93031 - Data Journalism Laboratory

Learning outcomes

The laboratory provides students with notions and useful tools to carry out a work of inquiry or a report on issues of national or international politics based on the collection and analysis of data and their processing in graphic and audiovisual format.

At the end of the workshop the student:

- knows the main data journalism techniques;

- possess skills in logical, computational thinking and digital creativity;

- will be able to use statistical and social science tools and methodologies typical of audiovisual graphic visualization to process and represent large volumes of data relating to national and international political issues in Italian and English.

Course contents

The course includes 20 hours of face-to-face lessons divided into 5 lessons of four hours each where training and exercises will alternate.

As part of the seminar, the following topics will be explored:

- Differences between journalism and academic research.

- The importance of sources.

- Systematization, verification and analysis of databases.

- Understanding of different types of audiences.

- Writing an article.

- Advanced search tools.

Teaching methods

Each lesson will be divided between a first part dedicated to frontal lectures with discussion (about 1 hour) followed by practical exercises on the topic of the lesson and on the preparation and drafting of a final article (about 3 hours).

Assessment methods

In order to pass the mark for the workshop, the student must have attended at least 80% of the lessons. The presence of students in class will be recorded every lesson.

Students will work in groups and present a final project. The latter will consist of an article written during the workshop, which will serve as the final evaluation of the workshop.

Teaching tools

Personal computer, smart-phone, internet connection, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Fava