Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World

Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World
Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World
Course sheet
A.Y. 2025/2026
Bachelor
interateneo Università Ca' Foscari Venezia
L-1 - Cultural heritage
Bachelor
180
ECTS
Access
Limited enrolment with admission test
3
Years
Course location
Milan, Venice
Language
English

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The Bachelor’s programme ACCW,  jointly hosted by University of Milan La Statale and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, addresses the current, multi-disciplinary and international debate on the relevance of studying Ancient CIvilizatons for critically assessing the complexities of today's world. 

The Bachelor's programme in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World is a three-year programme, taught in English and jointly hosted by two Universities: University of Milan La Statale (the Department of Cultural Heritage and Environment as well as the Department of Literary Studies, Philology and Linguistics are involved) and University of Venice Ca' Foscari (Department of Asian and North African Studies, Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage, Department of Humanities)
The programme aims to provide a basic, solid knowledge and training in the management and promotion of the tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage of several civilizations of the past, which flourished in Europe, north Africa, Eastern and Western Asia.
The programme covers four intertwined areas: 1. Tangible Cultural Heritage: history and interpretation; 2. Tangible Cultural Heritage: discovering, cataloguing, preserving and archiving; 3. Intangible Cultural Heritage: history, anthropology, philosophy, history of religions, law; 4. Intangible Cultural Heritage: languages and literatures.
The programme adopts an interdisciplinary approach, designed to explore the multi-faceted variety of ancient civilizations, with an emphasis on cultural intersections, contacts and tensions. This comparative approach will enable students to acquire basic know-how, breadth of vision and critical awareness, so as to address the current international debate on the relevance of studying ancient civilizations and its value for critically assessing the complexities of today's world.
Students can benefit from a wide range of expertise, research and teaching within both Universities, which are located in two exceptionally stimulating cities such as Milan and Venice. With their unique combination of tradition and innovation, past and present, ancient and modern, the two cities represent an ideal framework for studying Cultural Heritage and an exceptionally rich added value in terms of pedagogic experience
The Bachelor's programme prepares graduates to find employment as Cultural Operator in charge of multifarious services such as: Responsible for the management and/or implementation of reception services at archaeological sites, museums, exhibitions, cultural associations, foundations, or similar bodies and institutions; Collaborator in the cataloging of cultural heritage in foundations, cultural associations, auction houses, or similar bodies and institutions; Assistant Curator to organize exhibitions and cultural events; Excavation Technician, Excavation Assistant and similar; Technician of museums and similar.
A curricular internship involving a specific initial training may result in further jobs such as: Collaborator of cultural volunteering networks; Art Handler in charge of Fine Arts custom operations; Fine Art Specialist in a logistics company. Furthemore, graduates will be able to find employment as Cultural Communicator and Popularizer or Consultant for the entertainment industry with a historical-cultural setting.
Finally, subject to further qualifying post-graduate training, graduate will be able to find employment as tourist guides.
The Bachelor's programme in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World strongly supports international mobility by providing students with the opportunity to spend study and internship periods abroad.
University of Milan supports international mobility through the International Agreements and Projects Office for teaching and training and of the International Mobility and International Promotion Office.
https://www.unimi.it/it/internazionale/studiare-allestero/partire-con-erasmus

