aCademiC Catalog 2013-2014 - Lorenzo de Medici

FLORENCE
School of Arts & Sciences
Sport, Culture and Communication
COM 282 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
This course explores the various meanings of sport, how these
meanings may be interpreted, and how sports fits into the
larger context of society. Students will examine how sport can
communicate cultural values, promote health, play an important
role in prevention of chronic diseases and work effectively for
social integration. Particular areas of interest include sport in
the context of the following: nationalism and civic pride, health
and wellness, social deviance, gender, race, social stratification,
scholastic sport and higher education, and politics. Students will
examine various texts and films that highlight the importance
of sport in society. Special emphasis will be given to European
and Italian approach to sports.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing
Intercultural Communication
COM 290 F; Dual listed: ANT 290 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
The course, which introduces students to the basic patterns
of cross-cultural psychology and communication, proposes
an analysis of communication behavior in interpersonal and
intercultural, individual and group environments. Along with a
study of the influence of culture on identity, viewpoints, and
communication, it progressively proposes all the theoretical
concepts that are necessary to analyze communication in
an interpersonal and intercultural context. Topics include:
common communication difficulties, communication roles
and proxemics. Special emphasis is placed on rituals, message
patterns, clothing, myths, ideologies, and on the influence of
the mass media on our cross-cultural representation of reality.
Prerequisites: Junior standing or concurrent enrolment in the
International Conflict Transformation Certificate
Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills
COM 292 F; Dual listed: PSY 292 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
This intensive course grounds students in the theory of the
methods of collaborative conflict resolution strategies and trains
them to use those methods for a range of real-world situations.
Central are techniques of proven professional effectiveness,
in particular those of the National Conflict Resolution
Center. The course includes an overview of interest-based
conflict resolution, effective communication skills (to prevent
escalation), negotiation from a problem-solving (rather than
competitive) perspective, approaches for managing conflicts
in personal and professional settings, and a strategy for leaders
on campuses, communities, and workplaces. Students further
learn the art of formal mediation with individuals and large
groups. Further techniques serve to deal with more intractable
disputes in the realm of high-intensity, complex, and large-scale
conflicts. In addition to a highly structured process, students
learn culturally appropriate adaptations, how to manage
impasse, and how to handle highly emotional people. Taught
by NCRC instructors.
Public Relations
COM 300 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
We will study the definitions, functions and evolution of public
relations, including the application of PR theory and ways to
plan a PR campaign (planning process, issue analysis, research
methods and strategies). The different fields in which public
relations practitioners operate will be presented in relation to
case studies and exercises: media relations, event management,
crisis management, corporate identity, internal/external
communications, community relations, international PR and
marketing support, and effectiveness evaluation. Finally, future
perspectives and new technological opportunities will be taken
into account, trying to define new boundaries for a discipline
too often underrated or misunderstood.
Prerequisites: COM 180 Mass Communication, or equivalent
War and Media
COM 301 F; Dual listed: POL 301 F / PST 301 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
This course analyses the role played by the media in the
evolution of national and international wars. We will investigate
the extent to which the media either influence decision-making
about military interventions or serve as tools in the hands of
government officials seeking to influence public opinion. A
number of media-related phenomena will be studied including
the CNN effect, agenda setting, real time policy, media diplomacy,
media war, news management and propaganda, through the
examination of key international conflicts, especially since
1950. Several different topics will be explained to understand
the intersection between war and media: the proliferation
of satellite technologies and the internet; the importance of
the international TV networks (like CNN and al Jazeera); the
role of still and moving images; the importance of journalists
and journalistic routines; the relevance of press conferences,
briefings, and official statements; the representation of war
in movies and artists’ works; the media gap between “North”
and “South”; the emergence of “non-Western” media; and also
the spread of ethnic conflicts and terrorism, and the more and
more asymmetric nature of war.
Prerequisites: COM 180 Mass Communication, or HIS 130
Western Civilization, or POL 150 Introduction to Political
Science, or equivalents
Broadcasting: Italian Culture and Television
COM 305 F; Dual listed: CLT 305 F / SOC 305 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
This course examines the development of commercial
television broadcasting, its beginnings in radio and its creation
of distinctive genres in Italy. Italian state and private television
are analyzed and compared. The course also considers
different theoretical approaches to the analysis of television by
investigating the various theories of its effects and the impact
on other media. The course will examine today’s main trends,
strategies and broadcast in Italian television. A strong link is
also provided between Italian television and Italian culture.
Prerequisites: COM 180 Mass Communication, or equivalent
Communications Internship: Web TV
COM 361 F; Dual listed: FVM 361 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 135
This course provides practical and professional experience in
the field of Communications at a distinctive Italian placement
site. The intern is monitored by both the onsite supervisor and
an LdM faculty member. The grade assigned by the faculty
internship supervisor reflects assessment of weekly reports,
two papers, and an overall evaluation. Ten hours weekly at the
internship site; student internship schedules and onsite duties
may vary. The placement is with the LdM Web TV offices;
interns may develop and carry out various types of ongoing
and special activities which may include but are not limited to:
script writing, multimedia writing, interviews, research, video
work, editing, website management.
Note: Placement opportunities are limited and subject
to change. Students who enroll must submit supporting
documentation by the registration deadline, and acceptance is
conditional upon result of an onsite interview during the first
week of the term. Fluency in Italian may be advantageous.
Prerequisites: Communications/Journalism majors of junior
standing
Communications Internship
COM 362 F
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 135
This course provides practical and professional experience in
the field of Communications at a distinctive Italian placement
site. The intern is monitored by both the onsite supervisor and
an LdM faculty member. The grade assigned by the faculty
internship supervisor reflects assessment of weekly reports,
two papers, and an overall evaluation. Ten hours weekly at the
internship site; student internship schedules and onsite duties
may vary. The placement is with a private publishing company
specialized in tourist information for Florence and Tuscany.
Interns may develop and carry out various activities which may
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LdM Academic Catalog 2013-2014