99080 - Cultures of Television Production (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course offers an overview of the main operating mechanisms of the television industry, the production and distribution processes and the professionals involved, placing them inside the wider media scenario in the contemporary digital context and highlighting some connections with the cultural, social and political system. At the end of it the student: - will master the main logics of television; - will have an in-depth knowledge of the professions and production supply chains of the television industry; - will be able to analyze the complex relationships between production, shows, schedules and the audience; - will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the main television genres; - will be able to understand the role of television production and distribution in the contemporary digital media environment, both nationally and on a global scale.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts. The first introductory lessons aim to situate television and digital video within the contemporary media landscape, in order to reconstruct their underlying principles, explain their processes and supply chains, and trace their evolution and continuity across broadcasting, on-demand platforms and social media. The perspective of media production studies will help to shed light on content writing and production, on distribution and promotional decisions, on the constant negotiations amongst industry professionals, and on the impact of these processes on the content and how it is used. The second series of lectures is dedicated to exploring specific aspects of television and digital video that are both creative and industrial in nature, examining key concepts that have characterised television and digital video in recent years.

Readings/Bibliography

For non-attending students, the reference texts are:
- Luca Barra, La programmazione televisiva. Palinsesto e on demand, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2022;
- Luca Barra, Fabio Guarnaccia (a cura di), SuperTele. Come guardare la televisione, minimum fax, Roma 2020;
- Kate Eichhorn, Content. L'industria culturale nell'era digitale, Einaudi, Torino 2023;
- Andrea Girolami, Rivoluzione creator, il Mulino, Bologna 2025.

Attending students will be required to study a selection of these books, in the sections and ways specified in the first lessons.

Teaching methods

Traditional lessons supported by slides, audiovisual and digital materials, shared with students. The course will also host seminaries with experts in the television and digital media industry.

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 and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

The exam is different for attending and non-attending students. Students who have attended at least 80% of the lessons (8 lessons out of 10) will be considered attending ones.

Attending students will prepare a ppt/pdf presentation on a single case study, related to the course and previously agreed with the lecturer, then completing orally the exam, in dedicated sessions, with questions on topics addressed in class and in the books (parts indicated in class).

Non-attending students will face a written computer-based test with six open questions, aimed at evaluating the appropriate study of the bibliography.

The achievement of an organic vision of the themes, the use of specific language, the ability to show knowledge of contemporary television and digital media, as well as the ability to link single productions and the media, social and cultural context will be evaluated with excellent grades. Knowledge that is too much based on the readings, a non-articulated ability to synthetize or analyse, or a correct but not always appropriate language, like a school domain of the discipline, lead to average evaluations. Gaps in knowledge or imprecise language, such as a lack of knowledge of readings and contexts, allow the student to obtain grades on the threshold of sufficiency. Knowledge gaps, inappropriate language, lack of familiarity with the bibliography and inability to analyze are evaluated negatively.

To sustain the exam it is necessary to register via AlmaEsami. The exam for non-attending students is held in equipped computer rooms: in order to rationalize their use, it is necessary that the students, if they decide not to show up, cancel themselves from the exam list. Please note that it is necessary to show up for the session with UniBo credentials and to have an ID on you.

AI can be a useful tool to support individual study with in-depth analysis, summaries and self-assessment pathways. With regard to learning assessment, the use of AI is prohibited during in-person examinations. Any use is a violation of academic integrity.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office 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

Presentations, audiovisual material, videos, links and online resources, meetings with television and digital media professionals.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Barra