The agreements entered into by the University with over 300 universities from the 27 EU member countries under the European Erasmus+ programme allow regularly enrolled students to carry out part of their studies at one of the partner universities or to undertake internships at companies, training and research centres or other organizations.
Similar international mobility opportunities are provided outside the EU through specific agreements with a number of prestigious institutions.
Students will also have access to an extensive catalogue of online courses offered by partner universities of the 4EU+ alliance of which University of Milan is a member.
https://www.unimi.it/it/internazionale/la-statale-nel-mondo/la-statale-partecipa-4eu/mobilita-e-nuovi-percorsi-formativi-4eu/4eu-gli-studenti-delluniversita-statale-di-milano
Course attendance is highly recommended. Attendance of Workshops and Internships is compulsory.
Enrolment
In order to be admitted to the Bachelor's programme in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World, prospective students must hold an upper secondary school diploma or equivalent qualification obtained abroad after at least 12 years of schooling. More generally, an adequate educational background is required to understand the historical, cultural and methodological framework of the programme's subjects. Comprehension skills of a non-specialist literary text (in English) is also required. A special syllabus clearly indicates a few bibliographical items that provide all relevant information to pass the admission test.
A sound knowledge of English (level B2 of the European reference framework) is also required to make the best of the programme.
Pursuant to Art. 2 of Italian Law 264/1999, the enrolment in the Bachelor's programme has a cap on student numbers. This is to ensure the feasibility of compulsory internships in organizations and companies (as required by the programme and its learning objectives) and the availability of computer workstations with suitable classroom assistance (as required by the blended teaching and learning of programme: see below).
The maximum number of students is set at 100 included a number of spots (max 25) that will be reserved for non-EU candidates residing abroad. Based on available resources, the relevant Academic bodies will determine the number of students that can enroll annually.
The admission test assesses the basic knowledge and skills required to enroll in the programme namely a general understanding of historical, cultural and methodological facts as well as a basic comprehension of a literary text (in English).
Candidates should correctly answer at least 50% of the questions in each of the two areas (namely, general knowledge and reading comprehension).

OFA (Obblighi formativi aggiuntivi) are defined as further requirements for all students who fail to meet the 50% threshold in either (or both) of the two sections (general knowledge and reading comprehension) of the admission test. Students falling short of the threshold may be admitted at discretion but must undergo a specific training designed to address their areas of weakness. Within the first year of enrolment, they will be given the opportunity to sit the test again. Second-year exams will only be available to students who have passed the test. Further information is found at https://ancient-civilization.cdl.unimi.it.

The selection takes place in two sessions that will be held in May and in July 2024. Each selection contributes to the coverage of a quota of the total available places and has its own deadlines and requirements. For each of the two sessions, candidates must comply with all the procedures and deadlines set out below.

EU candidates:
The following requirements apply:
May session: both candidates who will obtain their high-school diploma in Italy or abroad (or equivalent qualification) within the 2024/2025 school year, and candidates already in possession of it can apply.
July session: applicants must hold their high-school diploma (or equivalent qualification), or be able to demonstrate its possession by the time of enrolling.

Non-EU candidates applying for a student visa:
May session: applicants must be enrolled in the final year of a secondary school, and obtain their qualification within the 2024/2025 school year.
Important. In this session 25 spots are reserved for NON-EU applicants (i.e. in need of a student visa): in order to benefit from the protected list it is mandatory to sit the test in this session. NON-EU applicants will be all ranked in a dedicated list. Those who will remain excluded and other NON-EU prospective applicants are invited to check the programme?s website to see whether any spots have remained vacant after the first admission session.
July session: applicants must already hold their secondary school qualification or be able to demonstrate its possession by the time of enrolling. NON-EU applicants (i.e. in need of a visa) are welcome to apply if available spots have been announced as per the previous point.


English OFA
To be able to sit the exams included in the degree programme, students must be proficient in English at a B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This proficiency level may be certified as follows:

- By submitting a language certificate attesting B2 or higher level in English and issued no more than three years before the date of submission. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322). The certificate must be uploaded during the enrolment procedure, or subsequently to the portal https://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue;

- By submitting a secondary school diploma with English as teaching Language. The diploma must be uploaded during the enrolment procedure in the Language Certificate section, or subsequently to the portal https://studente.unimi.it/uploadCertificazioniLingue;

- By taking a placement test offered by the University Language Centre (SLAM) during year I only, in October. Students who fail the test will be required to take a SLAM course. The Placement Test is mandatory for all students who do not hold a valid certificate, or a secondary school diploma with English as teaching language. Students who do not sit the Placement Test by October or who fail to pass the SLAM end-of-course test within six attempts, must obtain a paid certificate to be able to register for and sit any exam included in the degree programme.

