77811 - Laboratory (3) (G.D)

Learning outcomes

The workshop aims to offer students both theoretical and practical skills in the field of electoral communication, with particular reference to the Italian context. At the end of the workshop, students: - have a thorough knowledge of how the way of campaigning in Italy has evolved over time; - master the main techniques of electoral persuasion, with particular attention to the communicative-media context in which they are implemented.

Course contents

The workshop (fifteen lessons of two hours each) consists of three parts. The first part (8 hours), conducted in the traditional manner of the ‘frontal lecture’ (albeit lightened by the continuous involvement of the students in discussing the proposed topics), consists of four introductory lectures devoted to a brief survey of the Italian republican political system and the main theoretical-analytical tools of political and electoral communication. The second part (12 hours), on the other hand, is characterised by a more seminar-based approach: following a brief theoretical-analytical introduction by the lecturer to the historical period under study (in detail: 1946-1960; 1960-1974; 1975-1990; 1994-2005; 2005-2013; 2018-2022), for each of the six lessons that make up this part, students will be asked to present a number of readings (one each) in the classroom, from which a general discussion will be generated, also centred on the viewing of a number of suitably identified election commercials. Finally, in the third part (10 hours) there will be two seminars on the techniques of post-modern electoral campaigns, held by colleagues from other universities, and three exercises to be conducted directly in the classroom: students, divided into working groups, are asked to collect empirical data (first and second lesson), on which they then present a report to the class (third lesson), concerning the social media communication of a number of Italian political leaders, analysed in a comparative perspective with reference to a specific time span.

Readings/Bibliography

• Baldini G. e A. Pritoni (a cura di) (2022), Il sistema politico italiano. Cittadini, attori e istituzioni; Mondadori (capitoli 4-9-10).
• Ceccobelli D. (2017), Facebook al potere. Lo stile della leadership al tempo dei social media; Maggioli Editore (capitoli 1-2).
• Marletti C.A. (2010), La Repubblica dei media. L’Italia dal politichese alla politica iperreale; Il Mulino (capitoli 2-5-8-10-11).
• Novelli E. (2018), Le campagne elettorali in Italia. Protagonisti, strumenti, teorie; Laterza (tutti i capitoli).

Teaching methods

The workshop is conducted according to a variety of different teaching methods: from the traditional ‘frontal lecture’ (first part), to more seminar-like methods (second part); from the involvement of colleagues from other universities, to classroom exercises in working groups (third part). In addition, classroom discussions will (also) focus on the viewing of a good number of TV commercials of an electoral nature, as well as posters, speeches, debates and statements on social media produced by the main Italian political leaders during the Republican period.

Assessment methods

The qualification will be awarded following participation in at least ten of the fifteen lectures scheduled, as well as the preparation and subsequent presentation to the class of the group work scheduled during the concluding exercises.

Teaching tools

The lectures will be supplemented by PowerPoint presentations, the viewing of TV commercials, posters, speeches and debates with electoral purposes, and some seminars held by colleagues from other universities.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Pritoni