CODE 72984 ACADEMIC YEAR 2023/2024 CREDITS 6 cfu anno 1 INFORMAZIONE ED EDITORIA 8769 (LM-19) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 2 SCIENZE STORICHE 9917 (LM-84) - GENOVA 6 cfu anno 1 METODOLOGIE FILOSOFICHE 8465 (LM-78) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR SPS/02 LANGUAGE Italian TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB 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 Public opinion, misinformation and storytelling from classic propaganda to Elon Musk 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 contemporary public opinion (most notably, on issues such as climate change, e-democracy, the experts' role etc.). RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY For students who attend classes on a regular basis. Two books chosen among the following: - E. L. Bernays, Propaganda. L’arte di manipolare l'opinione pubblica, Milano, Shake Edizioni, 2020; - M. Mann, La nuova guerra del clima, Milano, Edizioni Ambiente, 2021 (pages 11-110 and 201-294); - F. Martini, La fabbrica delle verità. L'Italia immaginaria della propaganda da Mussolini a Grillo, Venezia, Marsilio, 2017; - L. McIntyre, Post-verità, Torino, Utet, 2019; - G. Origgi, Caccia alla verità. Persuasione e propaganda ai tempi del virus e della guerra, Milano, Egea edizioni, 2022; - M. F. Ottaviani, Brigate russe. La guerra occulta del Cremlino contro l'Occidente, Milano, Bompiani, 2023 (pages 7-13, 49-141 and 169-251). For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis. Three books chosen among the following: - E. L. Bernays, Propaganda. L’arte di manipolare l'opinione pubblica, Milano, Shake Edizioni, 2020; - M. Mann, La nuova guerra del clima, Milano, Edizioni Ambiente, 2021 (pages 11-110 and 201-294); - F. Martini, La fabbrica delle verità. L'Italia immaginaria della propaganda da Mussolini a Grillo, Venezia, Marsilio, 2017; - L. McIntyre, Post-verità, Torino, Utet, 2019; - G. Origgi, Caccia alla verità. Persuasione e propaganda ai tempi del virus e della guerra, Milano, Egea edizioni, 2022; - M. F. Ottaviani, Brigate russe. La guerra occulta del Cremlino contro l'Occidente, Milano, Bompiani, 2023 (pages 7-13, 49-141 and 169-251). TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD ALBERTO GIORDANO Ricevimento: First Semester: Monday 2-4 PM, Via Balbi 30/24 (seventh floor). Second Semester: Monday 10-12 AM, Via Balbi 30/24 (seventh floor). Exam Board ALBERTO GIORDANO (President) MIRELLA AGNESE PASINI ANDREA CATANZARO (Substitute) LESSONS LESSONS START September 25, 2023 Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy 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 Data appello Orario Luogo Degree type Note 17/01/2024 09:00 GENOVA Orale 31/01/2024 09:00 GENOVA Orale 08/05/2024 10:00 GENOVA Orale 05/06/2024 09:00 GENOVA Orale 19/06/2024 09:00 GENOVA Orale 17/07/2024 09:00 GENOVA Orale 11/09/2024 09:00 GENOVA Orale 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 Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals Industry, innovation and infrastructure Peace, justice and strong institutions