This course aims to provide and deepen the fundamental theoretical models and concepts for understanding the relationship between society and politics. This general topic is framed in the context of the representative democracy crisis, which affects the post-modern and post-ideological societies. A particular attention will be given to the political phenomena that are interlaced with the ideas of monitoring democracy and monitorial citizen. First, most fundamental concepts - such as power, democracy, political system, political culture, social capital and representation - will be discussed critically in the light of the transformations of both, society and politics in the global era. Moreover, the evolution of citizens’ attitudes and the transformation of primary political actors will be addressed. The course starts from the key idea that the post-representative politics is developing in modern democracies, and for this reason lectures will be mainly devoted to the concept of political participation and its transformation. From this perspective, some subjects concerning the main themes of the topic itself will be addressed. Then, a particular attention will be paid to the new forms of citizens’ engagement and the change of the very concept of democratic citizenship. The role played by the Internet and in particular by the social media within the democratic frame and, on the other side, dis-intermediated and post-bureaucratic forms of political participation will be discussed. Besides, the category of the political consumerism will also be taken into consideration, since it is understood as an expression of this kind of deep change, which affects the relationship between society and politics.

The course is structured in two main sections. During the first part it will be reconstructed the basic elements concerning politics and society by addressing key concepts and approaches. The second one will refer, more specifically, to the evolution of democracy itself and participation modes over the late modernity. However, the classical categories of power, status, political system, party, social movement, and pressure group will be considered as fundamental components of the civic community in the light of the post-modern evolution. Citizens, voters and elections, socialization and political culture, media and audience, advocacy campaigns will also be discussed in the frame of globalization process and its consequences. More specifically lectures and seminars will articulate the course as follows:

1. The study of politics: basic categories and their evolution.

2. Forms, dimensions and changes in the concept and practices of democratic citizenship.

3. Post-representative politics.

4. Citizen participation and monitoring democracy.

5. The monitorial citizen.

6. Internet, social media and civic engagement.

7. Political consumerism and dis-intermediated forms of participation.

8. Measuring post-modern modes of participation.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lectures with the use of audio-visual media, analysis of research outcome carried out by the LaPolis research team and discussion with student during workshops.

Attendance

Attendance is not required.

Course books

Segatori, R., Sociologia dei fenomeni politici, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012.

Ceccarini, L., La cittadinanza online, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015.

Ceccarini, L., Consumare con impegno, La politica quotidiana tra botteghe del mondo e supermercato, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008.

Assessment

Students can choose between two different exam methods:

1) oral examination. This is recommended to students who do not attend lectures or participate only occasionally;

2) written examination. In this case the final evaluation will take place at the end of the course (the date will be agreed with the students participating in the lessons).
For both, written and oral test, the evaluation criteria are as follows:
- relevance of responses to the content of the program;
- level of response articulation;
- relevance of the language used.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.