95892 - Performing Arts and Active Citizenship (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students – they will know the meaning of performing arts and active citizenship; – they will know the theorical basis and the referring models of performing arts and of the activa citizenship; – they will know good practices of performing arts to promote active citizenship; – they are able to carry out the work of several local sinergies in order to promote a development perspective of performing arts and social innovation; - they will be able to promote the partecipation to practices of active citizenship and performing arts; - they will be able to analyse the debate about active citizenship and performing arts topics to develop active cultural participation.

Course contents

The profound social, cultural, and political transformations shaping the contemporary world—including growing inequalities, increasing cultural diversity, migration, the crisis of democratic participation, and the fragmentation of social ties—call for educational and cultural approaches capable of fostering inclusion, participation, and community development.

Within this context, the course explores the relationship between performing arts, cultural participation, and active citizenship, adopting the paradigm of cultural democracy as its guiding framework. Culture is understood not merely as a heritage to be accessed and appreciated, but as a shared space for creating meaning, building relationships, and generating social innovation, where every individual has the right to participate, contribute, and have their cultural expression recognised.

Performing arts are therefore examined as educational, participatory, and transformative practices capable of fostering empowerment, strengthening democratic citizenship, and supporting community development. The dialogue between performing arts, pedagogy, and the social sciences provides a transdisciplinary perspective for understanding the complexity of contemporary societies and for designing interventions oriented towards social justice, cultural accessibility, and collective well-being.

The course approaches cultural participation as a fundamental citizenship right, recognised by Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948), Article 9 of the Italian Constitution, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity (2001), and the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005). Within this framework, participation in cultural life is understood as an essential dimension of democracy, social cohesion, and human development.

Particular attention will be devoted to the contribution of participatory arts, community theatre, and cultural welfare as practices that foster social innovation, cultural accessibility, and individual and collective well-being. The course will examine projects and models that highlight the role of culture in building inclusive communities, promoting intercultural dialogue, preventing social isolation, and contributing to the regeneration of places and communities.

The course focuses in particular on the following areas:

• Theoretical foundations of performing arts, cultural democracy, and cultural participation, with reference to the main pedagogical, artistic, and socio-cultural approaches.
• Cultural rights, democratic citizenship, and cultural welfare, examining the right to cultural participation as a fundamental dimension of human development, well-being, and social justice.
• Performing arts, empowerment, and community development, analysing the contribution of participatory arts and community theatre to the promotion of participation, inclusion, social innovation, and territorial cohesion.
• Cultural accessibility and participatory planning and design, exploring strategies and methodologies for making culture more accessible and for developing collaborative processes among cultural institutions, educational services, third-sector organisations, and local communities.
• Cultural and social regeneration of places and communities, examining the contribution of artistic practices to the enhancement of the commons, the development of inclusive communities, and the strengthening of active citizenship.

The course aims to develop the critical, planning, and relational competencies required for future professionals to design, implement, and evaluate interventions in which performing arts become tools for cultural participation, social innovation, and community development.

Readings/Bibliography

Compulsory textes for all students:

L. Gobbi, F. Zanetti (a cura di), Teatri re-esistenti. Confronti su teatro e cittadinanze, Corazzano (PI), Titivillus, 2011.

S. Consiglio, A. Riitano (a cura di), Sud innovation. Patrimonio Culturale, Innovazione sociale e NUova Cittadinanza, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2014.

One of the following texts at your choice:

S. Consiglio, A. Riitano (a cura di), Sud innovation. Patrimonio Culturale, Innovazione sociale e NUova Cittadinanza, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2014.

F. De Biase, Una città laboratorio culturale. Torino: storie, esperienze, strategie, Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2022.

A. Riitano, Artigiani dell'immaginario. Cultura, fiducia e cocreazione, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2019.

P. Bommarito (a cura di), "Participation", Anno VII, n.24, gennaio – aprile 2017, roots§routes Research on visual cultures https://www.roots-routes.org/

C. Alga e P. Bommarito (a cura di), "Ricco patrimonio/ Povera patria", Anno XI, n.37, settembre - dicembre 2021, roots§routes Research on visual cultures https://www.roots-routes.org/

M. Sorrentino, Teatro in alta sicurezza, Corazzano (PI), Titivillus, 2018.

M. Sorrentino, Teatro partecipato, Corazzano (PI), Titivillus, 2009.

(The list of optional readings is currently being finalized)

Erasmus and other international students:

The course is open to Erasmus and other international students. They are kindly request to contact Prof. ssa Federica Zanetti to agree with her a specific programme.

Teaching methods

The course is based on a participatory and active teaching approach. The classroom becomes a place more and more focused on teaching methods and strategies able to encourage and facilitate the learning process in their link with the territory, with what's beyond the classroom. Lectures will be integrated by deepening classes and active role of the students in the analysis of the problems and innovative experiences. Students will be involved through discussions, case studies (also presented as privileged witnesses and experts), cooperative group-works.

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.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an oral and individual examination (with a vote expressed in thirtieths).

Students are required to register for the examination through the online registration system by the published deadline. Failure to register within the prescribed timeframe may result in exclusion from the examination. Students experiencing technical difficulties that prevent registration must notify the Academic Office without delay, and no later than the official registration deadline. The lecturer reserves the right to decide whether such students may be admitted to the examination.

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 objectives.

Teaching tools

During the lectures, technogical devices and material for teamwork will be used. The lectures will be integrated with documentaries and films and deepening classes.

 

Office hours

See the website of Federica Zanetti