BERGAMO
Dati Generali
Periodo di attività
Syllabus
Obiettivi Formativi
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- critically analyse how tourism destinations, identities and cultures are constructed and represented across a range of traditional and digital media;
- apply key concepts from media studies—including theories of representation, critical cultural studies, visual rhetoric and platform studies—to the analysis of tourism discourse;
- evaluate the role of social media platforms, user-generated content and algorithmic curation in shaping destination image, tourist expectations and travel behaviour;
- identify and critically discuss stereotypes, ideological assumptions and cultural narratives embedded in tourism communication, with particular reference to representations of Italy in Anglophone media;
- analyse multimodal tourism texts by integrating linguistic, visual and contextual perspectives;
- produce well-structured oral and written critical analyses using appropriate academic English at CEFR C1+ level;
- develop informed and ethical approaches to tourism communication by reflecting on issues of cultural representation, inclusivity and media responsibility.
Prerequisiti
Metodi didattici
The course will be based on lectures and seminars where textual analysis of authentic texts will be carried out. Special attention will be given to debate and students will be encouraged to suggest topics for further analysis. The 36-hour module does not comprise practice sessions; however, students are strongly advised to attend both the activities planned by the University of Bergamo Linguistic Centre for their level of competence and any tutoring activities on offer throughout the year.
Verifica Apprendimento
The exam consists of two parts: 1) AAL assessment test; 2) Oral exam (accessible only after passing the AAL assessment test)
1) The AAL assessment test is administered by the University Language Center (CLA). For information on AAL content, as well as the procedures and schedule for the related assessment tests, please refer to the CLA website.
The AAL assessment test is a prerequisite for the oral exam: students cannot take the oral exam without first passing the AAL assessment test. Achievement of the level required by the AAL and certified by the AAL assessment test remains valid for 18 months, within which time students may take the oral exam.
ORAL EXAM: The exam will be a discussion (in English) of the course topics: at least three questions will be asked, to assess the acquisition of course contents.
For the final grade, the AAL assessment test accounts for one-third of the final grade (33%); the oral exam accounts for two-thirds of the final grade (66%).
The evaluation criteria for the oral exam will take into account the student’s ability to express themselves, as well as their accuracy in vocabulary, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and phonology, and their subject-matter expertise.
In particular, the assessment will be divided into five bands:
- Excellent (30 cum laude) - Knowledge and skills fully acquired and applied with precision, effectiveness and autonomy. No mistakes.
- Very good (30-27) - Very sound knowledge and skills, applied correctly and with confidence. Minor and non-recurring mistakes.
- Good (26-24) - Adequate knowledge and skills, with some uncertainty or imprecision. Presence of not serious or systematic mistakes.
- Sufficient (23-18) - Basic knowledge and skills acquired but applied partially or with evident mistakes. Sufficient general understanding.
- Insufficient (less than 18) - Insufficient knowledge and skills not adequately developed. Numerous mistakes affecting the success of the task
Contenuti
The module offers a dynamic exploration of how tourism destinations, cultures and experiences are represented and communicated in the contemporary media landscape. Moving beyond traditional linguistic analysis, we will critically examine the construction of destination identities through various media forms, with a particular focus on the historical and contemporary portrayal of Italy as a destination, especially as perceived by an American audience.
The course delves into the power of digital media platforms like Instagram and user-generated content in shaping tourism narratives. We will analyze how visual storytelling, multimodal communication, and algorithmic curation influence perceptions and travel behaviors. Key theoretical perspectives from media studies, such as critical cultural studies, visual rhetoric, platform studies, and theories of representation, will provide the foundation for understanding complex media environments. Each week will involve active engagement with case studies, group discussions, and practical workshops, encouraging students to deconstruct prevailing narratives, identify stereotypes, and develop more nuanced and ethical approaches to tourism communication.
Altre informazioni
COURSE reading list: available on Leganto App GRAMMAR Reading Lists
Students who have obtained an international language certification at the C2 level within the last two calendar years are exempt from taking the computer-based portion of the exam. The list of recognized certifications is available on the CLA website at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GnI-gBmA9SXY4HrM9B-bZc58J_CFT7gzEIMlYuSdbDs/edit?tab=t.0
The forms for requesting recognition of the certifications mentioned above are available on the university’s website.