Scheda insegnamento

Prerequisiti

PRE-REQUISITES

Adequate knowledge in contemporary history of the Western world. Basic knowledge in communication theories. Basic knowledge in sociological theories. Comprehension of oral and written English at least at CEFR level B2. If necessary, and especially if indicated during the initial interviews, students must make use of the peer language tutoring service offered by the University.

Obiettivi formativi - Risultati di apprendimento attesi

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The course aims to enable students to:

• Acquire basic and advanced knowledge in the field of journalism, with specific reference to the dynamics of the relationship with the more general media system and the political system.
• Acquire skills in reading and interpreting individual and complex information products (news, newspaper, portal, etc.).
• Acquire awareness about the changes in the relationship among journalism, the market, technologies, the sources and the public, within contemporary democratic societies.
• Develop a critical perspective on information products as well as on the cultures and practices of the journalistic profession in various national contexts.
• Know how to connect the treatment of news on certain topics to the system of sources-media-public relations.

Contenuto del corso

COURSE CONTENT

First part

• Social history of journalism at an international level. Elite and popular journalism.
• Elements and problems of journalistic work. The production chain.
• Newsmaking in sociological approaches. Sources. Production routines and newsworthiness.
• The relational approach to journalistic work.
• Historical problems of journalism in the United States and Europe: objectivity, use of sources, relationship with the system of power, cultural autonomy of the journalistic profession and media logics.

Second part

• Models of journalism. Modelling criteria and concepts.
• Three main models: Euro-Mediterranean, corporatist (Northern European), liberal (Atlantic).
• Discussing about models. New perspectives in the evaluation of differences at an international level.
• Advocacy in journalism.
• Digital journalism and connected publics. New criteria for newsworhiness.

Third part

• Analysis of different approaches to an issue by different outlets in Europe: an application by team work.

Metodi didattici

TEACHING METHODS

For "attending" students

Lesson is the main teaching format. Students will be invited to interact, alsio on the base of proposed material for discussion. In two specific phases, a practical application of guide-lines will be organized, for an analysis by group-work. In the LOL platform, various materials (slides, schemes, summaries, guide-lines) will be available in order to support an adequate preparation towards the exam.

For non "attending" students

In the LOL platform, various materials (slides, schemes, summaries, guide-lines) will be available in order to facilitate autonomy in study and to support an adequate preparation towards the exam.

The digital platforms LOL and Teams will be used, including for distance learning methods according to the indications developed by the CdS.

Compensatory or dispensation measures will be provided to students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), as certified by the document filed with the Segreteria Studenti. Requests will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For adapting the programme/assessment methods, students should set up a time to discuss with the lecturer. Please, get in touch well in advance also via the "Committee for Diversity and Inclusion" (Commissione per le differenze e l’inclusione - differenze-inclusione@unistrapg.it ).

Metodi di accertamento

Oral exam

Regular course attendance and active participation in the work-group exercise are a primary evaluation element; the ability in managing and connecting concepts are the central purpose of the dialogue that will take place during the oral exam. No written test will be proposed. No in itinere assessment will be done.

For students with disability or specific learning disorder (SLD) certifications, examination procedures will be agreed upon based on their specific needs, following consultation with the "Committee for Diversity and Inclusion".

Testi di esame

Selected scientific articles and chapters, to be chosen in accordance with the teacher (available in the LOL platform).

Testi di consultazione e approfondimento

Batsell J. (2015), Engaged Journalism: Connecting with Digitally Empowered News Audiences, Columbia University Press, New York. Boydstun A. E. (2013), Making the News. Politics, the Media, and the Agenda Setting, University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Entman R.M. (1989), Democracy Without Citizens. Media and the Decay of American Politics, Oxford University Press, New York-Oxford. Schudson M. (1978), Discovering the News. A Social History of American Newspapers, Basic Books, New York. Schudson M. (2003), The Sociology of News, Norton, New York. Siebert F.S., Peterson T., Schramm W. (1956), Four Theories of the Press. The Authoritarian, Libertarian, Social Responsibility, and Soviet Communist Concepts of What the Press Should Be and Do, University of Illinois Press, Urbana-Champaign.

Altre informazioni

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The teacher will be available to support students once a week, after the second weekly lesson, and anyway on Microsoft Teams (“Ricevimento”), after specific appointment (write to rolando.marini@unistrapg.it).

To be considered attending students, participants must be present for at least two-thirds of the scheduled classes. Students are requested to inform the instructor of their intention to attend the course or follow it as non-attending students within 10 days of its start.