Ateneo - UPO

The course offers an introduction to contemporary aesthetics of communication and information and a discussion on some key issues of the present. After analysing the crucial concepts, we will deal with the birth of the theory and the aesthetics of information in the second half of the 20th century and with the emergence of our epoch’s socio-technological imaginaries. The last part of the course is devoted to the transformations of contemporary symbolic economy mediated by new technology.

Umberto Eco (ed.), Estetica e teoria dell’informazione, Bompiani 1972 (selected texts); Max Bense, Estetica, Bompiani 1974 (selected passages); Federico Campagna, Magia e tecnica. La ricostruzione della realtà, Tlon 2021 (selected passages); James Bridle, Nuova era oscura, NERO 2019 (selected passages); Erik Davis, Techgnosis. Mito magia e misticismo nell’era dell’informazione, NERO 2023 (selected passages).
All texts will be available in the DIR area of the course.

At a basic level, the course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the main topics, concepts and problems addressed in the course; the ability to understand and analyse the texts and philosophical problems included in the programme; the ability to present the contents clearly, using appropriate disciplinary terminology. At an advanced level, the course aims to develop in-depth and structured knowledge of the topics, concepts, and authors addressed in the course; the ability to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis and interpretation of the texts and problems discussed; the ability to establish independent and well-argued connections between different topics, authors, and perspectives, using rigorous disciplinary terminology.

Knowledge of the Italian language.

Lectures with slides (available in the course’s DIR area), reading and discussion of texts, seminar discussions.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) or Special Educational Needs (BES) can request specific services and tools dedicated to them by contacting the Career Development and Coordination and Student Services Staff and consulting the dedicated page of the University website (https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentidisabili- e-dsa). Students with disabilities, DSA or BES, once they have made contact with the University Staff, they can contact the professor regarding educational aspects and examination mode.

The assessment is designed to verify the achievement of the course objectives and intended learning outcomes, both at a basic and at an advanced level. The final test consists in an 15/20-minutes long oral exam which verifies the learning objectives. The minimum passing level corresponds to knowledge of the fundamental contents and the ability to correctly reconstruct the main topics, concepts, and arguments addressed in the course. An advanced level requires, in addition to knowledge of the contents, the ability to carry out critical analysis and interpretation, establish connections, and formulate independent arguments, using disciplinary terminology rigorously. Top marks will be assigned on the basis of the accuracy, in-depth analysis and capacity of elaboration of the answers as well as the capacity of drawing connections internal to the program and critical references to concrete cases.

First part: introduction to the philosophy and aesthetics of communication. Second part: history and theory of communication and information in the late 20th century; problems of contemporary aesthetics of communication and information. Third part: analysis of the relation between imaginary and technology from cybernetics until today. Fourth part: discussion of specific topics related to the aesthetics and the symbolic economy of new technology (platforms, AI, data centres, infrastructure, new media) and to the imaginary of the “fourth industrial revolution”.

At a basic level, at the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main contents, concepts, and problems addressed in the course; reconstruct the main theses and arguments of the authors and texts studied; correctly use the main concepts and disciplinary terminology. At an advanced level, at the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse the texts, theses, and problems addressed in the course; apply the knowledge acquired to the interpretation of the texts and problems proposed; establish independent and well-argued connections between the different topics, authors, and problems addressed.