Social History of the Spectacle

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
M-STO/04
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course consists of three modules of 20 hours each (A-B-C). The first and second are the latest developments in the phenomenon of consumption in relation to today's entertainment society (consumer history, cultural history of food, spectacularization of society, video games); In the third, we will address the growth of entertainment and the transformation of the mass media. The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and methodologies that can help them understand central aspects of modern culture.
Expected learning outcomes
The course consists of three modules of 20 hours each (A-B-C). The first and second are the latest developments in the phenomenon of consumption in relation to today's entertainment society (consumer history, cultural history of food, spectacularization of society, video games); In the third, we will address the growth of entertainment and the transformation of the mass media. The aim is to provide students with the knowledge and methodologies that can help them understand central aspects of modern culture.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The Society of the Spectacle: Food, Consumption, Video games

The course is divided into three modules of 20 hours each (A-B-C). The first part deals with the latest developments related to consumption in relation to today's entertainment society (history of consumption, cultural history of food, spectacularisation of society); the second part deals with the aspect of the growth of entertainment, the transformation of the mass media, and the video game industry.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites requested.
Teaching methods
Lessons are supported by slides and electronic materials. Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS:

1) EXAM for 6 credits for attending students:
A) Frequency and study of the topics and materials covered in the course.
B) Preparation of one text from the following list:
LIST 1
· F. Benhamou, L'economia della cultura, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2020;·
· J. Bourdon, Introduzione ai media, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2001 [to reprint];
· A. Briggs, P. Burke, Storia sociale dei media. Da Gutenberg a Internet, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010, pp. 181-397 (or other
editions from the chapter on radio to the end of the book);
· J.N. Jeanneney, Storia dei media, Roma, Editori Riuniti, 2003, pp. 113-350.

2) EXAM for 9 credits per attending students
A) Frequency and study of the topics and materials covered in the course.
B) Preparation of one text from the following list:
LIST 1
· F. Benhamou, L'economia della cultura, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2020;·
· J. Bourdon, Introduzione ai media, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2001 [to reprint];
· A. Briggs, P. Burke, Storia sociale dei media. Da Gutenberg a Internet, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010, pp. 181-397 (or other
editions from the chapter on radio to the end of the book);
· J.N. Jeanneney, Storia dei media, Roma, Editori Riuniti, 2003, pp. 113-350.
C) In addition, preparation of one text from the following list:
LIST 2
· E. Scarpellini, A tavola! Gli italiani in sette pranzi, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2014 (also ebook);
· G. King, La Nuova Hollywood. Dalla rinascita degli anni Sessanta all'era del blockbuster, Torino, Einaudi, 2004;
· E. Corvi, Nuovo cinema Web. Netflix, Hulu, Amazon: la rivoluzione va in scena, Milano, Hoepli 2016, together with U.
Eco, Sulla televisione, Milano, La Nave di Teseo, only pp. 11-16, 43-96, 313-367.
· F. Fabbri, Around the clock. Una breve storia della popular music, Torino, Utet, 2016;
· J. Newman, Videogames, New York-Oxford, Routledge, 2013 [in English] together with E. Scarpellini, Digital History. Gli storici e l'emergere dei videogames come nuovo paradigma culturale e di consumo, in "Memoria e Ricerca", no. 1, 2021, pp. 7-32 (download from Unimi library); ;
· G. Ritzer, La religione dei consumi. Cattedrali, pellegrinaggi e riti dell'iperconsumismo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2012;
· G. Debord, La società dello spettacolo, Milano, Dalai, 2014 (o other editions with the "Commentari").


NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Non-attending students will bring one of the following programs:

3) EXAM for 6 credits for non-attending students
A) a text of choice from LIST 1.
B) E. Scarpellini, A tavola! Gli italiani in sette pranzi, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2014 or a text of choice from LIST 2.

4) EXAM for 9 credits for non-attending students
A) a text of choice from LIST 1.
B) E. Scarpellini, A tavola! Gli italiani in sette pranzi, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2014 or a text of choice from LIST 2.
C) E. Scarpellini, L'Italia dei consumi. Dalla Belle Époque al nuovo millennio, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2021 (also ebook).


INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:

5) EXAM for International students
International students can use the programs in Italian or the following program, including an oral examination also in English:
A) E. Scarpellini, Material Nation: A Consumer's History of Modern Italy, Oxford University Press 2011 (also ebook).
B) one book from the following list:
· A. Briggs , P. Burke, Social History of the Media: From Gutenberg to the Internet, Polity 2010;
· G. King, New Hollywood Cinema, Columbia University Press 2002 (also ebook);
· G. Ritzer, Enchanting a Disenchanted World: Continuity and Change in the Cathedrals of Consumption, Sage 2010
(also ebook);
· J. Newmann, Videogames, Routledge 2013 (also ebook);
· G. Debord, Society of the spectacle (any edition) together with Comments on the Society of the Spectacle (any
edition) (also ebook);
· E. Scarpellini, Food and Foodways in Italy from 1861 to the Present, Palgrave Macmillan 2015 (also ebook).
C) H.E. Lowood, Invention, Computerization, Simulation. Three episodes in the History of Wargames, in "Memoria e Ricerca", no. 1, 2021, pp. 53-74 (download from Unimi library).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral examination on the topics included in the program, aimed at ascertaining the acquired skills. For attending students only, a written test is scheduled before the final oral exam. The vote is expressed in 30th.
Incoming Erasmus students will have the opportunity, on request, to take the exam in English, according to the indicated program.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours