15958 - History of Mass Communications (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires the essential tools for understanding the historical processes that condition the formation and development of the mass communications system in contemporary society; moreover he/she is able to analyze the evolution of the media over the last 150 years, highlighting the multiple and complex correlations with the more general historical context.

Course contents

The course will explore the history of the contemporary era, focusing on the interplay between politics, communication, the economy and society. Using a comparative and transnational approach, the course will examine the links between the mass media and broader cultural, economic, political and social processes. The various forms of mass media (the press, the telegraph, radio, cinema, television and digital media) will be analysed through specific case studies. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between the public sphere and the mass media.

Readings/Bibliography

INSTITUTIONAL PART

Attending students will study the topics covered in class from the following texts:

• Mauro Forno, Informazione e potere. Storia del giornalismo italiano, Laterza, Roma, 2012 (chapters and/or paragraphs indicated in class).
• Matteo Pasetti, Storia delle comunicazioni e della cultura di massa, Le Monnier-Mondadori Education, 2026. (chapters and/or paragraphs indicated in class)

NON-attending students will study the following texts:

• Mauro Forno, Informazione e potere. Storia del giornalismo italiano, Laterza, Roma, 2012.
• Matteo Pasetti, Storia delle comunicazioni e della cultura di massa, Le Monnier-Mondadori Education, 2026.

MONOGRAPHIC PART:
Attending students prepare the following text:

• Enzo Traverso, Rivoluzione. 1789-1989. Un’altra storia, Feltrinelli, 2021

Non-attending students prepare a text of their choice from those listed below:

• Silvia Pizzirani, Il consumo è una cosa seria. Storia politica e culturale degli anni Settanta, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2025
• F. Triola, L'orologio del potere. Stato e misura del tempo nell'Italia contemporanea, 1749-1922, Il Mulino, 2023.

6-CREDIT COURSE SYLLABUS FOR STUDENTS WITH AN OUTSTANDING EXAM:

• Matteo Pasetti, Storia delle comunicazioni e della cultura di massa, Le Monnier-Mondadori Education, 2026. (tutto)
• F. Triola, L'orologio del potere. Stato e misura del tempo nell'Italia contemporanea, 1749-1922, Il Mulino, 2023 (tutto)

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 (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures. The teacher will always be present in the classroom designated for teaching.

Assessment methods

Attending students:


two written tests of 5 open-ended questions on the institutional part of the course (the first one will take place in the middle of the course and the second one at the end of the lectures) and one written test of 5 open-ended questions on the monographic part during the normal examination appointments.
Non-attending students


The learning assessment will be carried out by means of a written test of 15 open-ended questions on the institutional part and the monographic part. Students will have to demonstrate their knowledge and ability to critically rework the contents of the texts indicated in the institutional part and in the monographic part.
In the formulation of the grade in thirtieths, account will be taken of the possession of a mastery of expression and specific language, of the structural and historical-contextual understanding of the topics addressed. Formative deficiencies, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliography as well as lack of knowledge and understanding and inability to analyse the history of mass communications between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries can only be assessed negatively.


The lecturer reserves the right to modify the test methods.

Students who still need to pass the exam (6-CFU and 12-CFU syllabi, academic years 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26) will take the exam orally.

To take the exam, it is necessary to register for the list via the Alma Esami service. Non-registered students will not be admitted to take the examination. It is also necessary for registered students, if they decide not to appear for the exam, to remove themselves from the roll call list. We also remind you that it is necessary to present yourself at the roll-call with your University of Bologna credentials and an identification document.


Students who have included the examination in their study plan in previous academic years are invited to contact the lecturer in order to agree on how the examination will be conducted.

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

Powerpoint and video.

 

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Triola