Journalism, Media and Politics
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course provides an analysis of the different actors and forms of interactions whitin the journalistic and political communication field. Journalism studies is an interdisciplinary field that involves an increasing number of actors (media practitioners and professionals, politicians and parties, and citizens, but also global media companiens, social media platforms, algorithms, bot and so forth) who interact in a increasing number of mediated ways. The aim of the course is to develop the critical and analytical capacities of the student in interpreting the role of such actors in shaping the political information environment.
This course has three objectives:
1. to offer a complete illustration of the several issues in the field of interactions between journalism, citizneship and politics (among other polarization, media trust, political knowledge, agenda setting, misinformation, fake news);
2. to explore domains of common interest with the professional world of media production (fact-checking, investigative journalism, data-journalism), applied political communication (advertising, electoral marketing, media management, spin doctoring, and the like) and citizens activism (alternative and citizen journalism);
3. to stimulate active participation with debates, papers, presentations and invitation of scholars
This course has three objectives:
1. to offer a complete illustration of the several issues in the field of interactions between journalism, citizneship and politics (among other polarization, media trust, political knowledge, agenda setting, misinformation, fake news);
2. to explore domains of common interest with the professional world of media production (fact-checking, investigative journalism, data-journalism), applied political communication (advertising, electoral marketing, media management, spin doctoring, and the like) and citizens activism (alternative and citizen journalism);
3. to stimulate active participation with debates, papers, presentations and invitation of scholars
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should have developed knowledge and understanding of the communicative dynamics within the political information environment. Applying knowledge and understanding, with an autonomous and critical evaluation of the characteristics of mediated communication in the political communication field. Knowledge of the preliminary practical skills necessary to enter the field (such as how to build a fact-checking or data-journalism project). Autonomy of judgement, and students' communicative capabilities will be developed by discussions and working papers. The final exam aims to verify the expected learning outcomes in respect to the students' capacity of understanding, applying knowledge, developing a critical analysis of the theoretical perspectives introduced by the course.
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
Journalism, Media and Democracy
Media and Politics
Media Repertoire and Politics
Social media and democracy
Journalism cultures
Journalism Autonomy
Journalism Influence
Journalists' roles
Journalists' epistemology
Journalism sources
Boundary work and journalism
Neo institutional Approach: discourse of journalism
Media Trust
News avoidance
Incidental exposure
Media selectivity
Disinformation, Misinformation, Fake News
Fact Checking
Infodemia
Polarization
Incivility and hate speech
Filter Bubble, echo chambers, algorithm
Media and Politics
Media Repertoire and Politics
Social media and democracy
Journalism cultures
Journalism Autonomy
Journalism Influence
Journalists' roles
Journalists' epistemology
Journalism sources
Boundary work and journalism
Neo institutional Approach: discourse of journalism
Media Trust
News avoidance
Incidental exposure
Media selectivity
Disinformation, Misinformation, Fake News
Fact Checking
Infodemia
Polarization
Incivility and hate speech
Filter Bubble, echo chambers, algorithm
Prerequisites for admission
To take this exam some knowledge of media sociology, media economics and some foundation of political science are essential
Decisive an interest in the world of media, journalism and global affairs!
Decisive an interest in the world of media, journalism and global affairs!
Teaching methods
The course is based on classic lectures and seminar moments and classroom discussion. In general, the active participation of students will be solicited
Teaching Resources
Attending students
Articles, chapters and reports will be provided during lectures and will be available on ARIEL
Non-attending students
Bro, P. (2019). Gatekeeping Theory. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0022
Broersma, M. (2019). Audience Engagement. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0060
Calderón, C. A. (2019). Aggregation and News Portals. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0118
Carlson, M. (2018). Boundary Work. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0035
Caswell, D., & Anderson, C. W. (2019). Computational Journalism. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-8). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0046
Dalen, A. van. (2019). Autonomy: Independence from Government. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-7). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0080
Mills, A., & Sarikakis, K. (2019). Autonomy: Independence from Market Forces. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0079
Quandt, T., Frischlich, L., Boberg, S., & Schatto‐Eckrodt, T. (2019). Fake News. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0128
Shepard, J. M. (2019). Anonymous Sources and Source Confidentiality. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0258
Tandoc, E. C., & Maitra, J. (2019). Audience Measurement. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0047
Reese, S. D. (2019). Hierarchy of Influences. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0023
Ryfe, D. (2019). Institutional Theory and Journalism. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0037
Hanitzsch, T. (2019). Journalistic Roles. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0029
Kohring, M. (2019). Public Trust in News Media. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0056
Nielsen, R. K., & Ganter, S. A. (2022). The power of platforms: Shaping media and society. Oxford University Press.
