81778 - History of Mass Communication (LM)

Learning outcomes

Mass communication is defined as communication reaching large numbers of people through various media, especially since the beginning of mass society. The aim of the course is to study history and development of mass communication. The main topics will be the development and growth of media from the past to the present; the role of media under various political systems and the influence of communication on national building; the relationship between media and politics within different historical environments, in order to understand the importance of media to mass communication both past and present. Particular attention will be given to several case studies to explain the role of media in the states propaganda.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliography for non-attending students and attending students who want to take the written exam on the books

Coose 3 books among the following (1 book for each group)

1)     L. Gorman, D. McLean, Media and Society into the 21st Century. A Historical Introduction, 2009

or

I. Fang, A History of Mass Communication. Six Information Revolutions, 2015 (1st edition 1997), introduzione e capitoli 3-6 e conclusioni

2) J. B. Thompson, The media and Modernity. A Social Theory of the Media, 1995

or

J. Curran, Media and Power, 2002

3) Fascisms:

- D. Welch, The Third Reich. Politics and Propaganda, 2002

or

 - S. Salustri, Orientare l'opinione pubblica. Mezzi di comunicazione e propaganda politica nell'Italia fascista, 2018

Media and War:

- S. Carruthers, The Media at War. Communications and Conflict in the Twentieth Century, 2000 and 2011

or

- M. Connelly, D. Welch (eds), War and the Media. Reportage and Propaganda 1900-2003, 2005

New media:

- S. Papathanassopoulos, Media Perspectives for the 21st century, 2011

or

- A. White, Digital media and society. Transforming Economics, Politics and Social Pratices, 2014

 

Teaching methods

Lectures and films discussion with guided analysis.

Students are required to participate actively in the lessons.

Assessment methods

Non-attending students:

written exam on 3 books chosen among the proposed bibliography; 3 open questions.

Attenting students:

Attending student may write and discuss a short Essay (5000 words ca.) in English. The essay must further develop one of the thematic issues suggested in class.

All essays must include a full scholarly apparatus of footnotes or endnotes to indicate the source of all information, quotations, as well as a full bibliography.

To be considered attending students, students need to participate actively in the lessons and discussions.

Attending students may take the written exam on 3 books chosen among the proposed bibliography (see non-attending students).

Teaching tools

Printed and audiovisual material, PPT, on line resources.

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Mira