Laboratory: Art, Culture and Organized Crime
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The focus of this course is to analyze the relationship between art, culture and organized crime from three different perspectives. The first is how criminal organizations are narrated in books, films, music, TV series, photography and commercials. Then the course offers an analysis of narrative and stylistic choices and how these have changed since the '80s and also their influence on criminal sense-making. The second perspective the course is going to analyze is the mafias' self-narration through folklore and stereotypes in music and social networks in order to obtain social consensus. Lastly, the course discusses how art and culture could become an important instrument in fighting against organized crime; analyzing in particular innovative techniques such as participative theatre.
Expected learning outcomes
- Knowledge of the principal definitions of "organized crime";
- Ability to analyze constitutive elements of criminal sense-making;
- Critical analysis of audio-video material;
- Ability to identify symbolic and strategic importance of storytelling and its instruments;
- Knowledge of cultural instruments in the fight against organized crime
- Ability to analyze constitutive elements of criminal sense-making;
- Critical analysis of audio-video material;
- Ability to identify symbolic and strategic importance of storytelling and its instruments;
- Knowledge of cultural instruments in the fight against organized crime
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second trimester
The course is held via videoconference using MS Teams. The teacher is available via email and possibly by videoconference for reception or clarification. A mailing list will be created, with the consent of the participants, for quick updates on materials or variations of lessons.
Course syllabus
The course is divided in three parts. At the beginning we are going to study how the mafias have been narrated by cinema, photography, TV series, literature, music and theatre. Then, how the mafias have used those narratives and at last, how the art could be an important instrument against organized crime.
Teaching methods
Lessons and debates
Teaching Resources
The teacher will provide papers and other materials.
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of the course, students will have to write a short paper analyzing a case study; the paper will be discussed during the exam. Attending at least the 80% of the lessons is required.
Professor(s)