Italy

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrolment is by permission of the instructor. Students selecting the Italian subject area must select the course readings in Italian. The course examines gender studies (theories and methodologies) in diverse cultural contexts with specific reference to the analyses of the notions of identity and otherness, difference, and diversity. The course favors the capability to deconstruct these notions in diverse texts (theoretical, literary, and visual). The course presents case studies in which texts (literary and visual) are in dialogue with theories and methodologies of gender and postcolonial studies. The texts elaborate on the issue of gender, identity, difference, race, and politics of the body in the representations, transmissions, and elaborations of traumatic events in literary and visual texts (with specific reference to utopian and dystopian fictions). Lessons make reference to memory and trauma studies, dystopia, and science fiction within a gender and postgender perspective. The course elaborates on debates on the intersectionality of gender(s) and race in theories, and visual and literary texts, and to analyze issues related to utopia/dystopia/science fiction within a postcolonial and posthuman perspective. The main theoretical issues discussed by the course include critical theories and methodologies of gender and women's studies and queer studies; re-reading of the notion of identity, difference, and diversity; gender as a social construction; women’s and postcolonial re-visions of the symbolic and social order; the construction of sexual difference as a deconstructive strategy; re-writings of the body; French Feminism(s) and African American and Postcolonial responses; postcolonial and African American critical debates on the representation and deconstruction of the notion of gender and race. New politics of identity and difference; intersectionality of race and gender(s); and the interconnection of gender, ethnicity, and race in trauma and memory studies.

The aim of the course is to equip participants with toolkits to develop strategies for managerial problems in the context of marketing communications. The different modules of the program introduce the participants to the theoretical models, methods and techniques with the aim to: 1) develop a communication strategy; 2) effectively and synergistically manage the various tools of the communication mix; and 3) monitor and measure the performance of the initiatives developed. In addition to the traditional marketing communication channels, the course also introduces  the emerging online marketing communication channels to deal with changing media consumption habits of consumers. Although the course addresses marketing communication from a managerial perspective, it also offers students critical tools for evaluating the ethical aspects of communication and its undesirable consequences on individuals and society. Finally, the course covers the contribution of communication to corporate social responsibility and cause-related marketing initiatives and to the non-profit world.

This course focuses on the intersections between the fashion system and the media system. Students learn about the evolution of both the fashion and media within the Italian context and the fundamentals of the historical evolution of fashion communication in the Italian mediascape. Students analyze events, campaigns, exhibitions, fashion shows, public relations activities, customer management, and other fashion-related events to understand the communication strategies of the fashion industry for advertising and promotion purposes. The controversial impact of new technologies (i.e. social media, bloggers, influencers) are also discussed, along with a critical reflection on ethical matters concerning the role of fashion as a major influential presence in the media and more in general in our culture. Students learn how fashion communication works also by acquiring and practicing communication skills in fashion projects. They will understand hands-on how the fashion communication process develops, experimenting with how to design and develop a fashion communication campaign (articles, blog entries, social media posts, etc.) with a focus on Italian brands. Students explore their own potential as fashion communicators, learning the basics to create branded content for the fashion industry, choosing the most suitable media outlets, and crafting effective messages. A critical analysis of how fashion language has evolved, from 19th–century fashion magazines to today’s blogs and influencers, also helps students acquire the fundamentals of how to communicate fashion. 

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program in semiotics. The course is intended for advanced levels students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course introduces the theoretical and methodological foundations of the interdisciplinary field of gender studies. The course maps the genealogy and main contemporary debates in feminist, LGBT, and queer studies, with particular attention to the study of queer sexual cultures. The course analyzes some of the major topics within the transnational fields of gender and queer studies, from an intersectional perspective. The first lectures focus on the historical, social, and cultural construction of the sex/gender system in Modern Western culture, placing it within the processes of nation building, colonization, and racialization. The second part of the course is devoted to the history of feminisms, with a special focus on black, postcolonial, and decolonial feminisms. LGBTQIA+ knowledges and politics are also discussed along with queer theories and their pivotal role in reconfiguring the very categories of gender and sexualities. An analysis of queer and feminist posthuman perspectives concludes the course.

The course focuses on the principal facts and crucial questions regarding Italian art from the fifteenth century to the end of the eighteenth century. In particular, the technical methods that define style and form, iconography, and technique and the connections to the historical, social and cultural timeframe in which the works of art were produced. Students are expected to become familiar with the key themes and particularities of the period along with the ambitions of the artists themselves. Students are also expected to be able to identify and comment on the works of the most representative artists and movements of the periods. It begins with the life and work of Leonardo da Vinci and concludes with the careers of Antonio Canova and Jacques-Louis David. It focuses on artists, movements, and essential topics, and at the same time provides students with the tools for understanding and analyzing the works of art, in relation to their historical and cultural context, their style, iconography, and technique. Students are expected to complete the knowledge and skills acquired during lectures with the assigned background readings.

Entrepreneurship is one of the most intriguing and mysterious components of modern economies. The "Made in Italy" brand is recognized internationally and has become synonymous with high quality, authenticity, and excellence. What’s behind the brand "Made in Italy" is one of the questions posed in class, including some of the most important European family-owned companies in Italy. Various topics are tackled through invited speakers and opportunities to interview first-hand several entrepreneurs, such as the Chinese entrepreneurs in the textile industry in Prato. The second part of the course examines the Food & Beverage Industry in Italy, with particular attention to post-pandemic trends. Case studies include Nonino grappa, Calvisius Caviar, and Venchi chocolate. The course uses a large array of texts and academic sources to assess real life case studies. It also critically evaluates major issues which affect entrepreneurship today, such as globalization, sustainability, and ethics, as well as various laws affecting the food industry.

This course completes the elementary level of Italian, affording the opportunity to expand conversation, writing, and reading skills while consolidating knowledge of more complex grammar structures. Students understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure time, etc. They deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They learn to produce simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. They describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly illustrate opinions and plans. Students expand their Italian vocabulary and improve their mode of expression in the language. They are aware of the significant differences that exist between uses, customs, behaviors, and values of the community in which they live. They also master essential rules of courtesy and etiquette of the hosting country. All four abilities (writing, speaking, listening, reading) are developed in the class, also with the support of authentic audiovisual materials such as Italian movies, short videos, TV programs, and songs. The course uses a communication-based approach: students engage in daily role-plays, group activities, games, and class discussions. Out of class activities are designed to take advantage of the opportunities for interaction and language practice, as well as immersion in Italian culture, that the city provides.

The course focuses on the key grammatical points in intermediate Italian. Students refine their ability to talk about family, studies, and free time and to produce simple texts regarding familiar subjects and personal interests. Students refine their use of the past tense to express events that have already taken place and to use the future tense to describe dreams, hopes and ambitions. Students also refine their use of grammatical structures necessary for expressing opinions. Admission is by entrance exam only. Course is taught by University of Bologna instructors and includes laboratory exercises. Course is graded on P/NP basis.