of communication and as communication through images, the course aims to provide the theoretical and methodological foundations of the analysis of the contemporary imaginary and the forms of visual culture: from the status of the image in the cultural, media and artistic industry to the centrality of the visual dimension in modern and contemporary social and communicative contexts. Knowledge of the theory and practices of the imaginary can stimulate the ability to critically observe the symbolic forms of the present with which professionals in the world of communication and advertising are called upon to deal. Based on these assumptions, the course deals with some of the main themes of contemporary visual culture from an analytical and critical perspective. An analysis focus is also proposed on the imagery of travel and on visual communication in the tourism field.
Specifically, the course has the following objectives
- provide the theoretical and empirical tools to observe the current status of the "image society" experimenting the meta-territorial and diffused character of the contemporary collective imaginary in the media territories
- provide adequate analysis tools to understand the relationship between the bio-cognitive dimension of seeing and the socio-cultural dimension of looking
- to stimulate attention and critical understanding of the concept of representation and image;
- introduce the study of Visual Sociology in relation to the cultural perspective and from a methodological point of view;
- to introduce and test some methodological approaches to research on visual communication.

1. The image society and the Iconic Turn
1.1. Imagery and the iconoclastic paradox of the West

1.2. Verbal and visual
1.3. Imaginary and cultural industry

1.4. Birth of the iconosphere and the iconic turn

1.5. Visual communication and the role of images in media culture

2. The process of vision between bios and logos

2.1. Vision as biological action and as enaction

2.2. Vision as cultural and situated action: sociology of vision

2.3. Representation and image

2.4. Technologies of vision: analogue, digital and screen studies

2.5. Studying images in media and digital culture

3. The imagery of the journey 

3.1. The representationalist imaginary

3.2. The performative imaginary

4. Visual Sociology 

4.1. Visual research as a cognitive approach
4.2. The design of visual research 
4.3. Research on images and with images: methodology and techniques of visual analysis

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1. Knowledge and ability to understand: the knowledge to be acquired relates to the issues concerning the connotation of the image society and its development, the relationship between cultural and technological dimensions, understanding is achieved through the acquisition of theoretical skills on models with particular attention to the dynamics relating to the socio-cultural transformations of the contemporary iconosphere.
1.1. Students acquire this basic knowledge through attendance of lectures and seminars, the study of texts discussed in the classroom and in class exercises.

1.2. Students undertake in-depth study and empirical analysis of one of the proposed paths identified on the basis of their interest.
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: through the ability to analyse visual cultural products by applying the main methodologies of analysis from Visual Sociology.
2.1. Skills acquired through laboratory exercises in the classroom.
3. Capacity for judgement: critical reflection on the evolutionary dynamics of the image society and visual culture as well as the ongoing transformations affecting communication as a whole and the forms of communication through images in particular.
3.1. This capacity for judgement is to be applied in the classroom discussion with the lecturer and colleagues, during the exercises, in the choice of one of the in-depth courses and in the preparation of the final examination.
4. Communication skills: students are called upon to interact in the classroom by means of questions, exchanges with colleagues and fellow students, drafting short presentations during the exercises, also starting from the choice of the in-depth thematic pathway.
4.1. Skills that are practised in the classroom by organising moments of discussion and exercise.
5. Learning ability: students are required to adopt a critical learning method capable of connecting theoretical competences and empirical analysis, moving towards the specification of autonomous thinking.
5.1. Skills to be enhanced through argumentation with the lecturer and fellow students.

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

The course makes use of teaching materials, power point presentations and video materials, reading and study materials made available to students on the dedicated blended learning platform.
The course organises seminars and meetings with external experts in order to provide students with the tools to access professional and research dimensions in the field of visual communication.

Teaching

Lectures and in-depth seminars with the aid of audiovisual materials. 
The course includes in-class, individual and group practice phases.

Innovative teaching methods

- flipped lesson on some topics of the course;
- individual and group exercises and in-depth studies, which students will carry out using the University's Moodle platform.

Attendance

Study of the indicated texts, participation in seminars and meetings with experts, participation in classroom exercises.

Course books

1. Gemini, L. (2021). Immaginario e comunicazione: teorie a confronto. In Centorrino, M., Romeo. A. (a cura di), Sociologia della comunicazione. Teorie, concetti, strumenti. Milano: Mondadori (pp. 403-422).

2. Mirzoeff N. (2017), Come vedere il mondo. Un'introduzione alle immagini: dall'autoritratto al selfie, dalle mappe ai film (e altro ancora), Johan & Levi Editore, Cremona.

3. Esposito E. (2022). Il tempo delle foto digitali, in Esposito E., Comunicazione artificiale. Come gli algoritmi producono intelligenza sociale. Milano: EGEA, pp. 129-140.

4. Gemini, L. (2008). In viaggio. Comunicazione, immaginario e pratiche del turismo contemporaneo, FrancoAngeli, Milano (capitolo 2, pp. 63-110).

Assessment

The assessment of learning will take place 1. by means of an individual oral interview based on the reference texts for the examination, aimed at assessing both the student's learning of the contents and his or her ability to rework and argue; 2. by assessing the level of participation in class in lectures, seminars, oral and written classroom exercises.

The following will result in excellent marks: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics dealt with; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient marks will be awarded: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, even in the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate 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.