OVERVIEW

The concept of the imaginary refers to the set of symbols, images, representations, and narratives of social life through which individuals understand, communicate, and transform reality. More specifically, the sociology of the imaginary studies symbols, representations, narratives, myths, and archetypes situated at different levels of social life and consciousness, through which individuals and groups interpret, communicate, and reshape their world. Knowledge of the theories and practices of the imaginary provides students with the tools necessary to critically observe and analyze the symbolic forms of the present.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide the theoretical and methodological foundations of the analysis of contemporary imagery and forms of visual culture: from systems of collective beliefs to the production and consumption of different aesthetic and representational forms, from the status of the image in the cultural industry to the centrality of the visual dimension in social and media contexts. The teaching focuses on the analysis of symbols, representations, narratives, discursive orders, situated at different levels of social life and cultural production, through which individuals and groups understand, communicate, and transform their reality. The imaginary represents both the horizon of meaning guiding the actions of social actors and the creative products of their actions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The course aims to provide the theoretical and methodological foundations for the analysis of the contemporary imaginary and forms of visual culture: from systems of collective beliefs to the production and consumption of different aesthetic and representational forms; from the status of images within the cultural industry to the centrality of the visual dimension in social and media contexts. The course focuses on the analysis of symbols, representations, narratives, and discursive orders situated at different levels of social life and cultural production, through which individuals and groups understand, communicate, and transform their reality. The imaginary represents both the horizon of meaning that guides social actors’ actions and the creative products generated through those actions.

DETAILED LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

More specifically, the course aims to:

• provide theoretical and empirical tools for observing the current status of the “society of the image” as it circulates within the media territories of the contemporary collective imaginary;
• provide analytical tools for understanding the socio-cultural dimension of visual perception;
• stimulate critical attention toward and understanding of the concept of representation;
• introduce students to the study of Visual Sociology from a cultural perspective;
• provide the methodological tools necessary to design a visual research project according to the approach of Visual Sociology;
• introduce students to the study and critical analysis of visual culture, with particular reference to the following analytical and research paths:

1. Imaginaries of the Future: The future is both an idea and, above all, a “cultural fact.” The future that exists in the present is not only a complex set of cultural productions and memories of past futures, but also a set of social practices. This module focuses on the forms through which ideas of the future circulate: hegemonic and counter-hegemonic discourses about the representation of the future shape our horizons of expectation and therefore deeply influence social action.
2. Imaginaries and Visual Representations of Gender: From the first studies on representations of gender in art, cinema, and advertising to feminist and queer studies perspectives, theories and case studies will be presented in order to understand the visual and performative construction of gender.
3. Representations of Identities: Visual devices and discourses are central to relations of power and distinction. Through the contributions of cultural studies and postcolonial studies, the course will address concepts such as ethnicity, processes of othering, and forms of resistance and reinterpretation of discriminatory representations from an intersectional perspective.
4. Images and Digital Technologies: This module explores the relationship between media and visuality. It will analyze the impact of digital technologies and platforms on contemporary visual cultures through the study of everyday digital objects and practices.
5. Imaginaries of the Body: In neoliberal societies centered on individual responsibility, the body acquires political value. Every historical period and culture produces imaginaries about bodies. This module therefore examines the symbolic meanings attributed to bodies and their forms of representation.
6. Youth Cultures and Music: This module focuses on youth subcultures and the moral panic historically associated with them. Particular attention will be devoted to the Italian trap music scene.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Knowledge and Understanding
   Students will acquire knowledge related to imaginaries, representations, and the characteristics and development of the image society.

1.1 Students will acquire these basic competencies through attendance at lectures and seminars, the study of texts discussed in class, and classroom activities.

1.2 Students will further develop their empirical analysis skills by focusing on one of the proposed thematic paths according to their individual interests.

1. Applying Knowledge and Understanding
   Students will develop the ability to analyze visual cultural products using the principal methodologies derived from Visual Sociology.

2.1 These competencies will be developed through workshop-based classroom activities and practical exercises.

1. Making Judgements
   Students will develop critical reflection skills concerning the evolving dynamics of the image society and visual culture, as well as the ongoing transformations affecting communication in general and image-based communication in particular.

3.1 These evaluative skills will be practiced through classroom discussions with the lecturer and fellow students, workshop activities, the selection of thematic in-depth study paths, and the preparation of the final examination.

1. Communication Skills
   Students will be encouraged to actively participate in class through questions, discussions with peers, and the preparation of short presentations during workshop activities, also based on their chosen thematic focus.

4.1 These communication skills will be developed through structured classroom discussions and practical exercises.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching activities are designed according to a participatory and workshop-based approach grounded in the co-construction of knowledge and the use of a predominantly inductive methodology. Students attending the course are expected to take an active role in the critical re-elaboration and organization of knowledge.

The educational aim of this teaching approach is to foster the development of critical skills and the autonomous use of analytical categories.

Information regarding the organization of the course will be available on the AulaWeb homepage and will be continuously updated throughout the semester. Slides and supplementary materials related to the lectures will also be available on the platform.

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) can find information on how to request support services, compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, and specific assistance in the document available at the following link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The examination syllabus addresses the theme of social imaginaries, analyzing their definitions, processes of construction, and modes of functioning within contemporary societies. Particular attention will be devoted to the main theoretical contributions of the classical sociologists - including Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Georg Simmel - who highlighted the role of collective representations, symbols, and forms of the imaginary in social life.

The course will also examine the evolution of the notion of the imaginary within the sociological tradition and its epistemological and methodological implications. Furthermore, it will explore the main fields of the sociology of the imaginary, focusing on the symbolic processes that shape everyday life, the sacred, religion, cultural creation, and contemporary forms of social representation.

The aim of the syllabus is to provide students with theoretical and interpretative tools useful for understanding the role of imaginaries in the construction of social reality and in the transformations of contemporary societies.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following text is mandatory: Patrick Legros, Frédéric Monneyron, Jean-Bruno Renard, Patrick Tacussel, Sociologia dell’immaginario, edited and translated by Fabio La Rocca and Francesco Barbalace, Mimesis, Milan-Udine, 2025.

For the monographic section, which is also mandatory, students may choose one text from those listed in the dedicated section on AulaWeb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Week of September 15, 2026, according to the timetable

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students will have the opportunity to submit a paper/project agreed upon with the lecturer during the course as part of the examination. Non-attending students will take an oral examination based on the assigned readings.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment will consist of an individual oral examination based on the required readings for the course, aimed at evaluating both the student’s understanding of the contents and their ability to critically elaborate and discuss the topics addressed.