The course aims to study the relationship between wellbeing and new media, to identify the positive aspects and critical issues associated with the applications of communication technologies in daily life. The effects on individual and collective wellbeing of digital consumption and multitasking will be analyzed, including the development of skills and community capacity building,  information overload and the relationship options.During the course, some applications of digital communication in the field of wellbeing will be presented: regarding individual wellbeing we will discuss body health and physical fitness; in the field of social wellbeing, care networks and community work; in the field of intersubjective wellbeing, cultural models and lifestyles. In particular, the new practices and modes of consuming sport and physical activity through the use of technology are examined. The main objective is to stimulate the skills and planning capacities in imagining and creating network models in digital communication according to a wellbeing perspective.

The course is divided into several thematic modules.

1. Sociological theories on well-being 

• The theory of networks and subjective well-being
• Network Social capital and social well-being
• Theories of the effects of digital life on individual well-being
• Indicators and determinants of social well-being and new media

2. Well-being and technology

• Digital well-being and malaise
• The bio-psycho-social effects of well-being
• Health and well-being in the digital disruption  
• The role of technology in the search for well-being

3. The communication of well-being

• The media construction of well-being: images and representations 
• The consumption of well-being in the new media
• Identity, society, behaviours, lifestyles
• Models and strategies in the search of digital well-being

4. New practices and places of active well-being

• Cultural studies and body work
• Sport social fan experience
• Physical activity, sport and new technology
• Fitness and digital gym
• Sport communities

Students will gain knowledge, and understanding of the main sociological theories of digital well-being with particular reference to the issues and methods faced by different epistemological perspectives. Students are awarded this basic knowledge by attending the lectures and study of the texts discussed in class.

Students will also gain the ability to apply knowledge and understanding of concepts through the analysis of communication of well-being products. The skills will be acquired through moments of exercise in the classroom.

Students will be able to analyze with independent judgment projects, plans and promotion an communication of well-being in the social and training sector programs. That capacity must be exercised in the classroom in the confrontation with the teacher and the other students.

Students will be called upon to perform in the classroom communication skills by interacting with applications, trade with fellow students and writing short presentations for the final exam.

Students will be in possession of critical skills useful in identifying functional and adequate tools and methods of communication of digital well-being, simulating action plans, designing a working hypothesis in the field

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 is carried out in ex-cathedra lectures, seminars, regular discussions in the classroom. During the lessons, we will be used condensed and explanatory presentations, such as teaching aids to the understanding of the issues examined. Such material will be made available online.

Teaching

Lectures, class discussion, seminar activity, individual exercises, help texts.

Attendance

Students must attend classes of the course at a level not less than 75% of the total hours. Students will participate in the exercises prescribed during the course lessons and prepare the texts of the study indicated for the final test.

Course books

Gui M. (2014). A dieta di media. Comunicazione e qualità della vita, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Fasoli, M. (2019). Il benessere digitale, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Martelli S., Matteucci I., Russo G., Tallarita L. (2019). Keep fit! Benessere attivo e nuove tecnologie, FrancoAngeli, Milano.

Assessment

Methods to assess the level of preparation of students consist of individual exercises during the course and final oral examination.

The exam will be held through an individual interview based on textbooks suggested. The aim is to evaluate both student's comprehension of the content and his ability in reworking concepts and in argumenting. It is possibile to present a written document on a topic agreed with the teacher. 

Excellent grades will be given in presence of: a good critical perspective and in depth study; knowing how to link among them the main subjects addressed during the course; the use of an appropriate language.

Good grades will be given in presence of:  good mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relatively good critical perspective and connection skills related to the treated topics; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient grades will be given in presence of: the achievement of a minimal knowledge on the treated themes, even in presence of some gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

Negative grades will be given in presence of: a difficult orientation related to the treated topics; knowledge gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

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.

Teaching

Students not attending will have access to the synthetic schemes and explanatory presentations such as teaching aids to the understanding of the issues examined. Such material will be made available online.

Attendance

Students should prepare textbooks indicated.The students are required to know the synthetic schemes and explanatory presentations used by the teacher in class, as teaching aids to the understanding of the issues examined.Such material will be made available online.

Course books

Gui M. (2014). A dieta di media. Comunicazione e qualità della vita, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Fasoli, M. (2019). Il benessere digitale, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Martelli S., Matteucci I., Russo G., Tallarita L. (2019). Keep fit! Benessere attivo e nuove tecnologie, FrancoAngeli, Milano.

Assessment

Oral examination.

The exam will be held through an individual interview based on textbooks suggested. The aim is to evaluate both student's comprehension of the content and his ability in reworking concepts and in argumenting. It is possibile to present a written document on a topic agreed with the teacher. 

Excellent grades will be given in presence of: a good critical perspective and in depth study; knowing how to link among them the main subjects addressed during the course; the use of an appropriate language.

Good grades will be given in presence of:  good mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relatively good critical perspective and connection skills related to the treated topics; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient grades will be given in presence of: the achievement of a minimal knowledge on the treated themes, even in presence of some gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

Negative grades will be given in presence of: a difficult orientation related to the treated topics; knowledge gaps; the use of a not appropriate language.

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.