Ateneo - UPO

The course will provide a general overview of the mechanisms of social communication, with a particular focus on both the ethical aspects of communication by public institutions and on disinformation and its impact on individual and collective decision-making. It will also explore how the persuasive and manipulative aspects of communication are conceptually linked to behavioural economics.

R. Thaler, Behavioral Economics: Past, Present, and Future, in "American Economic Review", 106, 7, pp. 1577-1600
Noggle, Robert, "The Ethics of Manipulation", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2026 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = .
The slides and scientific articles shared during the lectures will be considered integral material.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
● Understand the main theories and fundamental concepts of communicative pragmatics, recognising the different forms and degrees of intersubjectivity.
● To analyse relational dynamics and organisational power structures, linking theoretical models to real-world examples drawn from behavioural economics
● Apply communicative-interaction tools and models to interpret and address practical issues of team management, conflict management and negotiation skills.
● Critically assess the impact of digital transformation and hybrid communication on team dynamics and leadership.
● Collaborate effectively in group projects, including using digital tools to communicate and coordinate activities in hybrid or virtual environments.
● Demonstrate professional and ethical awareness in managing communicative forms, with a focus on the principles of personal vulnerability and responsible management.
● Be aware of the use and recognition of expressions and words in the public sphere.
● Recognise mechanisms of public disinformation.
● Use the knowledge acquired to understand the dynamics of public communication.

No prerequisites

The course adopts a blended learning approach, designed to coherently integrate asynchronous online activities (2 CFU) with sessions in person (1 CFU).
The asynchronous activities are primarily devoted to introducing and systematising the key theoretical concepts of communicative pragmatics and behavioural economics, providing interpretative models, analytical frameworks and tools for understanding individual, group and organisational dynamics.
The In-person session focuses on the development of soft skills and the practical application of theoretical content through case studies, simulations, role plays and group work. During these sessions, students are encouraged to critically reflect on organisational behaviours, engage with different perspectives and experiment with effective communication, collaboration and decision-making practices.
The course includes practical exercises and collaborative projects aimed at strengthening transversal skills such as teamwork, leadership, conflict management and self-awareness in organisational contexts.
Overall, the course design seeks to balance flexibility and active participation, fostering experiential learning and the ability to transfer theory and skills to real organisational situations, with particular attention to issues related to innovation and sustainability.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

Student performance will be assessed through a combination of continuous assessment and a final examination.
A mid-term group project will represent the continuous assessment component. Students will work in teams to analyse a real or simulated organisational case, applying the theoretical concepts and frameworks discussed during the course. The project will be evaluated based on analytical rigour, application of theory, teamwork effectiveness, and clarity of presentation.
The final exam will consist of one open-ended question and ten multiple-choice questions covering the main topics of the course. The multiple-choice section will test factual knowledge and conceptual understanding, while the open question will assess the student’s ability to integrate, interpret, and critically discuss the theoretical contents.
The final grade will combine the outcomes of both components, rewarding continuous engagement, teamwork, and the ability to apply theory to practice.

The exam will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Not Successful: important deficiencies and/or inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics; limited ability to analyse and synthesise, frequent generalisations and limited critical and judgemental skills, the topics are set out inconsistently and with inappropriate language;
18-20: Barely sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topics with possible generalisations and imperfections; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgement, topics are frequently exposed in an incoherent way and with inappropriate/technical language;
21-23: Routine knowledge and understanding of topics; ability to analyse and synthesise correctly with sufficiently coherent logical argumentation and appropriate/technical language;
24-26: Fair knowledge and understanding of the topics; Good analytical and synthetic skills with arguments expressed in a rigorous manner but with language that is not always appropriate/technical;
27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the topics; considerable capacity for analysis and synthesis. Good autonomy of judgement. Arguments presented in a rigorous manner and with appropriate/technical language;
30-30L: Excellent level of knowledge and thorough understanding of topics. Excellent analytical and synthetic skills and independent judgement. Arguments expressed in an original manner and with appropriate technical language.

The course will focus on emerging organisational challenges, such as diversity and inclusion management and the evolution of hybrid, remote, and virtual work settings, along with their impact on communication — across its logical-critical, argumentative, and persuasive dimensions — as well as on peer collaboration, leadership, and organisational well-being. In this regard, the course will examine key aspects of late-20th-century pragmatics: theoretical principles of social communication will be applied to techniques of persuasive rhetoric and to students’ own practice of public communication, with the aim of strengthening their autonomy of judgment. Examples will be drawn both from ancient philosophical texts (with particular reference to Aristotle) devoted to the persuasive effectiveness of public speech, and from contemporary marketing language, in order to illustrate — critically rather than philologically — the potential, limits, and ethical implications of public communication within the behavioural economics. Practical activities inspired by debating formats will be carried out during the lessons.

Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire foundational knowledge of key organisational behaviour theories, with a focus on individual and group behaviour in work contexts. They will develop an understanding of motivation, leadership, communication, organisational culture and climate, as well as how sustainability, innovation and digital transformation influence ways of working and professional relationships, or how they should be adapted in response to climate change.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire a basic understanding of the main models of pragmatic communication that govern individual and group behaviour in workplace contexts. They will develop an understanding of the dynamics of motivation, leadership, communication, organisational culture and climate, as well as how sustainability, innovation and digital transformation influence ways of working and the transfer of knowledge

Making judgements
Students will develop the ability to make independent and critical judgements about behavioural economics, recognising trade-offs between effectiveness, individual well-being, inclusion and social responsibility. They will be encouraged to reflect on the ethical and relational implications of behaviours and decisions in work contexts, taking into account diversity and situational factors.

Communication skills
Students will strengthen their ability to communicate organizational analyses and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing, employing appropriate technical terminology in English. They will further develop collaboration and communication skills for hybrid and virtual work environments, drawing on the competencies refined throughout the course to critically interpret texts and contexts, identify reasoning fallacies, and produce well-structured and persuasive arguments.

Learning skills
Students will enhance their capacity for autonomous and reflective learning by integrating theoretical insights with observation of organisational behaviours and analysis of interactions in various contexts. This will support lifelong learning and greater professional adaptability in complex and continuously evolving working environments.