Course aims:

To functionally appropriate the theoretical apparatus appropriate to the sociological study of public opinion
To master the operational concepts of mass communication sciences
To train the skills of analysis and sociological interpretation of mass communication

Course Entry Requirements:

N/A

Course contents:

Introductory notions. Functional analysis of mass communication Communication modeling Forming public opinion and opinion polls The media Ways to explain the process of mass communication The effects of mass communication Information society - theories and components Information management and manipulation Deontology of mass communication and freedom of information Persuasion and manipulation Opinion poll Rumors as a form of expression of opinions

Teaching methods:

Lecture, dialogue, debate

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge of the basic notions and of themechanisms for developing human communication relationships, the functioning of social entities and the development of fundamental social processes.

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

A paper dealing with the subject of public opinion written in 2 hours (60% of the final grade) and a research design for public opinion (40% of the final grade)

Recommended reading:

Jelke Bethlehem, Understanding Public Opinion Polls, Taylor & Francis, -, 2017, 286.
Atkinson Mary Layton, Dynamics of Public Opinion, Cambridge University Press, -, -, 75.
David L. Weakliem, Public Opinion, Polity Press, -, -, -.