Laboratory: Art, Culture and Organized Crime
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
Studying the representation of mafias through the media means understanding the categories and the process of constructing the social image of the mafia. This is a central issue in the analysis of these criminal phenomena, which have proven to be able to strengthen themselves with the imagery produced by the media, which in turn feed on criminal stories, in a sort of vicious circle.
The teaching aims to explore the relationship between art, culture and organized crime, providing students with the methodological and theoretical tools useful for reading representations of the mafias, particularly in the Italian context, through literature, cinema, theater, music and photography.
The teaching aims to explore the relationship between art, culture and organized crime, providing students with the methodological and theoretical tools useful for reading representations of the mafias, particularly in the Italian context, through literature, cinema, theater, music and photography.
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
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.
In order to maintain the workshop nature of the activity, the course is open to a maximum of 25 students. Registration is by e-mail starting Oct. 15 and will be done in order of enrollment.
In order to maintain the workshop nature of the activity, the course is open to a maximum of 25 students. Registration is by e-mail starting Oct. 15 and will be done in order of enrollment.
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.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)