Political Communication

Docente: Maurizio Viroli
Assistente: Federica Frediani
Assistente: Andrea Ponzetta

Course type: Master +2
Value in ECTS: 3

Fall Semester 2012/13

Subject:

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the classic rudiments of the political rhetoric and to analyze the communication forms adopted from Ancient Times to today. We will give special attention to symbolic representations and public rituals aimed at illustrating the principles of republicanism to the citizens and to the political elite. During the lessons we will examine the structures and rhetoric techniques of political addresses.

Teaching method

Teaching is based on a dialogical style, combining theoretical lessons with class discussions and students´ presentations.

Evaluation/Exam

The final exam will be in two parts. The first part, based on a classroom presentation, will be evaluated and will make up for 30% of the final grade. The second part (70% of the final grade) will be a regular in-class written exam.

Bibliografy

Thucydide, Peloponnesian War
Aristotele, Rhetoric
Calcagnini, Description of silence
Cicerone, De Oratore
Siegel Jerrold, Rhetoric and Philosophy in Renaissance Humanism
Viroli, From politics to Reason of State