The course aims to provide a historical knowledge of the birth and evolution of the radio-television communication system, considered in close connection with the economic, social and cultural transformations of the modern age. In this context, attention will be paid to the Italian case by inserting it into the broader European and North American framework.
The teaching is consistent with the objectives of the degree course, which aims to provide a critical knowledge of the interaction between communication processes and cultural, social and political phenomena, which characterize contemporary society, to be understood also from a historical perspective.
The course intends to lead the participants to the acquisition of knowledge necessary to analyze the interaction between the development of the radio-television system and the socio-cultural transformations of modern society, in different national contexts and on the global scenario. Students will thus be able to acquire the necessary skills to decode the radio and television language and to place the history of individual mediums within the more general one of the media system.
The teaching is consistent with the objectives of the degree course, which aims to provide a critical knowledge of the interaction between communication processes and cultural, social and political phenomena, which characterize contemporary society, to be understood also from a historical perspective.
The course intends to lead the participants to the acquisition of knowledge necessary to analyze the interaction between the development of the radio-television system and the socio-cultural transformations of modern society, in different national contexts and on the global scenario. Students will thus be able to acquire the necessary skills to decode the radio and television language and to place the history of individual mediums within the more general one of the media system.
teacher profile teaching materials
The course will propose a history of radio and television media in which an internal dimension (relating to technologies, broadcasting, programmes, languages, etc.) will be integrated with an external one (relating to the relationship between the mass media and the politics, economy, culture and societies of the Italian context).
Main topics addressed during the course:
1) Beginnings of radio in Italy in relation to other experiences at an international level.
2) Relationship between radio and the fascist regime.
3) Radio diffusion and listening in Italian society (1920s-1940s)
4) Radio's role in World War II.
5) From EIAR to RAI. Radio in post-war Italy.
6) The advent of television in Italy. Corporate, social, political, cultural aspects.
7) The RAI of Ettore Bernabei (1961-1974).
8) The free radios.
9) From RAI monopoly to duopoly.
10) TV and radio in 1980s Italy.
11) The political-media consolidation of Berlusconi's system.
12) From analogue to digital.
13) Internet, TV and radio.
- Andrea Sangiovanni, Radiodays. La radio in Italia da Marconi al web, Bologna, il Mulino, 2024 (pp. 1-224, the whole volume)
- Irene Piazzoni, Storia delle televisioni in Italia. Dagli esordi alle web tv, Roma, Carocci, 2014 (pp. 1-320, the whole volume).
Programme
The course will analyse the history of radio and television during the 20th century, with particular reference to the Italian context.The course will propose a history of radio and television media in which an internal dimension (relating to technologies, broadcasting, programmes, languages, etc.) will be integrated with an external one (relating to the relationship between the mass media and the politics, economy, culture and societies of the Italian context).
Main topics addressed during the course:
1) Beginnings of radio in Italy in relation to other experiences at an international level.
2) Relationship between radio and the fascist regime.
3) Radio diffusion and listening in Italian society (1920s-1940s)
4) Radio's role in World War II.
5) From EIAR to RAI. Radio in post-war Italy.
6) The advent of television in Italy. Corporate, social, political, cultural aspects.
7) The RAI of Ettore Bernabei (1961-1974).
8) The free radios.
9) From RAI monopoly to duopoly.
10) TV and radio in 1980s Italy.
11) The political-media consolidation of Berlusconi's system.
12) From analogue to digital.
13) Internet, TV and radio.
Core Documentation
The course syllabus consists of the two following textbooks:- Andrea Sangiovanni, Radiodays. La radio in Italia da Marconi al web, Bologna, il Mulino, 2024 (pp. 1-224, the whole volume)
- Irene Piazzoni, Storia delle televisioni in Italia. Dagli esordi alle web tv, Roma, Carocci, 2014 (pp. 1-320, the whole volume).
Attendance
Attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
The assessment in the examination will take into account the students' level of preparation with regard to the topics covered in the lectures and in the texts of the course programme. Demonstrating in-depth study of the programme texts will be decisive for assessment in the written examination. Preparation based on summaries/notes and other materials other than book study is strongly discouraged.