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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "CMS 317"
COURSE NAME: "Television and Democracy in Italy"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Allotti Pierluigi
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 13:00-14:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 45
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: COM 220
OFFICE HOURS: TBA
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the complex relationship between television and politics in Italy, from the starting of broadcasting, in 1954, to nowadays. The main goal is to understand the role played by this central and pervasive mass medium in the development of the Italian democracy, from the postwar years to the so-called “Seconda Repubblica”.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is divided into three parts: in the first part it examines the evolution of the Italian media system from the emergence of the press as a mass medium, in the late 19th Century, to the advent of the “Television Age” after World War II, comparing the Italian case with those of other countries (such as United States and Great Britain) to better underline its own specific characteristics. In the second part it analyzes the relationship between television and politics in the years of  public monopoly (1954-1975), while in the third part it focuses on the development of private channels and on the rise of Silvio Berlusconi as a media tycoon and political leader. Furthermore, the course explores the role played by television, as a cultural industry, in the shaping of Italian society and in the “Americanization” of Italian mass culture.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course provides students with an updated and solid understanding of a plurality of topics pertaining the relationship between television and the political system in Italy, including the following:

 

  • historical overview of the role of television in Italian democracy;
  • role of television in the transformations of political communications;
  • effects of broadcasting liberalization on the political system;
  • political and cultural implication’s of Berlusconi’s political career;
  • role of entertainment programs in channeling political contents;
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Media and Society into the 21st CenturyL. Gorman, D. McLeanWiley-Blackwell978-1-4051-4935-8     
The Media in Italy: Press, Cinema and Broadcasting from Unification to DigitalM. Hibberd Open University Press UK9780335222858     
Silvio Berlusconi. Television, Power and PatrimonyP. GinsborgVerso9781844675418     
A Fatal Attraction. Public Television and Politics in ItalyC. PadovaniRowman & Littlefield9780742519503     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm exam<p style="margin: 0cm 2.25pt 0pt 1cm;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The midterm will be an in-class test based on a combination of short and long questions covering the material from the first part of the semester.<br> </br><br> </br></b></span></p>35
Final exam<p style="margin: 0cm 2.25pt 0pt 1cm;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;">The final will be an in-class test based on a combination of short and long questions covering the material from the first and the second part of the semester.</span></p>35
Classroom presentations<p style="margin: 0cm 2.25pt 0pt 1cm;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout the course, each student will need to do a 15-minute presentation in front of the class of a short essay based on comments and questions regarding the texts assigned. Students&rsquo; essays will be have to address the topics covered during the class discussion, and will be collected for my record at the end of the class. A calendar of presentations will be set up by the second week of classes.</span></p>15
Attendance and Participation 15

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
 

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C, D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance is mandatory. I will take attendance each class. Students are allowed a maximum of 2 excused leaves (except for religious holidays), for which they will need to provide valid justification. Any subsequent absence will affect the final grade.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Tentative list of topics covered. Dates to be defined:

 

1. Class Presentation (introduction to the course)

2. The Press as a Mass Medium (Gorman and McLean, chapter 2; Hibberd, chapter 2)

3. Movie Screening: Citizen Kane (1941) by Orson Welle

4. The Development of Film Industry and The Growth of Radio Broadcasting (Gorman and McLean, chapters 3 and 4; Hibberd, chapter  2)

5 Mass Media and Propaganda under Totalitarian Regimes (Gorman and McLean, chapter 6)

6 The Media in Fascist Italy (Hibberd, chapter 3)

7. The Media in Fascist Italy (Hibberd, chapter 3)

8. Democracy in Italy (1945-2003) (Padovani, chapter 1)

9. The Italian Political System (with Prof. Pavoncello)

10.  The First Italian Republic: Cinema and the Press in the Postwar Years (Gorman and McLean chapter 7, Hibberd, chapter 4)

11.  The First Italian Republic: Broadcasting and “Mamma Rai” (Gorman and McLean chapter 8, Hibberd, chapter 5)

12.  Movie Screening: Network (1976) by Sidney Lumet

Mid-term examination

13.  Television and Politics in the years of public monopoly (Padovani, chapter 2)

14.  Television and Journalism in Italy (with Lorenzo Ottolenghi) (Padovani, chapter 4)

15.  Television and Mass Culture in the 1960s and in the 1970s

16.  Broadcasting and the Wild West Years (Padovani, chapter 3; Hibberd chapter 6)

17.  Television and Mass Culture in the 1980s and in the 1990s

18.  The Political Rise of Silvio Berlusconi (Padovani, chapter 3; Hibberd, chapter 7)

19.  The Political Rise of Silvio Berlusconi (Hibberd, chapter 8; Ginsborg, chapter 1) (Classroom presentation)

20.  The Political Rise of Silvio Berlusconi (Ginsborg, chapter 2-3) (Classroom presentation)

21.  The Political Rise of Silvio Berlusconi (Ginsborg, chapter 4-5) (Classroom presentation)

22.  The Political Rise of Silvio Berlusconi (Ginsborg, chapter 6-7) (Classroom presentation)

23.  Television and Mass Culture in the 2000s

24.  Visit to the Rai TV Archive

Final examination