Places available: 75 + 25 reserved for non-EU citizens

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Session: 1

Application for admission: from 13/03/2025 to 30/04/2025

Application for matriculation: from 21/05/2025 to 03/06/2025

Read the Call

Session: 2

Application for admission: from 13/06/2025 to 03/07/2025

Application for matriculation: from 23/07/2025 to 06/08/2025

Read the Call

Programme description and courses list
Compulsory
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Archaeology of Western Asia: Ancient Civilizations of Mesopotamia 12 80 English year L-OR/05
Greek and Roman History 12 80 English year L-ANT/02 L-ANT/03
Intellectual History of the Ancient Near East: the Origin 6 40 English First semester L-OR/01
Introduction to Pharaonic Egypt: Mind and Memory of an Ancient Civilization 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/02
Public and Community Archaeology and Digital Cultural 12 80 English year L-ANT/10
The Bhagavad Gita: the Gospel of India 6 40 English First semester L-OR/17
Optional activities and study plan rules
- 1° COURSE YEAR: Students must obtain 6 CFU in one of the following subject
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Archaeology of the Silk Road 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/16
Classical Mythology and Its Media 6 40 English First semester M-STO/06
Classical Wisdom in Arabic Garb 6 40 English First semester L-OR/12
Elements of Christian Culture 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/06
History of Classical Tradition in European Art 6 40 English First semester L-ART/04
History of Pre-Modern Science and Technology 6 40 English Second semester M-STO/05
Interculturality and Exchange in Medieval Latin Literature 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/08
Introduction to Byzantine Civilization 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/07
Introduction to Chinese Thought 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/21
Introduction to Japanese Culture and Literature 6 40 English First semester L-OR/22
Origins of Western Philosophy 6 40 English First semester M-FIL/06
Prehistory of Th Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean 6 40 English Second semester L-ANT/01
The Jews: History, Culture and Religion 6 40 English First semester M-STO/06
be activated by the A.Y. 2026/2027
Compulsory
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Cultural Anthropology:material Approaches in Post-Colonial 9 60 English Second semester M-DEA/01
European and Mediterranean Archaeology, from Prehistory to Late Antiquity A 12 80 English year L-ANT/01 L-ANT/06 L-ANT/07
Introduction to Greek Literature 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/02
Introduction to Latin Literature 6 40 English First semester L-FIL-LET/04
Teaching Workshop: Theories, Techniques, Tools for Cultural Communication 3 20 English First semester
Optional activities and study plan rules
- 2° COURSE YEAR: Students must obtain 12 CFU (6+6) in one of the following subject (if not already taken)
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Archaeology of the Silk Road 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/16
Classical Mythology and Its Media 6 40 English First semester M-STO/06
Classical Wisdom in Arabic Garb 6 40 English First semester L-OR/12
Elements of Christian Culture 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/06
History of Classical Tradition in European Art 6 40 English First semester L-ART/04
History of Pre-Modern Science and Technology 6 40 English Second semester M-STO/05
Interculturality and Exchange in Medieval Latin Literature 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/08
Introduction to Byzantine Civilization 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/07
Introduction to Chinese Thought 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/21
Introduction to Japanese Culture and Literature 6 40 English First semester L-OR/22
Introduction to Sanskrit Culture and Literature 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/18
Origins of Western Philosophy 6 40 English First semester M-FIL/06
Prehistory of Th Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean 6 40 English Second semester L-ANT/01
The Jews: History, Culture and Religion 6 40 English First semester M-STO/06
- Starting from the second year, students must obtain 6 ECTS from compulsory Internships. 6 Additional ECTS must be obtained from two Training Workshops (3 ECTS each) or from 1 Training Workshop (3 ECTS) and an exam in Additional
Language Skills (3 ECTS, see below Further elective courses).
Information is available at https://ancient-civilization.cdl.unimi.it
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
Compulsory
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Art and Law 6 40 English Second semester IUS/10
Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology in Th Mediterranean World 6 40 English First semester L-ART/05
History of Chinese and Japanese Art 12 80 English First semester L-OR/20
History of Indian Art 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/16
Introduction to Italian Literature 6 40 English First semester L-FIL-LET/10
Final Exam 6 0 English Open sessions
Optional activities and study plan rules
- 3° COURSE YEAR: Students must obtain 6 CFU in one of the following subject (if not already taken)
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Archaeology of the Silk Road 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/16
Classical Mythology and Its Media 6 40 English First semester M-STO/06
Classical Wisdom in Arabic Garb 6 40 English First semester L-OR/12
Elements of Christian Culture 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/06
History of Classical Tradition in European Art 6 40 English First semester L-ART/04
History of Pre-Modern Science and Technology 6 40 English Second semester M-STO/05
Interculturality and Exchange in Medieval Latin Literature 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/08
Introduction to Byzantine Civilization 6 40 English Second semester L-FIL-LET/07
Introduction to Chinese Thought 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/21
Introduction to Japanese Culture and Literature 6 40 English First semester L-OR/22
Introduction to Sanskrit Culture and Literature 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/18
Origins of Western Philosophy 6 40 English First semester M-FIL/06
Phoenician and Punic Archaeology 6 40 English Second semester L-OR/06
Prehistory of Th Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean 6 40 English Second semester L-ANT/01
The Jews: History, Culture and Religion 6 40 English First semester M-STO/06
Optional activities and study plan rules
- Students can earn 12 credits for elective activities to be chosen among those offered by this degree programme or by other degree programmes of both Universities. If a student decides to earn elective credits, partly or in full, through courses taught in a foreign language, such language cannot be the same as the student's own mother tongue. Students have to comply with all other obligations provided for by the academic rules of the degree programme, as laid down in art. 3.
- In the context of the Bachelor's programme in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World, all students can obtain 3 ECTS by taking an exam in Additional Language Skills. Students must obtain these ECTS in a language other than their
own. Students without an Italian degree or diploma are recommended to obtain 3 ECTS by reaching proficiency in the Italian language at level A2 within the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level can be assessed by the end of the degree course in one of the following ways:

