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Theories of communication and Cultural Studies

Semester 1 · 17323 · Bachelor in Communication Sciences and Culture · 12CP · EN · DE


Module 1- Cultural Studies (area caratterizzante)

Introduce students to the basic concepts, major thinkers and schools of thought that have contributed to the development of cultural studies.

Develop students’ acquaintance with techniques of analysis in cultural studies, applying strategies developed by the Birmingham School, semiotics, post-colonial and subaltern studies, feminist and queer theory.

Develop a critical and reflexive approach to analyzing and describing contemporary sociocultural conditions, as manifested in cultural products of various sorts.


Module 2 - Theories of communication (area di base)

Communication is the basis of human coexistence. Successful communication is also an effective tool in every professional field, a key to the career ladder! In a company, smooth communication is a prerequisite for the harmonious co-operation of all those involved and thus for the success of the company.
The different types and ‘theories of communication’ and their correct application should help us to get to know the different aspects of communication, from language to body language and the media, to recognise and avoid mistakes in communication, to communicate correctly, as clearly as possible and free of misunderstandings, which will be of use to us in life, at university and at work.
We will also recognise the importance of the media for society and politics and will see for ourselves how important it is to defend our human rights, freedoms and democracy.
Our specific learning objectives are to sharpen our own communication skills, avoid mistakes and, in a world flooded with information and fake news, become confident, critical citizens who can form their own opinions with confidence and contribute to the defence of human rights, freedoms and democracy.

Lecturers: Oskar Peterlini, Dorothy Louise Zinn, Daniela Salvucci

Teaching Hours: 90
Lab Hours: 0
Mandatory Attendance: In accordance with the regulation

Course Topics
See the individual course modules

Teaching format
See the individual course modules

Educational objectives
Module 1 – Cultural Studies Knowledge and understanding - Knowledge of basic concepts in cultural studies. - Acquisition of appropriate scientific languages for the description and analysis of social-cultural phenomena. Applying knowledge and understanding - Ability to apply social-scientific approaches and concepts to the analysis of concrete social-cultural dynamics. - Ability to apply social-scientific approaches and concepts in engaging scientific and cultural products. Making judgements - Development of critical and independent thinking regarding social-cultural phenomena. - Development of reflexive self-awareness in engaging social-cultural phenomena. Communication skills - Ability to engage in scientific writing. - Ability to participate in scientifically grounded discussions and express an informed opinion. - Presentation skills (attending students). Learning skills - Ability to autonomously extend the knowledge acquired during the course in dealing with various types of cultural products (scientific, journalistic, film, literary, digital) and communication settings. - Ability to acquire new concepts and information consistent with the analysis of changing social-cultural dynamics. Module 2 - Theories of communication - Knowledge and understanding of communication, interaction, media, their meaning and correct use, development and their influence on society and politics. Learners can recognise and describe misunderstandings in communication. - Apply knowledge and understanding of communicative processes, correct and incorrect communication in modern society. Learners can use selected communication theories to explain how misunderstandings arise and develop solutions for successful communication. - Assess types of communication, previous and current changes due to media development.

Assessment
Module 1 – Cultural Studies Attending students: Course assessment will be based on group work in class and short paper (90%), plus a final oral exam (10%). Non-attending students: Course assessment will be based on a written examination (100%). Instructions will be provided through the OLE platform. Module 2 - Theories of communication The examination consists of a presentation on a topic during the semester, a written test that can also be taken during the semester, and a final oral examination. Attending students: (those who attend at least more than half of the lectures) - Up to 55% of the grade: Presentation and active participation in lectures and exercises (max. 40% presentation, max. 15% participation) - Up to 30% of the grade: Written test: Multiple-choice questions (quiz) with four possible answers, with only one correct answer - 15% of the grade and possible upgrade of the overall assessment: oral exam on three topics, two of which can be chosen by the attending students themselves. Non-attending students: - Presentation up to 40% of the grade. Students arrange a date for their presentation during the semester with the professor and their fellow students. If this is not possible, they submit a corresponding term paper. - Written test up to 40% of the grade. Non-attending students can also take the test during the semester if they have the opportunity. If this is not done, the test will be taken on the exam date, immediately before the oral exam. - Oral exam 20% of the grade, on three topics, one of which non-attending students can choose themselves.

Evaluation criteria
Module 1 – Cultural Studies Evaluation criteria for attending students (group work, short paper, oral exam) and non-attending students (written exam) are as follows: demonstration of comprehension and ability to correctly apply course concepts; logical structure and persuasiveness of argumentation; clarity of exposition. Module 2 - Theories of communication - Knowledge and understanding of the most important disciplinary learning materials and concepts and their significance (communication, communication theories, their significance, media history, media and their influence on society and politics). - Critical ability to analyse, rethink, and reflect on communication, media, and related social issues.

Required readings

See the individual course modules




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Sustainable Development Goals
This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the following Sustainable Development Goals.

