Educational offer - University of Padova

Syllabus

Prerequisites:	Basic knowledge concerning world politics and the transformation, role and social implications of digital and communication technologies; understanding of dynamics that lead to policy orientation and governing arrangements, including political participation; basic knowledge of sociological issues and terminology; curiosity for the global dimension of political and communication phenomena and for the understanding of social consequences and implications produced by digital and media technologies; interest in research work, including group work, and critical discussions. Good knowledge of the English language; basic knowledge of a second foreign language.
Target skills and knowledge:	Expected results: acquisition of elements to support critical analysis of contemporary communication realities, with a global outlook, and a special focus on how themes, problems and challenges posed by the developments of information and communication technologies invite the definition of new regulatory interventions. Students will also acquire theoretical-analytical frameworks and methods for understanding different supra- and trans-national realities (organizations, initiatives, networks) representatives of developments that characterize knowledge societies and the governing arrangements that characterize them. Furthermore students will develop a critical understanding of the social and cultural implications of digital technologies, with a sociological focus on innovation processes, digital media, sharing economy and their impact on everyday life. The possibility to deal in class with case studies and specific issues will provide students with important skills in view of designing interventions in these areas, like the elaboration of position papers, project definition in trans-national and multi-actors contexts, mapping of interests and analysis of languages used by policy-ideators and policy-makers. Expected cognitive results concern better understanding of the nexus between domestic, regional and transnational communication developments and their governance; awareness of current debates concerning global communication and its social implications and impacts, with a focus on actors’ interactions; acquisition of a gender perspective through which communication processes and policies should be critically understood, and focus on diversity and intersectional issues in digital developments. Transversal competences will be acquired through interactive learning, engagement with peers, group work, and international exchanges: communication abilities, public speaking also in intercultural contexts, autonomous judgement; collaborative modes for the production of new knowledge; critical rethinking of knowledge development and sharing.
Examination methods:	Evaluation will include the overall participation of students in class discussions and activities (20%); commitment to reading assigned materials and class activities, including through the elaboration of individual written assignments and short video recording (30%); commitment, autonomy and creativity in conducting themed group research work, through the elaboration of collective papers/posters and class presentation, making use of the knowledge and transversal competence acquired during the course (50%). The final grade will be based on all the activities mentioned above, including design and elaboration and class presentation of group work activities, production and oral presentation of final papers.
Assessment criteria:	Integral components for students’ performance evaluation are: participation in class, also through collaborative work and group work; individual reading and writing assignments and video recording that assess students’ understanding and capacity to critically rethink the course contents. Design and elaboration and class presentation of group work activities, theme based with an international outlook. Production of final papers. Active participation in yearly themed ‘LABs’ (when activated) and completion of related assignments are core components of the final evaluation.