.
Given the educational objectives of the course of study, the teaching focuses on providing an introduction to and the practice of the sociological perspective, both in general terms and applied to the fields of communication and tourism. In the context of the professional training of those who will operate in the hospitality industry, the acquisition of sociological skills is deemed to be fundamental. The teaching aims to provide the main sociological references – both theoretical and methodological – needed to understand communication and tourism phenomena in relation to the advent of modernity and its most recent transformations.
The general learning goal pursued by the teaching consists of the development of a self-reflexive perspective, capable of contextualising and grasping the socially constructed character of collective phenomena and, in particular, of those relating to communication and tourism. The specific objectives are to acquire familiarity with sociological thinking and to master its main vocabulary.
The course is divided into three parts, distinct but developed in an integrated way during the lessons. The first part is dedicated to introducing the sociological perspective, starting from the thinking developed by the so-called "founding fathers" of the discipline to grasp and account for the development of modernity and the complex phenomenologies related to it. The second part of the course is focused on everyday life according to the main constructivism perspectives (phenomenological sociology, ethnometodology, drammaturgic analysis of Goffman). The third part will be focused on tourism in relation to post-industrial socioeconomic transformation, communication and cultural industries, the experiences and phenomenologies of contemporary tourism.
The general sociological perspective will be introduced with respect to the history of sociological thinking, as detailed by the selected handbook. Specific attention will be given to the practice of "sociological imagination" both in general terms and with respect to communication and tourism. These issues will be discussed and analyzed linking social history, sociological analysis, the most recent shifts and relevant case-studies discussed in class.
To prepare for the exam, all students are required to study both the readings chosen by the teacher (and at disposal both in paperback and digital version) and the following two texts:
1. Jedlowski P. (1998), The world in question. Introduction to the history of sociological thought, Carocci, Rome.
2. d’Eramo M. (2019) The selfie of the world. Survey on the age of tourism, Feltrinelli, Milan.
Didactic material is available on the e-learning platform.
The course includes 50 hours, mostly.
The first lesson unit has an introductory function. It serves to present the objectives of the course, the working methodology, the texts and the methods of evaluation – in other words, to define a training contract with the students. The following units are dedicated to detailed study of the course programme.
The course includes class exercies, in which students will be lead by the teacher to use the previously introduced didattic material.
The teaching is given by the teacher in charge of the course, which encourages students’ active participation in the course.