39410 - Political Communication (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student knows how to distinguish and evaluate the different aspects and different styles of political communication in contemporary democracies and knows how to problematize the role of the mass media within the public sphere. Moreover, the student is able to use tools and categories typical of the studies on political communication, and is able to analyze various case studies (government and party leaders of Western democracies), using the theoretical tools developed in the first part of the course.

Course contents

The course focuses on contemporary forms of political communication in today's Western democracies.

After examining the concept and phenomenon of political communication in general, the first, broader part analyzes the processes of mediatization and self-mediatization of politics, and their effects on political actors (particularly leaders and parties), and how politics is communicated, represented, and narrated.

The second part of the course examines the communication strategies of some significant Western political leaders.

In the third and final part, the course addresses the theme of communication in international politics, with a focus on studies of Public and Digital Diplomacy, and a specific emphasis on the Public Diplomacy efforts by the Ukrainian presidency and government.

Readings/Bibliography

*Bentivegna, S., Campus, D., Valeriani, A. (2024), La comunicazione politica contemporanea, Bologna, Il Mulino. Chapters VII, VIII, IX.

*Di Gregorio, L. (2024), War Room. Attori, strutture e processi della politica in campagna permanente, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino. Chapters 1,2,3,4,5 (6 optional chapter)

*Ventura, S. (2019). I leader e le loro storie. Narrazione, comunicazione politica e crisi della democrazia. Bologna: Il Mulino. Part One.

*Ventura, S. (2024). War and Its Imagery: The Visual Narrative of the Ukrainian State’s Instagram Account Ukraine.Ua as a Tool of Digital Public Diplomacy. International Journal of Strategic Communication. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2024.2395407

Non-attending students must also prepare the whole of the second part and the conclusions of Ventura, S. (2019). I leder e le loro storie

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and discussions, on the topics covered and on the video material proposed by the teacher and analysed in class.

Assessment methods

Written exam. Attending students will have two hours to answer four questions on the topics discussed in class and explored in the texts.

Non-attending students will likewise have two hours to answer four questions on the contents of the texts.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives

Teaching tools

Power Point, video projector and other audiovisual tools.

Office hours

See the website of Sofia Ventura