C8807 - SEMINARIO DI ANALISI POLITICA (1) (LM) (G.B)

Learning outcomes

The seminar selects and discusses some of the most important contemporary political issues, with presentations, analysis, and materials from academic literature, the Italian and international press, the media. By the end of the seminar, students: - will have developed a critical understanding of these issues; - will be able to make informed judgements about how these issues are covered in the media.

Course contents

The seminar focuses on Cinema and Politics and aims to provide opportunities for analysis and discussion of two interrelated themes: (1) the relationship between journalism, the media and politics; and (2) the relationship between politics, communication, and referendum/election campaigns, through the viewing and interpretation of feature films.

Classes will be devoted to watching the films and to a classroom discussion led each time by a group of students. The first session will be introductory and organisational.

 

Films to be screened

1. La Conquête (2011, directed by Xavier Durringer, France)
   Nicolas Sarkozy’s rise to the Élysée Palace and the construction of his political leadership.
2. The Queen (2006, directed by Stephen Frears, United Kingdom)
   The political and communication crisis faced by the British monarchy after the death of Diana.
3. Brexit: The Uncivil War (2019, directed by Toby Haynes, United Kingdom)
   The Vote Leave campaign and the communication strategies that led to the victory of Brexit.
4. No – I giorni dell’arcobaleno (2012, directed by Pablo Larraín, Chile)
   The advertising campaign for the “No” side in the 1988 Chilean referendum against Pinochet.
5. All the President’s Men (1976, directed by Alan J. Pakula, United States)
   The Washington Post investigation into the Watergate scandal.
6. Spotlight (2015, directed by Tom McCarthy, United States)
   The Boston Globe investigation into sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
7. The Post (2017, directed by Steven Spielberg, United States)
   The Washington Post’s battle to publish the Pentagon Papers.
8. Words of War (2025, directed by James Strong, United Kingdom/United States)
   The life and work of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya up to her assassination.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended readings:

• Wolfsfeld, G. (2022). Making Sense of Media and Politics: Five Principles in Political Communication. Routledge. Parts I and II.
• Di Gregorio, L. (2024). War Room. Attori, strutture e processi della politica in campagna permanente. Soveria Mannelli: Rubbettino. Chapters 1, 2 and 3.
• Brown, L. A. (2023). How Films Tell Stories: The Narratology of Cinema. Creative Art Press.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) or temporary or permanent disabilities: students are advised to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ) and the lecturer as soon as possible, so that they can work together to identify the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

After an introductory lecture, the course will consist of classroom screenings of feature films followed by seminar activities. For each film, students will be divided into several groups, with each group taking responsibility for leading the related seminar discussion.

Assessment methods

A pass will be awarded to students who attend at least seven sessions, participate in the seminar activities, and write a short paper (9,000–12,000 characters) on a film of their choice, different from those screened in class, focusing on a topic related to the themes addressed during the workshop and agreed in advance with the lecturer.

Students with specific learning disabilities (SLDs) or temporary or permanent disabilities: students are advised to contact the relevant University office well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any appropriate adjustments for the students concerned. These must in any case be submitted to the lecturer for approval at least 15 days in advance. The lecturer will assess their suitability, also in relation to the learning outcomes of the course.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint, projector, PC.

Office hours

See the website of Sofia Ventura