INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISM

Course objectives

The aim of the course is to provide students with the appropriate tools to learn about the fundamental processes of newsmaking in the field of international journalism in a comparative perspective and of international political communication in contemporary reality. Knowledge and understanding: first objective of the course is to strengthen the knowledge and skills related to international journalism and political communication acquired during the three-year degree, with specific reference to the dynamics in the international environment and to the media diplomacy and to the dimension of the sacred in the journalistic field. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: the course's second objective is to transmit the practical skills to set up and carry out surveys that extend to the contexts of international journalism and of international political communication in order to monitor and understand the dynamics of newsmaking in a comparative perspective referring to different political and social contexts, of spin doctoring and the construction of strategic narratives by of the states Autonomy of judgment: Another specific objective of the course is the ability to analyze and reflect independently on the contents of the texts and on the topics discussed in class to be submitted to the common reflection of the class. Communication skills: Alongside all the objectives, the course aims to develop communication skills on the research paths on the journalistic representation of social and political issues of global relevance, on relational and communicative dynamics among state and non-state actors operating in the contemporary international relations system. Learning skills: lectures and practical exercises aim to convey the ability of students to study, deepen and re-elaborate the study materials in an autonomous way. Expected results: It is hoped that the student at the end of the course will be able to independently identify the main online and offline communication and journalistic dynamics present at international level as well as to work in monitoring and collecting data and information on issues that may be newsworthy on an international level, as well as specific spin doctoring campaigns, creation of fake news and public diplomacy.

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GIAMPIERO GRAMAGLIA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
In the 2024/'25 academic year, the aim is to offer - after an outline of the history of the media from its beginnings to the present day and on how news and/or reports are made - an overview of the main characteristics, comparing differences and common elements, of the major Italian/European, American, Asian and African journalisms, with a hint at the oceanic one, analysed in their various characterisations and components, traditional media, including press agencies, radio and TV, new media. The run-up to the US presidential elections will be an excellent training ground for exercises and in-depth studies. Attention will also focus on particularly significant moments and figures in international journalism, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Pentagon Papers, Watergate, the Spotlight case, the Panama Papers - with the development of the Pandora Papers -, the role of Wikileaks, male and female protagonists of the last century. Special attention will be paid to detecting and combating fake news. If there is time and conditions, students will be called upon to compile a sort of weekly press review of international current affairs, using media sources from all over the world, divided into regional areas (EU, North America with Gbr, Cnd, Aus and NZl, Russia and former Soviet republics, China with CND, Far East and South-East Asia, Indian sub-continent, Middle East and the Arab and Islamic world, Africa, Latin America).
Books
Adopted texts and reference bibliography EXAM TEXTS FOR THE MODULE "INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISM" (prof. Gramaglia - 6 cfu 48h) FREQUENT ATTENDANTS 1. Waugh E., Scoop, in any edition, preferably the original version; 2. Polli S., Protettì C., E' l'agenzia, Bellezza, Istimedia; 3. Abramson J., Merchants of Truth, in any edition preferably the original version NON-ATTENDERS 1. Waugh E., Scoop, in any edition preferably in the original version; 2. Polli S., Protettì C., E' l'agenzia, Bellezza, Istimedia; 3. Abramson J., Merchants of Truth, in any edition preferably in the original version 4. Hallin D.C., Mancini P., Models of journalism. Mass media and politics in Western democracies, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2004 or later editions. Recommended Films and TV Series • Newsroom (TV Series, seasons 1-3 2012-2014) • The West Wing (TV Series, season 1, 1999) • The Loudest Voice – Sesso e Potere (TV series, season 1, 2019) • Citizen Kane (1941), written and directed by Orson Welles • Ace in the Hole (1951), directed by Billy Wilder • The Front Page (1974), directed by Billy Wilder • All the President's Men (1976), directed by Alan J. Pakula • Network – Quinto Potere (1976), directed by Sydney Lumet • Good Night and Good Luck (2005), directed by George Clooney • Gellhorn and Hemingway (2012) directed by Philip Kaufman • Spotlight (2015), directed by Tom McCarthy • Truth (2015), directed by Robert Redford • The Post (2017), directed by Steven Spielberg • J'accuse (2019), directed by Roman Polański • Sbatti il mostro in prima pagina (1972), directed by Marco Bellocchio • I cento passi (2000), directed by Marco Tullio Giordana • Fortapasc (2009), directed by Marco Risi
Exam mode
The assessment of the attending students will take into account their assiduity to the lectures and their diligence in carrying out the proposed exercises, as well as reading the suggested texts and watching the proposed films and/or series. Non-attending students will be able to partially fill the gap in the exercises by agreeing a paper with me, as well as referring to the texts and documents listed below.
Lesson mode
During the class, at the beginning of each lesson and/or as an exercise between lessons, students will be asked to compare coverage of the same event by different media, analysing their points of contact and differences and trying to understand the cultural, editorial, economic and geo-political reasons behind differences and/or convergences. Students will become accustomed to handling and comparing, in versions they can understand, media that are heterogeneous in terms of country and type and should, at the end of the course, be and feel better prepared and equipped to deal with propaganda conditioning and/or fake news. The exceptional circumstances we are experiencing, with the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the US elections, or climate change, all universal ‘stories’, will provide an exceptional, although dramatic, backdrop to the course.
  • Lesson code10612053
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseMedia studies, digital communication and journalism
  • CurriculumGiornalismo
  • Year2nd year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDSPS/11
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaDiscipline storico-sociali, giuridico-economiche, politologiche e delle relazioni internazionali