The course aims to provide the tools for observation and critical analysis of the forms of contemporary live performance in the light of the observation perspective of liveness, understood as a mediatised form of live communication.

Specifically, the course aims to promote the following objectives
- acquire theoretical knowledge aimed at framing the transformations of live communication in the light of performance theory;
- to acquire complex theoretical knowledge aimed at observing the relationship of structural homology between performance forms and socio-communicative structures
- acquire the terminology of media languages for the analysis of contemporary performance

- to know how to frame contemporary performance from the perspective of liveness as a form of live communication in mediatised contexts 

- acquire elements of theoretical and practical analysis of liveness in digital communication contexts;

- acquire theoretical and practical tools for analysing the phenomena of digital liveness;

- know how to analyse a live spectacular event in written and/or oral form

- acquire theoretical and practical tools for analysing live performance audiences.

1. The theory of performance

1.1 Structural homologies between performance forms, societal structure and communication

1.2. Mediology of performance from ritual to theatre, from orality to writing

1.3. Performance as a form of communicative interaction

1.4. Theatre performance and media: strategies of elaboration of media languages in live performance

1.5. Hybrid performances and new articulations of the here and now

2. Performance and mediatisation

2.1. The concepts of mediatisation: mediation, logical mediation, remediation

2.2. The mediatisation of the social

2.3. Media performances and events

3. Live media

3.1. Live and mass media - radio

3.2. Live television and media events

3.3. Live digital media

4. Liveness: mediatisation of performance

4.1. Dimensions of liveness: simultaneity, interaction, unpredictability

4.2. Liveness and performance genres: differences between theatre, music, sport

4.3. The role of the audience

4.4. The media specific and the evaluation of liveness

5. Liveness in digital media

5.1. Liveness and livestreaming in digital platforms

5.2. Related media events

5.3. Live streaming entertainment: aesthetics of mainstream digital performance  

6. Analysis of liveness entertainment

6.1. Media dramaturgies

6.2. The audience of the contemporary spectacle

6.3. Reviewing/analysing a liveness performance

1. Knowledge and understanding
- Knowledge and understanding of performance theory;
- knowledge and understanding of the theoretical frameworks used for the analysis of media languages;
- knowledge and understanding of empirical research processes that can be used in the field of contemporary live performance and media.
Students achieve this basic knowledge through attendance of lectures and seminars, the study of texts discussed in the classroom and through in-class practice activities.
2. Applied knowledge and understanding
- ability to analyse media and live performance products
- ability to apply mediological concepts to spectacular events
- ability to understand methodological differences in relation to the object of research
- ability to empirically generalise and use theoretical concepts in the interpretation of results, analysis of spectacular products, etc.
2.1. Skills acquired through laboratory exercises in the classroom.

3. Autonomy of judgement
- critical and analytical capacity to grasp the differences in the various spectacular and performing contexts
- ability to identify practicable objects of analysis in the field of contemporary performance
- ability to identify research methodologies appropriate to different contexts
- ability to formulate adequate research questions and operational hypotheses
- ability to read and interpret the dramaturgical dimensions of spectacular events
3.1. This ability will have to be applied in classroom discussions with the lecturer and colleagues, during the exercises and in the preparation of the final examination.

4. Communication skills
- ability to present analyses produced during class exercises
- willingness to actively participate in lectures with questions and comments
- ability to write a review of a performing event

- ability to analyse a performance event and make a presentation in class
- ability to work in a group
- ability to produce and share materials on course topics
4.1. Skills that are practised in the classroom by organising moments of discussion, practice and active participation in the social channels of the course.

5. Learning skills
- ability to apply and correctly use theoretical terms and concepts relating to performance events
- ability to analyse and critically evaluate, both in methodological aspects and in the results, empirical research conducted in the spectacular field
- ability to find the necessary sources for analysing spectacular events
- ability to link the concepts learnt
5.1. Skills to be strengthened through argumentation with the teacher and fellow students

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

The course makes use of teaching materials, power point presentations and video materials, reading and study materials made available to students on the dedicated blended learning platform.
The course organises seminars and meetings with representatives of the performing arts world, experts and external experts in order to provide students with the tools to access professional and research dimensions in the field of performance and entertainment.

Teaching

Lectures and in-depth seminars with the aid of audiovisual materials. 
The course includes in-class, individual and group practice phases.

Innovative teaching methods

• flipped lesson on some topics of the course;
• individual and group exercises and in-depth studies, which students will carry out using the University's Moodle platform.

Attendance

Study of the indicated texts, participation in seminars and meetings with experts, participation in classroom exercises.

Course books

Auslander P. (2009), Liveness. Performance in a Mediatized Culture, Sage, London.

Other specified material.

Assessment

The assessment of learning will take place 1. by means of an individual oral interview based on the reference texts for the examination, aimed at assessing both the student's learning of the contents and his or her ability to rework and argue; 2. by assessing the level of participation in class in lectures, seminars, oral and written classroom exercises.

The following will result in excellent marks: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics dealt with; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient marks will be awarded: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, even in the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Access to teaching materials provided on the blended learning platform.

Attendance

Study of the indicated texts.

Course books

Auslander P. (2009), Liveness. Performance in a Mediatized Culture, Sage, London.

Other specified material.

Assessment

The assessment of learning will take place 1. by means of an individual oral interview based on the reference texts for the examination, aimed at assessing both the student's learning of the contents and his or her ability to rework and argue; 2. by assessing the level of participation in class in lectures, seminars, oral and written classroom exercises.

The following will result in excellent marks: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth study skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics dealt with; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient marks will be awarded: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, even in the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulties in the orientation of the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.