Educational goals

The LM-89 class, "Methods and Technologies for Art History", primarily aims to provide in-depth knowledge of historical and artistic assets in their various forms, in the context of Europe and covering the period from the early Middle Ages to the present day. To this end, the course features advanced subjects relating to the history of medieval, modern and contemporary art. These subjects are supplemented by targeted, in-depth studies with a diachronic focus on the history of artistic techniques, restoration theory and the evolution of classical artistic models. The course's specific aim is to foster knowledge and mastery of study and documentation methodologies in various art historical fields. Specific attention is paid to the methodology of the art-historical discipline in the strict sense, such as the history of styles, the identification of iconography, and the function and original provenance of artefacts. Attention is also paid to the different modes of investigation that enable the acquisition of information to improve our understanding of figurative phenomena in every era. The course provides students with the tools they need to engage in archival research and to make critical use of manuscript and printed sources, as well as digital resources related to cultural heritage. This key approach also provides valuable insights into the scientific and diagnostic technologies used to analyse works of art. This is a crucial area for understanding artefacts, how they are made and how they are conserved. These specialised learning modules are complemented by training designed to foster an understanding of broad cultural themes, which are essential for developing a mindful approach to figurative representations. To this end, the course provides an opportunity to explore the connections between artistic phenomena and other forms of intellectual expression and creativity, such as performance (including theatre, cinema, music and photography), across different historical periods. Similarly significant is the space that the course devotes to strategies for protecting and enhancing cultural heritage assets, with a particular focus on relevant legislation and the role of museums. This educational path course will therefore consist of the following learning areas: A) Art and historical research methodology B) Documentation sources for art history C) Technical and material analysis of artistic artefacts and scientific diagnostics D) Protection and enhancement of artistic and museum assets E) Relations between artistic tradition and cultural production F) Classical tradition and its legacy The peculiarities of these learning areas are analysed in detail in the following sections: "Knowledge and understanding" and "Ability to apply knowledge and understanding". The two-year course is designed so that the first year is primarily devoted to studying the subject areas that characterise the course itself, with a special emphasis on advanced art history courses and methodological training. The second year will primarily cover related and supplementary course subjects, as well as free-choice courses, to help students find subjects that align with their specific interests. This itinerary is designed to encourage the development of specific skills, and is complemented by the curricular traineeship and thesis paper. The Bachelor's degree also qualifies as an "LM PLUS" (PLUS Master's Degree), which will enable the most deserving students to benefit from an annual paid traineeship at institutions and professional organisations engaging in cultural heritage endeavours. The LM-89 class, "Methods and Technologies for Art History", primarily aims to provide in-depth knowledge of historical and artistic assets in their various forms, in the context of Europe and covering the period from the early Middle Ages to the present day. To this end, the course features advanced subjects relating to the history of medieval, modern and contemporary art. These subjects are supplemented by targeted, in-depth studies with a diachronic focus on the history of artistic techniques, restoration theory and the evolution of classical artistic models. The course's specific aim is to foster knowledge and mastery of study and documentation methodologies in various art historical fields. Specific attention is paid to the methodology of the art-historical discipline in the strict sense, such as the history of styles, the identification of iconography, and the function and original provenance of artefacts. Attention is also paid to the different modes of investigation that enable the acquisition of information to improve our understanding of figurative phenomena in every era. The course provides students with the tools they need to engage in archival research and to make critical use of manuscript and printed sources, as well as digital resources related to cultural heritage. This key approach also provides valuable insights into the scientific and diagnostic technologies used to analyse works of art. This is a crucial area for understanding artefacts, how they are made and how they are conserved. These specialised learning modules are complemented by training designed to foster an understanding of broad cultural themes, which are essential for developing a mindful approach to figurative representations. To this end, the course provides an opportunity to explore the connections between artistic phenomena and other forms of intellectual expression and creativity, such as performance (including theatre, cinema, music and photography), across different historical periods. Similarly significant is the space that the course devotes to strategies for protecting and enhancing cultural heritage assets, with a particular focus on relevant legislation and the role of museums. This educational path course will therefore consist of the following learning areas: Art and historical research methodology B) Documentation sources for art history Technical and material analysis of artistic artefacts and scientific diagnostics Protection and enhancement of artistic and museum assets Relations between artistic tradition and cultural production Classical tradition and its legacy The peculiarities of these learning areas are analysed in detail in the following sections: "Knowledge and understanding" and "Ability to apply knowledge and understanding". The two-year course is designed so that the first year is primarily devoted to studying the subject areas that characterise the course itself, with a special emphasis on advanced art history courses and methodological training. The second year will primarily cover related and supplementary course subjects, as well as free-choice courses, to help students find subjects that align with their specific interests. This itinerary is designed to encourage the development of specific skills, and is complemented by the curricular traineeship and thesis paper. The Bachelor's degree also qualifies as an "LM PLUS" (PLUS Master's Degree), which will enable the most deserving students to benefit from an annual paid traineeship at institutions and professional organisations engaging in cultural heritage endeavours. The educational programme is delivered through a blended learning experience based on a combination of online modules designed for asynchronous use, online interactive teaching sessions and classroom-based learning sessions. The online modules mostly cover the fundamentals of the relevant disciplines. This flexible formula is an excellent opportunity for students who are unable to attend in-person and wish to complete their education. A minimum of 30 CFUs will be acquired online over the entire two-year period. The course provides students with the opportunity to attain adequate written and oral language skills in a European language — preferably English, but German is also an option in the light of subject--related needs — and to develop a full command of the vocabulary of art history. By the end of the two-year Master's degree programme, graduates should have a solid understanding of the historical context of medieval, modern and contemporary art. They should also be familiar with the sources and methodologies related to these fields of study. Consequently, they should be able to analyse and critically evaluate artistic artefacts independently. Graduates will be familiar with the main tools for computerised data management, with a special focus on cataloguing and documenting cultural assets.

