OVERVIEW

ECONOMICS OF THE CULTURAL INDUSTRY

The course applies the fundamentals of economic theory to the cultural industry. It will address the issues of demand for culture and production of cultural goods and services; the economic utility and value of such goods and services, the pricing, costs and funding, the economic impact of the cultural and artistic products.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at introducing some specific economic features of different sectors in the cultural industry, along with their production, marketing and consumption patterns. The course also aintends to provide a basic knowledge of the demand models, production processes, markets, management and financial tools; and to introduce some key features of business management and corporate strategies for firms operating in the cultural industry, as well as of the drafting of a business plan.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course focuses on the main current issues in the cultural idustry, in its different sectors: cultural heritage, live performance and entertainment, reproducible artworks, visual arts. For each sector, the fundamentals of demand function, production costs, market structure and competition will be outlined, as well as some macroeconomic issues such as contribution to GDP, employment, induced/multiplier effects, economic impact. Policy issues such as tax policies, incentives, and market regulations are also investigated. 

The course also aims at providing an economic background to topics such as: business intelligence and management; research and forecasts; guidelines for policies and laws.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge in microeconomics, macroeconomics are wlecome, and will be outlined and summarised in the first part of the course.

TEACHING METHODS

Oral lectures, guest lectures and seminars delivered by top representatives of the different sectors, plus a workshop involving students' teamwork and a final essay or multimedial presentation.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The cultural industry: the demand for culture, its utility and people's willingness to pay. The production of culture: goods and services, cost structure, production and distribution. The cultural enterprise and the artists in the different sectors of the cultural industry: cultural heritage, live performance and entertainment, reproducible artworks, visual arts. Market patterns and pricing. Public intervention: funding, (tax) incentives, other funding stretegies. Key aspect in the management/strategies of a cultural enterprise.   

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The slides of the lectures will be available during the course (issued on the Aulaweb). A basic textbook is the following: G. Candela – A. Scorcu (2004) Economia delle Arti, Zanichelli, Bologna: chapters 1-13.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ENRICO MUSSO (President)

CLAUDIO FERRARI

ALESSIO TEI

CLAUDIA BURLANDO (Substitute)

HILDA GHIARA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will start in the second semester (February-May), according to the general timetable issued by the Department.

Class schedule

ECONOMICS OF CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Normally, exams include written tests, oral examinations, whorkshops, short essays, on topics which couple theorical conceptualizations and approaches with specific issues related to real and current problems of the involved sectors.    

Please keep in mind that the prior inscription to the exam through the University website (www.unige.it) is strictly mandatory.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test aims at assessing the learning of basic concepts and information provided in the course, as well as the ability of applying them to the concrete realty, and of properly identifying examples and practical cases. 

Summaries of guest lectures aim at evaluating the students' ability of intepretating external information according to the general framework of the course.  

Short essays and workshops should allow to show the students' ability to autonomously (also in team) set and develop a simple workplan related to the topics of the course, establish findings and draw and discuss coherent conclusions.      

The oral examination is based on a more thorough capacity of elaborating basic concept and information by applying in more complex circumstances and cases. 

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.