Languages of the Media
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course focuses on the study of media discourse and languages from a critical perspective. The course aims to provide students with the main conceptual tools for the analysis and critical understanding of the most popular forms of mediated communication, focusing its attention in particular on their role in the processes of public opinion formation. The course highlights the specificities of different forms of communication and media language through a series of case studies and examples discussed in class.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to critically understand and interpret the most common media languages, with a particular focus on those employed in public opinion mediation. They will be able to contextualize media messages and their meaning in relation to their social, cultural and historical context. Since the course is delivered in English, it constitutes an important opportunity for students to improve their knowledge and understanding of the English language, with particular regard to the specific terminology of the media industry.
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
(1) To teach students to "read" industrially produced media texts that serve the purposes of rhetorical persuasion or ideological justification for particular media, social, or technological practices
(2) To familiarize students with the work of Raymond Williams, particularly his classic Keywords
(3) To help students become more confident in calling bullshit on bad ideas.
(4) To familiarize students with the language of the corporate boardroom of a media or communications company, especially as it is written in English.
(2) To familiarize students with the work of Raymond Williams, particularly his classic Keywords
(3) To help students become more confident in calling bullshit on bad ideas.
(4) To familiarize students with the language of the corporate boardroom of a media or communications company, especially as it is written in English.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic listening, reading and speaking skills in English.
Teaching methods
Lectures + group work in class
Teaching Resources
"Future Shock: Manifestos in the Digital Age." Julian Hanna [2019]
"Histories of Technology Culture Manifestos: Their Function in Shaping Technology Cultures and Practices," by Ellen K. Foster. Digital Culture and Society 6(1): 57-83 [2010]
"Social Media and Bullshit." (2015) By Rasmus Kleis Nielsen. Social Media + Society. First Published May 11, 2015
Keywords, by Raymond Williams. Oxford, UK; Oxford University Press [1976]
On Bullshit. Princeton, by Harry Frankfurt. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. [2005]
"The New Spirit of Capitalism," by Luc Boltanski & Eve Chiapello. International Journal of Political and Cultural Sociology. 18(1): 161-188 [2005]
"Reviewed Work(s): From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism by Fred Turner." Review by: Stephen R. Barley Administrative Science Quarterly 52 (3): 486-488
Handbook of Manifestos [pdf]:
"A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace," John P. Barlow.
The Scum Manifesto, Valerie Solanas.
"The Futurist Manifesto," Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
"Port Huron Statement of the Students for a Democratic Society," Students for a Democratic Society
"Bauhaus Manifesto and Program," Walter Gropius.
"The Airbnb Manifesto," Airbnb
The Cluetrain Manifesto," David Weinberger
"A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist- Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," Donna Haraway
"The Mark Manifesto," Mark Zuckerberg
"Histories of Technology Culture Manifestos: Their Function in Shaping Technology Cultures and Practices," by Ellen K. Foster. Digital Culture and Society 6(1): 57-83 [2010]
"Social Media and Bullshit." (2015) By Rasmus Kleis Nielsen. Social Media + Society. First Published May 11, 2015
Keywords, by Raymond Williams. Oxford, UK; Oxford University Press [1976]
On Bullshit. Princeton, by Harry Frankfurt. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. [2005]
"The New Spirit of Capitalism," by Luc Boltanski & Eve Chiapello. International Journal of Political and Cultural Sociology. 18(1): 161-188 [2005]
"Reviewed Work(s): From Counterculture to Cyberculture: Stewart Brand, the Whole Earth Network, and the Rise of Digital Utopianism by Fred Turner." Review by: Stephen R. Barley Administrative Science Quarterly 52 (3): 486-488
Handbook of Manifestos [pdf]:
"A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace," John P. Barlow.
The Scum Manifesto, Valerie Solanas.
"The Futurist Manifesto," Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
"Port Huron Statement of the Students for a Democratic Society," Students for a Democratic Society
"Bauhaus Manifesto and Program," Walter Gropius.
"The Airbnb Manifesto," Airbnb
The Cluetrain Manifesto," David Weinberger
"A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist- Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," Donna Haraway
"The Mark Manifesto," Mark Zuckerberg
Assessment methods and Criteria
Grades and Exams: ATTENDING
Your grade will be based on 2 components:
(1) A manifesto of your own, written either a small group (if attending in presence) or on your own (if attending virtually, non-attending, or choosing this option in presence).
o 500 words
o No references needed.
o Due at least one week prior to the written exam.
(2) An in person written exam (multiple choice / true false / short answer)
Grades and Exams: NON ATTENDING
Your grade will be based on 2 components:
(1) An essay of 1500 words answering the following question:
o "Why has the manifesto- once understood as a radical document designed to promote progressive political change—been embraced by capitalist organizations and ideology, particularly by the tech industry? Answer the question by citing at least five of the class readings that are not manifestos."
o Due at least one week prior to the written exam.
(2) An in person written exam (multiple choice / true false / short answer).
Your grade will be based on 2 components:
(1) A manifesto of your own, written either a small group (if attending in presence) or on your own (if attending virtually, non-attending, or choosing this option in presence).
o 500 words
o No references needed.
o Due at least one week prior to the written exam.
(2) An in person written exam (multiple choice / true false / short answer)
Grades and Exams: NON ATTENDING
Your grade will be based on 2 components:
(1) An essay of 1500 words answering the following question:
o "Why has the manifesto- once understood as a radical document designed to promote progressive political change—been embraced by capitalist organizations and ideology, particularly by the tech industry? Answer the question by citing at least five of the class readings that are not manifestos."
o Due at least one week prior to the written exam.
(2) An in person written exam (multiple choice / true false / short answer).
L-LIN/11 - ANGLO - AMERICAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Anderson Christopher
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Anderson ChristopherProfessor(s)