Career opportunities

Art Historian. With regard to the public administration, art historians can find employment with institutions engaging in the conservation of artistic and historical heritage, superintendent’s offices, museums, galleries, picture galleries, subject to obtaining a postgraduate diploma and/or PhD. In the private sector, they can find employment at publishing and auction houses, galleries, tourist agencies and companies or foundations responsible for preserving, cataloguing and studying works of art and artists' archives. Graduates may continue their studies at the third level of university education (Specialisation schools or Doctorate programmes or Master's degree). Under applicable legislation, graduates who have sufficient credits in the relevant subject groups will be eligible to take the secondary education teaching training admissions test. Art Expert. They work as freelance art critics, fine arts experts and art historians, specialising in the study, evaluation, communication and promotion of art events. Museum Curator and Conservator. Museum conservator, museum curator, museum director, gallerist at public and private institutions. Researchers and graduate technicians in antiquity, philology and literature, and historical and art sciences. Researchers: according to current legislation as applicable to the university landscape, only fixed-term researchers may be employed (subject to passing an assessment) under a six-year, non-extendable employment agreement. Researchers are also employed by research institutions, such as the National Scientific Research Council (C.N.R.), and companies that promote research activities to encourage innovation.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to the Master's degree course, students must hold a Bachelor's degree or a three-year university diploma, including those obtained under the regulations in force prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, as amended, or another qualification obtained abroad recognised by the relevant bodies of the University. Admission also requires compliance with the curricular requirements specified below and an adequate basic, methodological and historical background acquired in the previous course of studies in linguistics, literature, history of philosophy and art history. The procedures for establishing whether a student's background is adequate are set out in the course’s Teaching Regulations. To be admitted to the Master's degree course, students must hold a Bachelor's degree in one of the following classes, as pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/2004: L-1 Cultural Heritage L-3 Disciplines of Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts and Fashion L-10 Humanities DAPL10 (First Level Academic Diploma, Art Didactics, Equivalent Degree Class L-3), as pursuant to Ministerial Decree. 509/1999: 5 Humanities 13 Cultural Heritage Sciences 23 Science and technology in the Visual Arts, Music, Performing Arts and Fashion 41 Technologies for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage or degree under the previous university system (prior to Ministerial Decree 509/99) in: Disciplines of the arts, music and performing arts Literature History and conservation of cultural heritage Students who have obtained a Bachelor's degree in subjects other than those indicated must demonstrate an adequate level of general knowledge in the fields of history and literature, or history and art. This can be proven by meeting the following curricular requirements: a minimum of 36 CFUs accrued in the following SSDs. 24 CFUs: L-ART/01 (ART-01/A); L-ART/02 (ART-01/B); L-ART/03 (ART-01/C); L-ART/04 (ART-01/D); L-ANT/07 (ART-01/D); L-ANT/08 (ART-01/E); 12 CFUs: L-FIL-LET/10 (ITAL-01/A); L-FIL-LET/11 (LICO-01/A); L- ANT/02 (STAN-01/A); L-ANT/03 (STAN-01/B); M-STO/01 (HIST-01/A); M-STO/02 (HIST-02/A); M-STO/04 (HIST-03/A); M-STO/08 (HIST-04/C); M-STO/09 (HIST-04/D); L-ART/05 (PEMM-01/A); L- ART/06 (PEMM-01/B); L-ART/07 (PEMM-01/C); L-ANT/06 (ARCH-01/C); M-FIL/04 (PHIL-04/A); ICAR/18 (CEAR- 11/A); ICAR/19 (CEAR-11/B). In addition, a minimum of 3 foreign language CFUs obtained the following fields is required: L-LIN/04 (FRAN-01/B); L-LIN/12 (ANGL- 01/C); L-LIN/14 (GERM-01/C); L-LIN/07 (SPAN-01/C).