Global Information Processes

The concept of globalization has been traditionally the object of academic and political controversies, that have been exacerbated by the development of the past decade (2007-2008 Great Recession, emergence of populism, etc.). The current Covid-19 pandemic is a new dimension of globalisation that will also be discussed during the course, especially when analysing the interaction between science and policy-making. Rhetorics, myths, and biases surround today the concept of globalization especially on issues such as the future of work, robotisation, immigration, free-trade and protectionism, fake news and populism. In this context the course aims to treat, not only the key topics falling under the globalization label, but also to critically analyse the main rhetorics, myths, prejudices, and biases surrounding the debate on globalisation, confronting them with robust and valid scientific and empirical evidence. Hence, the objective of the first part of the course is providing students with epistemological and methodological foundations, as well as the understanding of rhetorical discourse and of the heuristic and of the cognitive and emotional biases that limit individuals' rationality and contribute to generate prejudices and distorted views. The objective of the second part of the course is that of applying the lenses provided in the first part to selected controversial issues that are central in the debate on globalisation. In this year editions a module has been added to discuss Covid-19 as a typical example in the relation between science and politics.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcome is two-fold, that is after the course students should be able:
· To critically read and appraise the results of empirical research, available statistics, and the information spread by broadly defined media (both off and online);
· To select a topic, gather and appraise different sources, to develop their own critical analysis to be presented in class and that can eventually become the topic of their graduation thesis.
Topics
1. Introduction and general framework.
2. Epistemological aspects and validity of empirical evidence.
3. Statistics and measurement.
4. The cognitive revolution: brain, emotion, and rationality.
5. Rhetorics as forms of communication and conflict.
6. Science and public policies.
7. Case study 1: globalisation.
8. Case study 2: The future of work.
9. Case study 3: Post-truth, populism, and globalisation.
10. Case study 4: Covid-19.