OVERVIEW

The course is addressed to those who aim at gaining a good knowledge of the varieties of Italian in order to work in the field of publishing and journalism.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of Italian language with reference to its diachronic, geographical, social and contextual variations. The course will have a specific focus on the history of the language of journalism, from the birth of daily presses to the new media. Practice exercises (i.e. textual analyses).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

- recognise the tradition of Italian morphosyntax and lexicon, highlighting their historical foundations and their evolution

- describe the architecture of the varieties of contemporary Italian

- recognise the distinctive features of varieties of Italian

- identify and recognise the distinctive features of the language of the media and in particular of journalistic language

- analyse texts of various natures and origins, including both printed and digital journalistic texts

- adapt one's communication to the context, improving one's functional literacy skills

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of Italian and its sociolinguistics.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures; practice exercises.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department's disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Brief outline of the history of the Italian language. The language of journalism in comparison with the various sectorial languages and in the more general framework of the history of Italian and its recent changes.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Reading and Bibliography for those who do attend classes:

- lecture notes

- reading material on Aulaweb 

- R. Gualdo, La lingua dei giornali, Cesati, Firenze, 2025.

- R. Gualdo, L'italiano dei giornali, Carocci, Roma, 2017 (o edizioni successive).

- P. D'Achille, L'italiano contemporaneo, il Mulino, Bologna, 2019.

Reading and Bibliography for those who do not attend classes:

- reading material on Aulaweb

- R. Gualdo, La lingua dei giornali, Cesati, Firenze, 2025.

- R. Gualdo, L'italiano dei giornali, Carocci, Roma, 2017 (o edizioni successive).

- P. D'Achille, L'italiano contemporaneo, il Mulino, Bologna, 2019.

- C. Marazzini, Breve storia della lingua italiana, il Mulino, Bologna (all editions).

In addition, : C. Marazzini, Breve storia della lingua italiana, il Mulino, Bologna.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written paper and oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will focus on the topics of the course. In addition to that, students will discuss a written paper to be delivered at least ten days before the examination date. Whereas the oral part of the examination will tend to ascertain the expository abilities and the correct use of the specific terminology, the written paper is intended to verify the ability to adequately articulate the investigation of a text and the formation of a critical judgment on its style.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Non attendants must write to manuela.manfredini@unige.it