CRITICAL MANAGEMENT FOR CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS - 1

This course is part of the core offering of the Master’s Degree in Innovation and Management for Culture and Creativity (IMaCC) and serves as the initial module in the Critical Management for Cultural Organisations track. It introduces students to the philosophical and theoretical foundations needed to critically analyse how cultural meaning, value, and legitimacy are constructed and contested within institutions and the broader public sphere. The course complements IMaCC’s interdisciplinary and strategic approach by equipping students with tools to reflect on the symbolic, ethical, and political aspects of cultural work. It emphasises the urban environment as a key location where culture is consumed, commodified, and circulated through branding, tourism, public events, or institutional programming. Students will learn to recognise how public and private organisations utilise cultural narratives within cities to generate economic, reputational, and symbolic value.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand and apply foundational concepts from cultural studies and philosophy to management contexts.
- Analyse how cultural value is produced, circulated, and legitimised in urban and institutional settings.
- Reflect critically on the commodification of culture in contemporary society, including branding, tourism, and creative industries.
- Recognize the symbolic and political roles of cultural organizations.
- Integrate theoretical frameworks into professional perspectives on cultural leadership and strategy.

There are no formal prerequisites. The course is designed for students from management and related disciplines. No prior background in cultural theory or philosophy is assumed. Students are expected to approach the material with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to engage with readings and dialogue.

The course is organised into thematic sessions that pair critical theory with applied analysis, particularly in relation to the urban environment as a central arena for cultural circulation, management, and commodification.
• Introduction to Cultural Studies and Philosophy
What is culture, and why does it matter for management? We explore the roots of critical and philosophical thinking around culture, setting up a vocabulary for analyzing culture as a system of meaning and power.
• Institutions and the Production of Cultural Legitimacy
Cultural institutions play a role in defining public value and identity. This session considers how legitimacy is constructed within urban spaces and the power institutions hold in shaping cultural memory and norms.
• The Culture Industry: Mass Production and Standardization
We examine how symbolic goods are standardized for mass appeal in consumer society, focusing on the role of urban entertainment, festivals, and cultural products as commodified experiences.
• The Urban Spectacle and Cultural Consumption
Cities become curated spaces for culture—through design weeks, art fairs, and public art campaigns. We explore how spectacle transforms culture into visual capital and contributes to urban branding.
• Branding and the Commodification of Culture
How do cultural organizations and governments use culture to craft identity and value? We analyze real cases of city branding and corporate use of symbolic resources in urban environments.
• Cultural Capital and Social Stratification
This session looks at how cultural tastes and access are tied to class and education, often reinforced by the spatial and symbolic hierarchies visible across cities.
• Creativity and Authenticity in Urban Cultural Economies
Urban creativity is frequently promoted as an economic driver. We critically assess the tension between authentic cultural expression and its instrumentalization for development and tourism.
• Philosophy of Value: Symbolic Goods and the Market
What gives symbolic goods their worth? We turn to philosophical and sociological frameworks to understand how cultural value is constructed and circulated, particularly in institutional and urban contexts.
• Popular, Elite, and Everyday Cultures
This session challenges cultural hierarchies by examining how institutions frame "high" and "low" culture. Urban subcultures and digital practices are explored as sites of resistance and innovation.
• Ethics and Philosophy in Cultural Management
We end with a reflection on the philosophical and ethical responsibilities of cultural leaders. How can managers foster inclusive, critically engaged institutions—especially in diverse urban publics?

Readings will include a selection of foundational and contemporary texts in:
Cultural theory and cultural studies
Social and political philosophy
Urban cultural economies and symbolic branding
Critical management and institutional critique
The reading list will consist of excerpts from major theorists, case studies, and accessible commentaries. All required texts will be made available via the course platform, with reading guides and optional supplementary resources provided to support comprehension.

Final written exam (100%) covering theoretical frameworks and applied analysis
Students receiving a grade of 27 or below will have that grade automatically recorded.
Students receiving a grade above 27 may opt for a short oral exam, which can confirm or adjust the final grade based on further discussion of the course material.

Participation in class discussions and preparation for readings is expected and will significantly influence students’ success on the final exam.

written and oral

Grades are assigned using the Italian 30-point system, with the following interpretative brackets:
(18–21): Sufficient grasp of basic concepts; minimal critical analysis
(22–25): Moderate understanding with some effort at synthesis; uneven expression
(26–28): Good critical engagement; coherent application of ideas
(29–30): Excellent analytical capacity; strong integration of theory and examples
(30 cum laude): Outstanding originality, depth of insight, and philosophical sophistication

This course is structured as a participation-intensive seminar, with minimal lecturing. Students are expected to read assigned materials before class and arrive prepared for active dialogue and critical discussion. Instructional formats include:
• Guided group discussions
• Critical reading exercises
• Urban case analyses
• Conceptual mapping and debate
• Occasional short framing lectures on key theoretical tools
The course values a collaborative and reflective learning environment, in which students are co-constructors of understanding, not passive recipients of content.

Language: British english
Materials: All readings, assignments, and resources will be distributed through the university's Moodle platform.
Support: Weekly office hours and reading support will be available for individual consultation (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ricevimento-office-hours-prof-fabrizio-panozzo-tickets-55149274966?aff=oddtdtcreator )
Relevance: Students are encouraged to bring examples from contemporary cultural institutions, urban branding strategies, or personal experience into class discussions to enrich collective reflection.