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Modules

Semester 1 · 17323A · Bachelor in Communication Sciences and Culture · 6CP · DE

Module A — Theories of communication

Communication is the basis of human coexistence. Successful communication is also an effective tool in every professional field, a key to the career ladder! In a company, smooth communication is a prerequisite for the harmonious co-operation of all those involved and thus for the success of the company.
The different types and ‘theories of communication’ and their correct application should help us to get to know the different aspects of communication, from language to body language and the media, to recognise and avoid mistakes in communication, to communicate correctly, as clearly as possible and free of misunderstandings, which will be of use to us in life, at university and at work.
We will also recognise the importance of the media for society and politics and will see for ourselves how important it is to defend our human rights, freedoms and democracy.
Our specific learning objectives are to sharpen our own communication skills, avoid mistakes and, in a world flooded with information and fake news, become confident, critical citizens who can form their own opinions with confidence and contribute to the defence of human rights, freedoms and democracy.

Lecturers: Oskar Peterlini

Teaching Hours: 45
Lab Hours: 0

Course Topics
In the subject "Theories of Communication", we deal with the concept and types of communication and their correct application, with theories, empirical analyses and practical references of communication and media in connection with society, culture, economics and politics. We learn about the most important theories and methods of communication science, which should help us to avoid mistakes in communication and to communicate correctly, as clearly as possible and free of misunderstandings. Media are the channels of communication, starting with the medium of language, body language, the "forgotten" letter (which we find again in the e-mail), the book and the digital possibilities on the Internet. This is why we also take a look at media history and learn about the influence of mass media in politics and the importance of defending our democracy and civil liberties.

Teaching format
Lecture with discussion, preparation and presentations by students, reading and classroom work. This means that the lecture is supplemented by active participation of the students: (1) Presentations (2) Classroom work (3) Two field trips to media companies (4) Guest lecture from the practice of communication The teaching excursions to media companies and the guest lecture are intended to supplement the theoretical lessons with concrete experience and also offer students an insight into possible future areas of work.

Required readings

Vorlesungs-Folien des Professors auf Teams „Theorien der Kommunikation PETERLINI“ – Files - Slides, downloadbar.

Nur die Bereiche aus den folgenden Büchern, die wir behandeln:

Markus Appel et al. (Hg) (2023): Digital ist besser?! Psychologie

der Online- und Mobilkommunikation (über Springer downloadbar), besonders: Kap: Fabian Hutmacher und Silvana Weber: Grundlagen der menschlichen Kommunikation, S. 16-29.

Joachim R. Höflich (2016): Der Mensch und seine Medien, J. (über Springer downloadbar);

Werner Pfab (2021): Kommunikation denken, Springer (unter Teams, „Theorien der Kommunikation PETERLINI – Files - Literatur, ab ladbar.

Knut Hickethier (2010): Einführung in die Medienwissenschaft, 2. Auflage, J.B. Metzler, besonders Kap. 4 Kommunikation, S. 37-57; Kap. 11. Mediendispositiv, S. 186-200.

Hague, R., Harrop, M., McCormick, J. (2019): Comparative Government and Politics. An Introduction, Red Globe Press, London, Chapt. 14, S. 234-251. (siehe, unter Teams, Files - Literatur).

Einige weitere Unterlagen werden in der Vorlesung erwähnt und in den Slides angeführt.



Supplementary readings

Ergänzende empfohlene Literatur zum Nachschlagen und Vorbereiten der Vorträge:

Georg Meggle (1997): Theorien der Kommunikation. Eine Einführung, in G.- L. Lueken (Hg.), Kommunikationstheorien – Theorien der Kommunikation. Leipzig, 1997, S. 14-40; https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/12236613.pdf 

Wolschner, K. (2021): Texte zur Geschichte und Theorie von Medien & Gesellschaft, http://www.medien-gesellschaft.de/html/am_anfang_war_musik.html, 

Bonfadelli, H. (2016): Medien und Gesellschaft im Wandel https://www.bpb.de/themen/medien-journalismus/medienpolitik/236435/medien-und-gesellschaft-im-wandel/

Hoffmann, D./ Winter, R. (2018): HANDBUCH: Mediensoziologie, Nomos; 



Semester 1 · 17323B · Bachelor in Communication Sciences and Culture · 6CP · EN

Module B — Cultural Studies

Introduce students to the basic concepts, major thinkers and schools of thought that have contributed to the development of cultural studies.

Develop students’ acquaintance with techniques of analysis in cultural studies, applying strategies developed by the Birmingham School, semiotics, post-colonial and subaltern studies, feminist and queer theory.

Develop a critical and reflexive approach to analyzing and describing contemporary sociocultural conditions, as manifested in cultural products of various sorts.

Lecturers: Dorothy Louise Zinn, Daniela Salvucci

Teaching Hours: 45
Lab Hours: 0

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