Educational goals

The three-year Bachelor's degree programme in Humanities has a methodological focus and is divided into four curricula: Ancient Humanities, Modern Humanities, Arts-Media-Performing Arts, and Historical Studies. The aim of this study course is to provide solid scientific training in the humanities relating to the ancient (Greco-Roman and Near Eastern), medieval, modern and contemporary worlds, from multiple discipline-related perspectives, including linguistics, philology and literature, history, geography, archaeology, art history, theatre, modern performing arts and new media. The disciplines can be related to nine learning areas: - General philological and literary education in classical antiquity with a view to providing comprehensive historical knowledge of linguistic phenomena and literary production peculiar to ancient classical civilisation. It requires full grammatical proficiency in Greek and Latin, and the ability to read and understand a wide range of Greek and Latin texts, as well as their historical and cultural context. - General philological and literary education in the medieval, modern and contemporary spheres with a view to providing a comprehensive historical knowledge of the linguistic aspects and literary production typical of the Western world during these periods. Full command of oral communication and writing in Italian is required, as well as an understanding of the various applications of information technology in the humanities. - Historical disciplines of the ancient Mediterranean world with a view to providing a foundation in the key factual, social and cultural aspects of the civilisations that developed around the Mediterranean Sea from the Bronze Age to Late Antiquity. This also requires minimal competence in the field of epigraphically documented languages in the ancient Near East. - Historical disciplines of the medieval, modern and contemporary world with a view to providing a foundation in the key factual, social and cultural aspects of European history, from the early Middle Ages to the contemporary age. The course involves acquiring the indispensable methodological tools for exploring and exploiting all available documentary sources. - Archaeology and history of Greek, Etruscan, Italic and Roman art with a view to gaining historical knowledge of the material culture of classical antiquity, with special reference to the documentation of figurative arts and architecture, in the context of a national heritage of particularly rich and meaningful archaeological assets. Guided tour teaching complements traditional classroom-based tuition. - Historical and artistic disciplines with a view to gaining historical knowledge of European figurative arts and architecture in the medieval, modern and contemporary age. To this end, traditional classroom-based tuition will, to the extent as viable, be supplemented with guided tours and educational trips. - Historical and performance-related disciplines, with a view to gaining knowledge of the performance-related aspects of European humanistic culture as expressed through theatre, cinema, radio and television, adopting an essentially historical and methodological approach. - Audiovisual and media disciplines with a view to gaining knowledge of the visual and media culture that informs contemporary artistic and cultural productions, both through the use of new languages and new technologies. - International context with a view to providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary global context. It aims to instil in them a fundamental grasp of the geographical framework of the world today, complemented by the development of proficient English language skills, which are recognised as a pivotal instrument for effective international communication This training will enable students to continue their studies in the humanities by attending a Master's degree course, or to pursue technical and organisational careers in the management and enhancement of cultural heritage, as well as in communication and content creation activities related to new media. In the first two years, the educational path includes a substantial common area that enables students to acquire an adequate mastery of the fundamental disciplines (Italian literature and linguistics, general linguistics and Latin language and literature) from a historical, literary and methodological perspective. At the same time, students acquire the essential credits required to teach humanities subjects in secondary schools. As early as in the second year and, to a greater extent, in the third year of the study course, the number of courses in the common training area will be reduced to ensure a greater diversity of course subjects. These consist of related and supplementary activities that align with the different training vocations of the four degree programmes. In particular, the Ancient Literature curriculum in the third year is designed for students who have already gained fundamental knowledge in classical philology, Greek and Latin literature and ancient history. It offers in-depth studies in classical philology, linguistics, Greco-Roman history, Oriental studies and archaeology. The Modern Literature curriculum, on the other hand, is designed for students who have already studied Romance philology, Italian literature and linguistics, as well as medieval, modern and contemporary history and art history. It offers in-depth studies of a philological and literary nature. The Art, Media and Performing Arts curriculum builds on the traditional training of the Bachelor's degree course, focusing on the philological, historical and historiographical study of artistic, theatrical and film-making heritage, as well as the study of the languages of the visual and performing arts, with special emphasis on digital humanities. Lastly, the Historical Studies curriculum will be divided into historical and methodological and archival and library pathways. It will combine in-depth study of the discipline with historical methodology, educating students in adopting the correct approach to sources and the evaluation of historical data and their historiographic interpretations. The training course has been designed to provide all the participants with a broad cultural foundation, gradually guiding them towards the discipline into which they wish to gain further insights. The study programme also includes special tutoring activities in the first year, which are designed to test, reinforce or address deficits in previous subject skills. The programme also covers basic computer skills and includes dedicated English language teaching (or, if already known, teaching of a second EU language). Teaching will be mainly delivered in the form of lectures, during which institutional and methodological topics will be covered. Students will use appropriate textbooks and up-to-date teaching tools. They will have access to a well-stocked unified humanities library equipped with numerous computer resources, as well as the archaeology museum and the modern auditorium. They can also participate in conferences, lectures, guided tours and study trips organised by lecturers, the Historical Colleges of Merit and the IUSS (Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori). Knowledge checks will be conducted in the form of oral and/or written tests to assess the skills acquired. Students will also be required to submit an individual written examination paper for the final examination, which will be guided and validated by a supervising lecturer. Lastly, students are encouraged to take the opportunity to spend periods of study abroad as part of international exchange programmes, such as Erasmus, the International Student Exchange Programme and Socrates.

Career opportunities

Library technicians. Employment in public and private libraries, cultural institutions and foundations, historical archives. Museum technicians. Employment in museums, archaeological parks, superintendent's offices, local authorities, foundations. Freelance work in cooperation with public or private organisations is also an option. Radio, film and theatre production organisation technicians. Employment opportunities in organisations and companies engaging in radio, television, film and theatre production. Organisers of cultural events. Work as an organiser of cultural events for local authorities, trade fairs, tourism promotion organisations, museums, art galleries, schools and universities.

Admission requirements

Students must hold an upper secondary school diploma or an equivalent academic qualification obtained abroad that has been recognised by the relevant University bodies in order to be admitted to the Bachelor's degree course in Humanities. In line with the level of competence expected at upper secondary school level, a good general education, as well as knowledge of, and aptitude for, literary, historical and linguistic subjects, is also required. Direct admission is not subject to special remedial activities. General basic knowledge of the Italian, Latin and Greek languages and literature (where applicable) is required, as is general basic knowledge of history (medieval, modern and contemporary). The adequacy of the background of the students enrolled in the first year, as well as any remedial activities and any gaps and educational deficits to be addressed (within the first year), will be assessed through specific and accurate initial, indicative and non-selective assessments. To this end, a series of structured tutorial activities have been planned, such as work in small groups and written and oral in-progress tests. The terms are set out in the Teaching Regulations for the Bachelor's degree programme.