Learning objectives
In the light of its target students (i.e. students attending the first cycle degree in Communication and
contemporary media for creative industries), this course has two objectives: 1. it aims at providing
students with the basic knowledge that will be necessary for a possibly more specialized approach
to the subject; 2. it aims at making students able to comprehend some of the cognitive mechanisms
involved in our communication processes and to critically analyze their role, especially in mass
media communication.
By the end of the course, students are expected to:
• know the central issues of the embodiment debate, with special reference to the embodiment
of language – (knowledge and understanding);
• know the main aspects of the Computational and Representational Theory of Mind –
(knowledge and understanding);
• know the main aspects of the Cognitive Theory of Metaphor – (knowledge and
understanding);
• know what mirror neurons are and understand their potential cognitive role – (applying
knowledge and understanding);
• be able to apply the knowledge acquired during the course to the analysis of bodily
metaphors in use in mass media communication – (applying knowledge and understanding);
• be able to evaluate, compare and make judgements about the different theoretical
approaches presented during the course – (making judgements);
• clearly present the knowledge acquired during the course and use the technical language of
the subject – (communications skills);
• be able to enhance the knowledge of the subject through autonomous readings of scientific
publications – (learning skills).
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
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Full programme
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Bibliography
- R. Gibbs (2006), Embodiment and Cognitive Sciences, Cambridge University Press
(Introduction, chapters I and II).
- Lakoff and Johnson (1980), Metaphors we live by, University of Chicago Press, It. Transl.
Metafora e vita quotidiana, Bompiani .
- Ammaniti and Gallese (2014), La nascita dell’intersoggettività, Raffaello Cortina Editore
(chapter I).
- Cuccio, Carapezza, Gallese, (2013), Metafore che risuonano. Linguaggio e corpo tra
filosofia e neuroscienze. E/C, n. 17, pages. 69-74.
- Powerpoint presentations and all the other teaching materials provided by the teacher.
Teaching methods
• Formal lectures.
• Interactive (Socratic) lectures.
The active role of the students will be supported and facilitated as much as possible. In each class,
formal teaching methods will be alternated with questions/answers moments. Furthermore, students
will be also invited to apply the acquired knowledge through exercises carried out during the
lessons. The following teaching materials will be used during the course:
• PowerPoint Presentations.
• Short video clips.
• Mass media communication images.
• Reading of passages from scientific publications.
The PowerPoint presentations and all the in-class notes related to the other teaching materials will
count as part of the readings for the course. The teaching material will be made available during the
classes. They can also be requested via email directly to the teacher.
Assessment methods and criteria
To assess the students learning outcomes at the end of the course a written test will be administered.
The test will be made up of three open-ended questions. One hour will be allowed to carry out the
test. Test scores will be communicated via the Elly platform within the three weeks following the
day of the test. It is MANDATORY to register for the test using the on line registration system.
Tests will be graded on the bases of the following criteria:
Criteria Score
Content Knowledge 0-10
Coherent and systematic elaboration 0-10
Correct exposition, use of specific language 0-10
Other information
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