15540 - Sports Journalism

Learning outcomes

The course aims to develop theoretical-empirical skills in the field of news production and analysis, with particular reference to that relating to sport and physical activities. The goal is to understand the Mass communication theories, in order to better decode and recode the social representation of sport conveyed by the "new media" and the mass media.

Course contents

The Sports Journalism Course aims to illustrate the main newsmaking processes (construction and distribution of news) and the related communication theories, useful for understanding the processes that take place in the field of journalistic communication, especially for sport news.

You will evaluate the social functions performed by journalism and the changes taking place in social relations - in sports and communications - favored by “old” and “new” media.

At the end of the course the student will be able to understand and identify the changes in the sphere of sports communication (in particular mass-media strategies of TV, radio, newspapers, and social media) and the most relevant aspects of the journalist’s profession, such as the newsworthiness criteria; credibility and manipulation in journalistic communication. In addition, special emphasis will be given to the socio-cultural processes that regulate the work of sports journalists and the new protagonists of the "mediatization" of sport (publisher, clubs and sports institutions, athletes, sponsor companies, and communication agencies).

In the end will be deepened the relationship between sport and integration, in particular with the analysis of the information processing of sports news concerning racism, disability, and gender equality.

Readings/Bibliography

READINGS / BIBLIOGRAPHY: For the purpose of the exam, students must bring the two following books:

• Sorrentino C., Bianda E., «Studiare giornalismo. Ambiti, logiche, attori». Carocci, Roma, 2013:solo i capitoli 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 e 11.
• Porro N., Martelli S., Russo G., «Il Mondiale delle Meraviglie. Calcio, media e società da “Italia 90” a oggi».Franco Angeli, 2016, Milano: solo i capitoli 1, 2 e 3.

For further information and readings:

• Germano I. S., Martelli S., Russo G., «I Mondiali di calcio da cerimonia sportiva a “global entertainment”. Cambiamenti e profili delle audience televisive nel terzo millennio». Problemi dell’Informazione 1/2015, Il Mulino, Bologna.
• Spalletta M., Ugolini L., «(Ti)fare informazione. Il giornalismo sportivo italiano e la sfida della credibilità». Aracne, 2016, Roma: chapter 3.
• Condò P., «Porte Aperte. 30 avventure negli stadi più belli del mondo». Baldini e Castoldi, 2020, Milano.
• Luzzi E., «Tutto il calcio minuto per minuto. Mondiale, Olimpiade e altre storie». Baldini e Castoldi, 2020, Milano.
• Bradshaw T., Minogue Daragh., «Sports Journalism. The State of Play». Routledge, 2020, New York: chapters 1, 6, 7, 8, 9.
• Hutchins B., Rowe D., «Sport Beyond Television. The Internet, Digital Media and the Rise of Networked Media Sport». Routledge, 2012, New York: chapters 4 and 6.

Teaching methods

Lectures and case studies illustrated with the help of new communication technologies.

Assessment methods

The 2020/2021 sports journalism exam consists of an written test (multiple choice examination) during the exam session and an optional project work in groups for the last day of class, concerning issues and topics related to journalism and sports communication that the student will be able to select among the themes proposed in class.

 

Teaching tools

Educational materials available on the internet, especially on the SportComLab website (www.sportcomlab.it) - Sports Communication Laboratory of the "Alma Mater".

Videos, posts and ad hoc readings regarding the topics of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Enrico Marini