- by submitting the language certificate achieved no more than three years prior to the submission, at level A2 or higher (for
a list of recognized language certificates: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349/).
The language certificate must be uploaded here https://informastudenti.unimi.it/saw/ess?AUTH=SAML (by choosing the category SLAM);

- through a language test organized by SLAM, which can be taken at the beginning of every semester.

Students who fail to reach level A2 will have to attend a 60-hour Italian course organized by SLAM and to pass the final test during the I semester of the second year, in order to earn 3 ECTS credits of Additonal Language Skills: Italian.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions
Latin and Greek Language: To enrol in the exams of 'Introduction to Latin Literature' and 'Introduction to Greek Literature'
students will first need to pass a Latin / Greek language test (Basic Level). Those who have no previous knowledge of Latin
and/ or Greek (e.g. from their school curriculum), are strongly encouraged to attend the workshop Training Latin Language
(Basic Level) which is taught in the first year of the programme and / or the workshop Training Greek Language (Basic
Level)which is taught in the second year (for details see https://ancient-civilization.cdl.unimi.it)
Learn more
Location
Milan, Venice
Academic guidance tutor
Tribulato Olga
Erasmus and international mobility tutor 
Study plan tutor
Internship tutor
Maiocchi Massimo
Contacts

The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:

  • The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
  • The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year) 
  • An additional fee is due for online programmes

The University also offers:

  • Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
  • Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
  • Concessions for international students with refugee status

Scholarships and benefits

The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).

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