B1441 - METODI E STRUMENTI PER IL CONTRASTO DELLE DISCRIMINAZIONI NELL'ERA DIGITALE

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: knows which are the main forms of discrimination, their intersectionality, the issues related to them and the role of media and social media in amplifying or limiting their social impacts; knows the political and social actions through which to counter these phenomena, both at a local and national scale; knows and can apply useful tools for planning and implementing communication actions aimed at raising awareness of different actors and social institutions for a culture of differences and respect for all diversities (gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnic and national origin, religion, disability).

Course contents

The course aims to provide students with theoretical elements for understanding the mechanisms governing the phenomena of discrimination (gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnic and national origin, religion, disability), with a special focus on hate speech and cyberbullying, their various manifestations (explicit and non-explicit) and their effects on the people affected and on society as a whole. Furthermore, the course provides empirical tools for planning actions to raise awareness and counter hate speech, deconstruct stereotypes and build positive narratives to contribute to a culture of differences against all forms of discrimination.

The course, conducted by professionals and experts, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organisations, cooperatives, associations and networks working in the field of anti-discrimination, will actively involve students in the creation of a communication campaign aimed at raising awareness of young people aged between 11 and 19 and engaging them to contrast hate speech.

At the end of the course the student: knows which are the main forms of discrimination, their intersectionality, the issues related to them and the role of media and social media in amplifying or limiting their social impacts; knows the political and social actions through which to counter these phenomena, both at a local and national scale; knows and can apply useful tools for planning and implementing communication actions aimed at raising awareness of different actors and social institutions for a culture of differences and respect for all diversities (gender, sexual orientation and gender identity, ethnic and national origin, religion, disability).

A limited number of students on the course will be offered the opportunity to participate in a hackathon during which participants, accompanied by facilitators and experts on the topic, will collaboratively develop innovative ideas useful for the realisation of an awareness-raising campaign/toolkit against hate speech.

Readings/Bibliography

The course is based on active participation in class and on group work to be developed with the professionals who will speak in class. The reference bibliography will be provided during the seminars.

Teaching methods

The course prioritises an approach based on participative and active teaching. Frontal lectures will be supplemented by in-depth discussions and direct comparisons with problems and innovative experiments. Students will be required to be actively involved, through class discussions, analysis of case studies, and group work to be presented in class.

Assessment methods

Given the seminar's educational objectives, attendance is strongly recommended. In addition to knowledge of the syllabus, the assessment will take into account the students' active participation in the lectures, their capacity to develop arguments independently, and their ability to develop a shared and innovative reflection on how to implement an awareness-raising campaign against hate speech and phenomena.

Teaching tools

The teaching tools are oral, technological, and experiencial.
To prepare for the examination, the student is required to prepare the texts indicated in the seminars and to process the information (data, case studies, etc.) that will be presented during the seminars.
An extensive bibliography will be provided for those wishing to study the subject in greater depth.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Giacomelli