- Docente: Sofia Ventura
- Credits: 6
- SSD: GSPS-02/A
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Communication Sciences (cod. 5975)
-
from Sep 15, 2026 to Oct 22, 2026
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 an examination of the concept and phenomenon of political communication in general, the first and more extensive part of the course analyses the processes of the mediatisation and self-mediatisation of politics and their effects on political actors, particularly leaders. Particular attention will be devoted to political marketing and political storytelling. The communication of a number of major Western political leaders of the past fifty years will also be examined.
The second part analyses changes in the content of political news and, more broadly, in the discourse about politics that develops within the integrated media system. Particular attention will be devoted to the recent phenomena of post-truth and information disorder.
Readings/Bibliography
*Bentivegna, S., Campus, D., Valeriani, A. (2024), La comunicazione politica contemporanea, Bologna, Il Mulino. Chapters I, II, III, 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.
*Ventura, S. (2019). I leader e le loro storie. Narrazione, comunicazione politica e crisi della democrazia. Bologna: Il Mulino. Part One.
*Street, J. (2021). Media, politics and democracy. Bloomsbury Publishing. (2022, electronic edition).Chapters 1 and 2
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
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 objectivesTeaching tools
Power Point, video projector and other audiovisual tools.
Office hours
See the website of Sofia Ventura