89972 - History of Communication in the Modern and Contemporary Eras

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the steps that the world of communication touched in the last five and a half centuries; he knows how the growth of the journalist profession has taken place and how publishing has changed, he has notions on the development of the printing world from Gutenberg to today; he knows how to orient himself in the field of communication in the third millennium, with particular reference to cultural heritage.

Course contents

As a result of the progressive establishment of open societies, based on the exchange of information between the various subjects operating in the economic, political, social and cultural contesxt, journalistic communication cannot fail to intertwine its modalities with the characteristics of the society in which it is immersed. All the large and small variables that act in a collective environment, determining its physiognomy, even if this can never be underestimated in its ability to guide these variables.


It is this complexity that the course intends to deal with, both through general considerations, and in in-depth sample analyzes on historical moments of particular significance referring to the reality of our country, up to the most recent steps marked by the technological "revolution".


The aim of the course is the study of the history of communication in general, and of the press in particular.

Readings/Bibliography

Non attending students:

- Giovanni Gozzini, Storia del giornalismo, Milano, Pearson-Bruno Mondadori, 2020;

and another book chosen between:

- Pierluigi Allotti, La libertà di stampa, Bologna, il Mulino, 2020;

- Luca Gorgolini (a cura di), Media digitali e disinformazione, Bologna, BUP, 2022;

 

Attending students:

- Giovanni Gozzini, Storia del giornalismo, Milano, Pearson-Bruno Mondadori, 2020

and lecture notes.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral, and includes a verification of basic knowledge with attention to the ability to understand the problems faced during the lessons; the knowledge of the discipline in its historical development will be verified, the ability to frame the objects studied in their context, and to discuss them critically. The quality of oral expression and the ability to construct a logical-argumentative speech will also be taken into account.


The final evaluation will follow the following indications:


- insufficient grade: lack of basic knowledge and inability to produce a correct interpretation of the texts and / or problems -


- sufficient grade: possession of basic knowledge; mainly correct interpretation, but conducted with imprecision and little autonomy.


- good grade: possession of intermediate level knowledge; fully correct interpretation, but not always precise and autonomous.


- excellent grade: possession of high level knowledge; interpretation of problems not only correct but conducted with autonomy and precision. Excellent oral expression skills.

Only for the students attending the course, there will be the possibility of writing an essay. The method will be explained during the first lesson of the course.

Teaching tools

Images and sources commentary.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Malfitano