49548 - History of Mass Communication (1) (O-Z)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student should:

- Understand the major developments in media history.

- Understand the complex relationship between technological, social, cultural, and economic developments in media.

- Understand the role of the media in building mass culture, distinguishing between global trends and local features.

Course contents

The course provides the history of mass media from the 19th century to the present. It will focus, with a comparative and transnational approach, on linkages between mass communication and the cultural, social, economic and political contexts. Each emerging communication technology or mass medium (journal, cinema, radio, television and digital media) will be analysed by several case studies. Particular attention will be paid to the adversiting and its connection to the development of the media landscape.

Readings/Bibliography

- L. Gorman, D. Mclean, Media e società nel mondo contemporaneo, Il Mulino, Bologna 2011 or subsequent editions (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, Conclusioni)

- F. Fasce, Le anime del commercio. Pubblicità e consumi nel secolo americano, Carocci, Roma 2012 or subsequent editions

Teaching methods

First half of the course: remote lessons.

Second half: blended teaching activities, held in classrooms but also accessible remotely.

Lessons will be backed by power point as well as movies and web resources.

Official language: Italian.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of a written test, taking place in a computer lab (if the conditions related to the Covid19 emergency will allow it; alternatively the examination will take place online). In 60 minutes the students will have to answer 2 open questions on the topics of lessons and textbooks.

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations weekly uploaded in the educational web page “Materiali didattici”.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Pasetti