AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Through classroom taught lessons and practical exercises, the module introduces the different contexts in
which the fact becomes news, the newsworthiness criteria, the communication strategies, the languages
used in the different media (newspaper, radio, tv, web), the P.R. and communication activities as well as
the roles and duties of the press offices.

TEACHING METHODS

Classroom taught lessons with face-to-face discussions/debates.
Direct contribution/participation by journalists and other representatives from communication/information
industry.
Written exercises. Attendance to events/press conferences.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The news: what is a news, what “makes” a news/the 5 Ws/ intuition and technique / criteria to select the
news / facts, factoids and pseudo-events / sources of information / communication and press agencies /
the disintermediation

How to write an article: different languages of the media: language and style / how to write a news article /
techniques to attract the reader / inverted pyramid and lead / the structure of an investigation, of an article
and of a news report, practical examples / how to carry out an interview / satire

Practical exercises: throughout the course, the students shall write 5/6 articles/essays by using journalistic
language and which will be evaluated during the classes hours: at least 2 news articles, 1 or 2
investigations, 1 news report, 1 press release and 1 outline to organize a press conference/ communication
principles and guidelines for private companies and for a private communication companies

The writing for newspapers, for the web, the setting up of a TV report. TV and radio information/ How to
spread the news among the different platforms/ the journalist and the social networks/ New journalisms
and innovation: the future of the news and the role of the intermediary (the journalist) / the duty to check
and verify / the journalist credibility and trust

The relationship with the sources of information, the balance between scoop and journalistic ethics/ the
disintermediation / news from a publishing company/ the life in a newsroom/ how to organize a press /
media event / attending a press conference-event.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Joseph Pulitzer, "Sul Giornalismo", Bollati Boringhieri , 2009
Virginia Di Marco, "Lezioni di giornalismo", Mursia 2015

FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THE CLASSES
One additional book to be chosen among the following
 Mario  Bottaro, Metamorfosi della realtà, Ecig, 2016
Giovanni Del Giaccio "Sangue sporco. Trasfusioni, errori e malasanità", Giubilei e Regnani, 2015

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PABLO CALZERONI (President)

GUIDO LEVI

GIOVANNI DEL GIACCIO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will be held during the second semester. Lessons will start on Thursday 15 th February from 5 to 7
p.m. Lessons will take place every Thursdays (2 to 4 pm) and Friday (8 to 10 am)
Classes calendar: 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd and 29th February
1st, 7th, 8th, 21st and 22nd March
4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19 April 
2nd and 3rd May

Class schedule

THE LANGUAGE OF JOURNALISM – MODULE A

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral with written exercises during the semester

Written exam for students attending less than 60% of the classes.

Exam schedule