89972 - History of Communication in the Modern and Contemporary Eras

Learning outcomes

Student learning goals and outcomes: The aim of the course is to provide students with tools for studying, analyzing, and understanding the evolution of the world of printed communication from Gutenberg's invention of movable type to the present day. We will explore the links between this evolution and the cultural, political, and social development of Italy as well as other countries. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the major milestones for the world of communication over the last five and a half centuries as well as its influence on the development of modern public opinion. They will learn how the profession of journalism began and expanded, and develop a deeper understanding of the evolution of publishing over the centuries. With this background, they will have a firm grasp of how to orient themselves in the field of communication in the third millennium.

Course contents

As a result of the progressive establishment of open societies, based on the exchange of information between the various subjects operating in the economic, political, social and cultural contesxt, journalistic communication cannot fail to intertwine its modalities with the characteristics of the society in which it is immersed. All the large and small variables that act in a collective environment, determining its physiognomy, even if this can never be underestimated in its ability to guide these variables.

It is this complexity that the course intends to deal with, both through general considerations, and in in-depth sample analyzes on historical moments of particular significance referring to the reality of our country, up to the most recent steps marked by the technological "revolution".

Readings/Bibliography

Non attending students:

- Giovanni Gozzini, Storia del giornalismo, Milano, Pearson-Bruno Mondadori, 2020;

and another book chosen between:

- Pierluigi Allotti, La libertà di stampa, Bologna, il Mulino, 2020;

- Luca Gorgolini (a cura di), Media digitali e disinformazione, Bologna, BUP, 2022;

- G. Turi, Libri e lettori nell'Italia repubblicana, Roma, Carocci, 2018

Attending students:

- Giovanni Gozzini, Storia del giornalismo, Milano, Pearson-Bruno Mondadori, 2020

and lecture notes.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods

The exam is oral, and includes a verification of basic knowledge with attention to the ability to understand the problems faced during the lessons; the knowledge of the discipline in its historical development will be verified, the ability to frame the objects studied in their context, and to discuss them critically. The quality of oral expression and the ability to construct a logical-argumentative speech will also be taken into account.


The final evaluation will follow the following indications:


- insufficient grade: lack of basic knowledge and inability to produce a correct interpretation of the texts and / or problems -


- sufficient grade: possession of basic knowledge; mainly correct interpretation, but conducted with imprecision and little autonomy.


- good grade: possession of intermediate level knowledge; fully correct interpretation, but not always precise and autonomous.


- excellent grade: possession of high level knowledge; interpretation of problems not only correct but conducted with autonomy and precision. Excellent oral expression skills.

Only for the students attending the course, there will be the possibility of writing an essay. The method will be explained during the first lesson of the course.

Teaching tools

Images and sources commentary.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Malfitano