The course provides specific knowledge on the theories, procedures and current challenges of democracy, with a particular focus on the evolution of the concept of political representation and the impact of new digital technologies on citizen participation. The skills acquired are aimed at stimulating students’ awareness and critical sense in the face of one of the most controversial issues of contemporary political debate: “direct democracy”.
teacher profile teaching materials
L. Ceccarini, La cittadinanza online, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015.
Programme
The course is divided into two parts. The first part analyzes democratic theories, elections, the referendum institution and the role of the mass media in the democratic process. The second part focuses on the dynamics of the models of “deliberative democracy” and “e-democracy”, and explains how new forms of political participation through the web are being reconfigured in the global world.Core Documentation
G. Pasquino (a cura di), Strumenti della democrazia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007.L. Ceccarini, La cittadinanza online, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015.
Reference Bibliography
For further details see: M. Panarari, Poteri e informazione. Teorie della comunicazione e storia della manipolazione politica in Italia (1850-1930), Firenze, Le Monnier, 2017. E. De Blasio, E-democracy, Milano, Mondadori, 2019.Type of delivery of the course
The course is essentially based on lectures but student participation in the discussion is encouraged.Attendance
Attendance is not compulsory. Paper presentation is reserved for attending students.Type of evaluation
Written and oral examination. The written examination consists of a paper on a specific topic agreed with the teacher, which will be discussed in the classroom and is reserved for attending students. During the COVID-19 emergency period, the examination will be carried out in accordance with current regulations.