Castro, L., Strömbäck, J., Esser, F., Van Aelst, P., de Vreese, C., Aalberg, T., Cardenal, A. S., Corbu, N., Hopmann, D. N., Koc-Michalska, K., Matthes, J., Schemer, C., Sheafer, T., Splendore, S., Stanyer, J., Stępińska, A., Štětka, V., & Theocharis, Y. (2021). Navigating High-choice European Political Information Environments: A Comparative Analysis of News User Profiles and Political Knowledge. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 194016122110125. https://doi.org/10.1177/19401612211012572
Splendore, S., & Brambilla, M. (2021). The Hybrid Journalism That We Do Not Recognize (Anymore). Journalism and Media, 2(1), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia2010004
Hanitzsch, T., & Vos, T. P. (2017). Journalistic Roles and the Struggle Over Institutional Identity: The Discursive Constitution of Journalism: Journalistic Roles and Institutional Identity. Communication Theory, 27(2), 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/comt.12112
(all is available via unimi digital library)
Articles, chapters and reports will be provided during lectures and will be available on ARIEL
Non-attending students
Bro, P. (2019). Gatekeeping Theory. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0022
Broersma, M. (2019). Audience Engagement. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0060
Calderón, C. A. (2019). Aggregation and News Portals. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0118
Carlson, M. (2018). Boundary Work. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0035
Caswell, D., & Anderson, C. W. (2019). Computational Journalism. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-8). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0046
Dalen, A. van. (2019). Autonomy: Independence from Government. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-7). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0080
Mills, A., & Sarikakis, K. (2019). Autonomy: Independence from Market Forces. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0079
Quandt, T., Frischlich, L., Boberg, S., & Schatto‐Eckrodt, T. (2019). Fake News. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0128
Shepard, J. M. (2019). Anonymous Sources and Source Confidentiality. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0258
Tandoc, E. C., & Maitra, J. (2019). Audience Measurement. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0047
Reese, S. D. (2019). Hierarchy of Influences. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0023
Ryfe, D. (2019). Institutional Theory and Journalism. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-5). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0037
Hanitzsch, T. (2019). Journalistic Roles. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-9). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0029
Kohring, M. (2019). Public Trust in News Media. In The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies (pagg. 1-6). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0056
Nielsen, R. K., & Ganter, S. A. (2022). The power of platforms: Shaping media and society. Oxford University Press.
Castro, L., Strömbäck, J., Esser, F., Van Aelst, P., de Vreese, C., Aalberg, T., Cardenal, A. S., Corbu, N., Hopmann, D. N., Koc-Michalska, K., Matthes, J., Schemer, C., Sheafer, T., Splendore, S., Stanyer, J., Stępińska, A., Štětka, V., & Theocharis, Y. (2021). Navigating High-choice European Political Information Environments: A Comparative Analysis of News User Profiles and Political Knowledge. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 194016122110125. https://doi.org/10.1177/19401612211012572
Splendore, S., & Brambilla, M. (2021). The Hybrid Journalism That We Do Not Recognize (Anymore). Journalism and Media, 2(1), 51-61. https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia2010004
Hanitzsch, T., & Vos, T. P. (2017). Journalistic Roles and the Struggle Over Institutional Identity: The Discursive Constitution of Journalism: Journalistic Roles and Institutional Identity. Communication Theory, 27(2), 115-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/comt.12112
(all is available via unimi digital library)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Attending students need to pass an intermediate test during the course in the manner specified in class (an essay or a presentation in class). Then a final oral exam.
For non-attending students the assessment of knowledge will be carried out through a oral exam. The oral exam includes a fair number of questions covering all the program.
For non-attending students the assessment of knowledge will be carried out through a oral exam. The oral exam includes a fair number of questions covering all the program.
SPS/08 - SOCIOLOGY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Anderson Christopher, Splendore Sergio
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)