Programma

The course offers an overview of the main social transformations due to the advent of digital media, the web and social networks, focusing on the relationship between technology, the individual and society.
Starting from the analysis of some case studies, such as WikiLeaks and Cambridge Analytica, from the major insights into the advent of AI and the consequent development of platforms such as ChatGPT and Midjourney, from social and interpersonal changes, new inequalities and new balances of power(s), the contradictions and failures, risks and opportunities offered by new technologies in the new hybrid media system will be discussed. Particular attention will be paid to the gradual transformation of the social, economic, and cultural models, the new characters of the information and platform society in different sectors (information, health service, transport, culture), and the rise of digital capitalism.

Testi Adottati

1. van Dijck, Poell, & de Waal, The Platform Society. Public values in a connective world, Oxford University Press: 2018.

2. Manovich, Cultural Analytics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 2010.

3. Additional materials will be provided by the professor and uploaded to the Teams and Moodle channels.

Modalità Frequenza

Attendance is not compulsory, but it is always recommended.

Modalità Valutazione

Attending students: assessment of a paper on a topic covered during the course or related (to be approved by the professor) and open-ended questions on the readings of the programme. Non-attending students: open-ended questions on the readings of the programme.