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.
For the 9-credits course, specific in-depth projects on various topics included in the syllabus (see below) are developed, also agreed with the students, and also using active, interactive, constructive teaching methods.

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 intends 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 - using suitable active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies - to develop, at a basic level, the learning ability (ability to "learn to learn", i.e. learning strategies, organization and assessment of personal learning) and project creativity skills (ability to develop one's imagination and creativity, critical reflection, strategic thinking).

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 is welcome, and will be outlined and summarised in the first part of the course.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and seminars by external guests, with the use of Aulaweb and the most suitable audiovisual aids.

In-depth insights: active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies, namely Cooperative Learning (Debate, Think-Pair-Share), and team- and/or project- work.

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)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

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

Class schedule

ECONOMICS OF CULTURAL INDUSTRIES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exams are based on written tests carried out in the classroom with the support of Aulaweb and on oral interviews. Details are provided on Aulaweb and in the classroom.

On a voluntary basis, students - individually or in small groups - can agree on insights through workshops and laboratories - conducted with active, interactive and constructive teaching methodologies (cooperative learning, group or project teaching) - on topics that combine concepts and problems addressed in the course with specific topics also linked current affairs, giving rise to short essays or presentations at the end of the work.

The detailed structure of the exams, also based on the students' options, will be communicated at the beginning of the course on Aulaweb.

Registration for exam sessions on the unige.it platform is 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. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs (BES) are advised to contact both prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it) and 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.