Bachelor in Ancient Civilizations for the contemporary world

Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World (ACCW) is an inter-university Bachelor’s degree offered by the University of Milan and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, two centres of excellence in the field of cultural heritage. For the first time, these two institutions join their expertise and cultural background to launch a unique, prestigious and unprecedented university programme entirely taught in English.

The academic plan focuses on the study of ancient civilizations that developed in western and eastern Mediterranean areas as well as in western, southern and eastern Asia. The goal is to provide students with solid knowledge, critical awareness and open-mindedness with regard to the current international debate on the value and role of studying past civilizations as a key tool to build an inclusive society.

Educational activities are delivered in blended mode, according to an advanced model of inter-university degree programme based on the use of distance learning technologies. They are equally divided between the two locations and held in-person, as well as live-streamed, so that students can participate remotely from ad-hoc equipped classrooms, under the supervision of a tutor. This facilitates a dynamic integration between the two classes, located in Milan and Venice respectively.

The Bachelor’s degree in Ancient Civilizations for the Contemporary World (ACCW) not only provides solid training in archaeology, anthropology, philosophy, history of religions and literatures of the civilizations studied, but also offers a wide list of workshops on topics such as archaeological excavation and digital cultural communication. Another specific feature of the programme is that students are offered basic training in the languages of some of the ancient civilizations studied (ancient Greek, Latin and Sanskrit). This will help them navigate the study of cultural heritage more easily and with a higher level of cultural awareness. The academic plan includes two internships at companies and institutions operating in the leisure, cultural, tourism, education, publishing or research sectors. During the internships, students will have the opportunity to put into practice what they learnt during lectures in a real work environment, but also to optimally prepare themselves to become future professionals in the field of cultural heritage. Job opportunities may be found in the areas of cultural communication and dissemination, cultural services and consulting for the entertainment industry with a historical-cultural setting.

The University of Milan is a public teaching and research university, which - with 8 faculties and 2 schools and a teaching staff of more than 2000 professors - is distinguished by its wide variety of disciplinary fields. A leading institute in Italy and Europe for scientific productivity, the University of Milan is the largest university in the region, with approximately 64,000 students; it is also an important resource for the socio-economic context of which it is a part. Milan is, in fact, the capital of Lombardy, one of the most dynamic and international regions in the European Union, a leader in the national economy that stands at the Italian forefront of research and development investments and commitment to technological innovation.

The University of Milan also possesses a remarkable artistic and cultural heritage that includes important historic buildings, inherited and acquired collections, archives, botanical gardens and the old Brera Observatory commissioned by Maria Teresa of Austria. The University’s departments are housed in important historic edifices in the center of Milan and in modern buildings in the area known as Città Studi (the City of Studies). Among the palazzos that house the University’s facilities are the old Ca' Granda (the big house) – a monumental complex from the 15th-century in the heart of the historical city centre - the 18th-century Palazzo Greppi designed by Giuseppe Piermarini – who built the Scala Theatre in Milan – and the 17th-century Sant’Alessandro College commissioned by the Arcimboldi family. The book collection , which is one of the richest in the region, is preserved in 47 libraries, while the APICE Centre collects rare and valuable book stocks and archives. The University also has a Choir and its own Orchestra, which actively contributes to the cultural life of the city and receives international acknowledgments on an increasingly frequent basis.

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.