OVERVIEW

The course aims at presenting the main tools of international information between traditional journalism and new media, through the in-depth study of historical contexts and specific themes. The invitation to read and listen to the main mass media will be able to promote both the understanding of media mechanisms in the context of international relations and the knowledge of the tools suitable for identifying fake news.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Consistently with the educational objectives of the Degree Course in International and Diplomatic Sciences, this course aims to provide a basic knowledge of the main tools of international information between traditional journalism and new media, offering the appropriate tools to understand the fundamental processes of newsmaking in the field of international journalism. It also intends to promote both the understanding of media mechanisms in the context of international relations, and the ability to recognize, read and query information sources, understanding their reliability and identifying fake news.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will be able to:

• know the main tools of international information between traditional journalism and new media;
• understand the media mechanisms in international relations;
• recognize, read and query information sources, understanding their reliability and identifying fake news.

SDGs

This course contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.

4. Quality Education

5. Gender Equality

10. Reduced Inequalities

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of the Italian language both oral and written. Knowledge of the Italian grammar and spelling.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be in presence but attendance in not compulsory.

The course consists of frontal lectures, for a total of 36 hours, delivered by the lecture. During the lectures, the topics indicated in the “Syllabus/Content” section will be covered, with a focus on some specific cases. During the lectures, slides will be shown, then uploaded to Aulaweb, which will allow attending and non-attending students to have an overview of what has been presented.

There are no ongoing tests or pre-exams or post-exams.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will be dedicated to the presentation and discussion of some specific aspects of international journalism, with extensive references to contemporary events: the process of information mediation and “newsworthiness”; professional ethics; journalistic articles and styles; traditional models of journalism (the model of Hallin and Mancini, New, Investigative, Interpretative, Public and Trustee Journalism); the digital revolution; new journalism models (newsmaking, data journalism, brand journalism, all news); misinformation, disinformation and fake news; international journalism and war journalism; peace journalism; political-economic influences on the media; photojournalism, print journalism, broadcast journalism and radio journalism.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For the exam it is necessary to study:

1. the slides of the lectures published on Aulaweb;
2. the handbook Alessandro Barbano, Manuale di giornalismo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2024;
3. the book Carlo Sorrentino, Il giornalismo ha un futuro, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2025.

Regular reading of newspapers and periodicals is strongly recommended.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

I semester, September 2025.

Classrooms and hours of lectures and exams on Easyacademy Unige: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam (in Italian) consists of a written test lasting one hour.

The written test focuses on the topics covered during the lectures and in the books and indicated in the “Syllabus/Content” section of this teaching sheet. The written test consists of three questions: to pass the exam. Each answer will be scored on a scale of 1 to 10. For sufficiency, all answers must reach the minimum score of 6/10. The final mark out of thirty is given by the sum of the partial marks of the three answers.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The elements of the evaluation are: coherence of the answer to the question; ability to display (property of language); critical ability and to connect one’s knowledge to the international reality.

To pass the exam, all answers must be sufficient.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with “Special Needs”: the compensatory/dispensative tools recognized by the Department coordinator, Prof. Aristide Canepa (Aristide.canepa@unige.it), and by the University Service for students with special needs are applied. It is suggested to contact Prof. Canepa and the lecturer of this course at the beginning of the lectures.