93545 - Communication Laboratory (Lm) (G.G)

Learning outcomes

The workshop aims to provide students with both theoretical and practical skills in the field of institutional relations and power relations between decision-making actors, both political and social, with particular attention to lobbying and advocacy tactics and strategies. At the end of the workshop, the student: - has a thorough knowledge of what it means to be a lobbyist; - masters the main lobbying and advocacy techniques, 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 four parts. The first part (6 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 three introductory lectures, one of which will be dedicated to the viewing of a film with lobbying as its main subject. The second part (8 hours) is, instead, characterised by a more seminar-like approach: following a brief theoretical-analytical introduction, by the lecturer, to the theme in question (in detail: back-office lobbying; front-office lobbying; lobbying vs. advocacy; coalitional lobbying), for each of the four lessons which make up this part, students will be asked to present some readings in the classroom (one each), from which a general discussion will originate. The third part (10 hours), of further practical and professional study, sees the involvement of a number of professional lobbyists, who from time to time will testify to the boundaries, characteristics and limits of the profession, supporting their speeches with the restitution of their own direct experience; this third part will conclude with the viewing of a second feature film dedicated to the themes of lobbying and advocacy. Finally, the fourth part (6 hours) is entirely dedicated to the simulation of a lobbying context in the classroom: students, divided into working groups, are called upon to prepare (first lesson), formalise (second lesson) and present to the class (third lesson) a composite lobbying strategic plan starting from a series of political, media and technological context information, provided directly in the classroom by the lecturer.

Readings/Bibliography

- Reference text: Pritoni A. (2021), Politica e interessi. Il lobbying nelle democrazie contemporanee. Bologna, Il Mulino (chapters 1 and 4).
- Readings to be presented in the classroom by students (lessons 4-5-6-7): to be defined, depending on the number of students participating in the workshop.

Teaching methods

The workshop is conducted according to multiple and differentiated teaching methods: from the traditional ‘frontal lecture’ (first part), to more seminar-based methods (second part); from the involvement of external professionals (third part), to classroom exercises in working groups (fourth part). In addition, there will be a viewing (and subsequent brief discussion) of two feature films dedicated to the themes of lobbying and advocacy.

Assessment methods

The qualification will be obtained following attendance of at least ten lessons out of the fifteen scheduled, as well as the elaboration and subsequent presentation of the lobbying strategic plan prepared within the working groups.

Teaching tools

The lectures will be complemented by PowerPoint presentations, the viewing of two feature films that have the topics of lobbying and advocacy as their main objects of reflection, and a number of seminars held by professional lobbyists.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Pritoni