OVERVIEW

The course's aim resides in getting students acquainted with the main patterns in the evolution of the concept of 'public opinion', focusing both on historical examples and contemporary issues (the future of public opinion, new media, fake news, post-truth etc.).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Helping students to get in touch with the most relevant topics developed by classical and contemporary theories of public opinion. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims:

- Defining context and purpose of the history of public opinion

- Assessing the main patterns in the evolution of public opinion by way of precise and specific lectures

- Introducing students to the knowledge of the most important works in the history of public opinion

- Supplying intellectual tools in order to grasp the meaning of contemporary debates on new media and public opinion

Learning Outcomes:

- Comprehension and commentary of classic and contemporary texts

- Reinforcement of argumentative skills as to political communication

- Ability to grasp the conceptual roots of contemporary debates on public opinion and new media

PREREQUISITES

- Interest for political and communication

- Basic knowledge of historical eras

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures, reading of classic, modern and contemporary texts plus direct participation of students by means, as well, of the online platform Aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Truth, information, democracy. The manipulation of contemporary public opinion .

The course will present the main patterns in the evolution of the concept of 'public opinion' from the era of democratic revolutions to the most recent trends. A special focus will be devoted to the machinery of propaganda and the impact of social media and post-truth politics on the manipulation of public opinion.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For students who attend classes on a regular basis.

1) E. L. Bernays, Propaganda. L’arte di manipolare l'opinione pubblica, Prato, Piano B edizioni, 2018  (save chapters VII e IX);

2) Two books chosen among the following:

- G. Cosentino, L'era della post-verità. Media e populismi dalla Brexit a Trump, Reggio Emilia, Imprimatur, 2017 (pages 7-48 and 81-188);

- F. Martini, La fabbrica delle verità. L'Italia immaginaria della propaganda da Mussolini a Grillo, Venezia, Marsilio, 2017 (pages 9-78 and 109-181);

- L. McIntyre, Post-verità, Torino, Utet, 2019;

- C. Salmon, Fake. Come la politica internazionale ha divorato se stessa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2020.

For student who do not attend classes on a regular basis.

1) A book chosen among the following:

- M. Ferri, L’opinione pubblica in democrazia. Ruolo, analisi, prospettive, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2017;  

- M. Lenci, Il Leviatano invisibile. L’opinione pubblica nella storia del pensiero politico, Pisa, Edizioni ETS, 2012.

2) E. L. Bernays, Propaganda. L’arte di manipolare l'opinione pubblica, Prato, Piano B edizioni, 2018 ;

3) Two books chosen among the following:

- G. Cosentino, L'era della post-verità. Media e populismi dalla Brexit a Trump, Reggio Emilia, Imprimatur, 2017 (pages 7-48 and 81-188);

- F. Martini, La fabbrica delle verità. L'Italia immaginaria della propaganda da Mussolini a Grillo, Venezia, Marsilio, 2017 (pages 9-78 and 109-181);

- L. McIntyre, Post-verità, Torino, Utet, 2019;

- C. Salmon, Fake. Come la politica internazionale ha divorato se stessa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2020.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALBERTO GIORDANO (President)

ANDREA CATANZARO

MIRELLA PASINI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 5, 2020

Class schedule

HISTORY OF PUBLIC OPINION

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be carried out by means of an oral test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The final test will ascertain the students’ knowledge and  comprehension of classic and contemporary texts, the reinforcement of their argumentative skills as to political issues and the ability to grasp the historical and conceptual roots of contemporary debates.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis, are kindly asked to get in touch with prof. Giordano by writing an e-mail to alberto.giordano@edu.unige.it