30120 - ARTS AND CULTURE II - VISUAL CULTURES (MODULE 1)

In recent years, television has undergone significant changes, due both to the natural evolution of the genre (endogenous cultural forces that make their mark as language progresses and new images become part of the collective conscience),and to developments in the field of Instrumental Trans-Communication (ITC ). All this not only encompasses technological advancessuch as web tv or on-demand technology but, above all, a mixture of genres and styles that are part of an ongoing revolution of contents, business models, and media critical analysis.

The main objective of the course is to enable students to gain a reasonably broad knowledge of TV history, as well as to equip them with all the interpretative instruments for a conscious, theorico-critical thinking, which can uncover hidden meanings underneath the great changes of this new era. The end-goal of the course is to provide students with the critical and forecasting skills necessary to best understand this medium and its future.

The learning style is characterized by the regular use of audiovisual materials, as well as panel discussions with external guests.

Students start with the history of the most important international television markets and, by virtue of the symbolic nature of the medium, then approach the customs and consumption models of the countries under discussion. Students then explore the two main aspects of television communication: genres and languages, whilst dealing also with the new dynamics and elements that are pushing more and more today’stelevision towards post-modernity, in terms of new media and cross media strategies. Finally the mechanisms underpinning creativity in television guide the students through the observation of how details and differences linked to certain communication vehicles affect the audience’s experience, and how this can be uncovered through the analysis of audience measurements.

The main themes of the course will be: 

• A theoretical approach
• Television history and international overview
• Language, styles and genres
• Tools for storytellers: making television

Detailed description of the exam will be communicated at the
beginning of the course"

Detailed list of textbooks, articles and essays will be communicated at the beginning of the course.

This class does not need previous knowledge on the topic. However is recommended a daily reading of newspapers and trade magazines.