90110 - Politics and Media in the Contemporary Age (1)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to study the interaction between politics and communication and it will analyze, with a comparative approach, the role of mass media in the consensus building process from the end of the 19th century to the present. At the end of the course, students are expected to: have a clear framework of the history of mass media and political communication from the end of 19th century to the present time; develop an in-depth knowledge of analytical tools to evaluate the influence of the media system on the consensus building process.

Course contents

Topic of the course is the history of mass media from the 19th century to the present day. The evolution of the media system (press, cinema, radio, television, up to digital media) will be analysed with attention both to technological development and to the impact on modern mass societies, relating the functioning of the media to the whole of cultural, social, economic and political processes. On the basis of numerous case studies and through a comparative approach, the lectures will focus in particular on the use of the media as instruments of information, entertainment, and commercial or political propaganda.

Specific in-depth studies will focus on: a) American mass culture and its hegemony on a global scale; b) political communication and electoral campaigns in Republican Italy.

Readings/Bibliography

The programme is the same for attending and non-attending students.

- L. Gorman, D. McLean, Media e società nel mondo contemporaneo, Il Mulino, Bologna 2011 (o edizioni successive)

- A.M. Banti, Wonderland. La cultura di massa da Walt Disney ai Pink Floyd, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2017 (o edizioni successive)

- E. Novelli, Le campagne elettorali in Italia. Protagonisti, strumenti, teorie, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2018

- Lecture slides provided by the professor on Virtuale.

Teaching methods

Lectures with use of Powerpoint and audiovisual materials. Frequent attempts at interaction with students in the classroom.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of a written test, which will take place in the computer lab (further details will be provided at the beginning of the course).

Attending students may take an intermediate examination (recommended but optional).

Erasmus students may agree on a specific examination programme and arrangements with the lecturer.

Thorough in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course, together with analytical and critical skills and command of the specific language, will qualify for top marks (30-30L).

A good grasp of the topics covered in the course, together with good critical analysis and command of the specific language, will qualify for high marks (27-29).

A more mechanical and less articulate grasp, and/or correct use of language though not always appropriate, will qualify for a medium-range mark (23-26).

Weak analytical capacity and frequently inappropriate language – together with some knowledge of exam material – will receive a pass mark or little more (18-22).

Teaching tools

Audio-visual materials and Powerpoint presentations (slides will be uploaded to the Virtuale platform before each lesson).

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Pasetti