Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in RESEARCH, DOCUMENTATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL HERITAGE

This 2nd cycle (M.A.) degree programme is open to students with a basic training in the field of the knowledge, research and valorisation of the cultural heritage, with particular references – following an appropriate recommended study and learning plan – to archaeological disciplines, also supported by training in the field of historical, philological and literary, juridical, technical and scientific disciplines. The studies will aim mainly to acquire skills in the field of archaeological disciplines, specifically concerning pre-proto-historical, classical, late antique and medieval, and oriental archaeology. At the same time the degree programme aims to further develop research methods and procedures in the fields of ancient and medieval history, ancient and medieval languages, as well as technical, scientific and juridical areas.

Graduates of this degree programme will possess an in-depth knowledge of the cultural aspects of archaeology, which will allow them to apply appropriate methodological procedures in the fields of theoretical and applied research. The instruments they acquire will guarantee them a higher understanding of objects and contexts in various archaeological fields.
Archaeology is a continuously evolving science strongly marked by interdisciplinary exchanges. Graduates will therefore have the possibility to become familiar with all the various aspects of the discipline, in order to be able to intervene even in unusual problems and issues in a fully knowledgeable manner, including those deriving from complex situations marked by highly diversified and stratified cultures and chronologies.
The wide range of contents and methods learned will place graduates in a position to correctly identify their own needs for the development of knowledge and to relate their own actions to the needs of the society they operate in: in particular, in the delicate issue of the preservation of the cultural heritage and the transmission of these values to the coming generations. The seminar activities and opportunities for debate and contact with specialists working in the field of archaeological research will allow them to become accustomed to communicating what they have learned but also what they have personally developed in terms of ideas and specifically created projects and programmes, also implemented as a group.
The acquired ability to personally organise their own further study paths within the well-defined institutional framework and the possibility to pursue and perfect their own studies, having acquired the guidelines and mechanisms inherent in such a high level of learning, will allow graduates to pursue their studies to even higher levels: doctorates, 3rd cycle degrees, 2nd level Master degree programmes and other post-graduate training.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Graduates
- will have an in-depth knowledge of the interdisciplinary cultural issues of the field of knowledge and promotion of the cultural heritage, and will possess the indispensable skills required to manage the technical and scientific problems of the archaeological curator from different angles (solid understanding of diagnostics, for handling specialist interventions; knowledge in the field of museum arrangements for the set up of collections and exhibitions; skills in the classification and publication of materials; basic skills in the organisation of working groups and workshops);

- will possess in-depth knowledge of archaeological subjects, specifically concerning pre-proto-historical, classical, late antique and medieval, and oriental archaeology. Also in the methodologies and procedures relative to non intrusive archaeological surveying;

- will have an in-depth knowledge of the law and regulations for the archaeological heritage.

The knowledge and understanding are achieved through participation in lectures, suitably integrated with practical exercises and seminars, followed by personal reflection developed through guided self-study as defined in the different fields of learning. In particular, as far as the technical and scientific training of the curator of the archaeological heritage is concerned, such knowledge is acquired through the participation in laboratory work which sees the application of the skills acquired through experimental science applied to the specific field. The knowledge needed to organise working and study groups and the classification of materials is achieved through the participation in excavations and the related cataloguing works and the preliminary and final publication of the achieved results.

Assessment of the achievement of the learning outcomes shall be mainly implemented through the final examinations, but also through oral presentations in working groups relative to the excavation and laboratory activities. Written papers will also be produced as a result of these experiences.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
Graduates:
- will possess technical and scientific skills applied to the cultural heritage and functional to data collection: knowledge of analytical procedures and instruments, classification software, territorial GIS procedures;
- will be able to apply instruments and methodological procedures in the field of ancient and medieval history for contextualisation, analysis and investigation in order to define the relative space-time context of monuments, structures and objects;
- will be able to apply modern methodologies in the field of land surveying, the verification of the existence of ancient material documents using non-invasive instruments, the study of material documents of ancient civilisations, excavation techniques;
- will be able to design and implement archaeological projects also working in heterogeneous groups;
- will possess the basic knowledge to manage small businesses working in this sector and the direct knowledge of excavations and archaeological missions, also abroad;
- will understand the criteria and methods for the dissemination of experience and research works.
The achievement of the ability to apply this knowledge and understanding will be accomplished through the critical study of texts proposed for self-study, stimulated by classroom activities and discussions; the specific study of problems and case studies presented by the various professors; laboratory and/or computer work; the practical experiences gained through participation in excavations and relative collective debate and networking between research and learning. This is particularly the case of scientific disciplinary fields which involve specifically archaeological subjects, which are directly connected to professional training programmes run by institutions working in the field of research, protection and promotion of the heritage. Traineeships and the final examination will then conclude the learning process, allowing for the application of the acquired knowledge.
The tests – written and oral exams, reports on archaeological excavation experiences and/or laboratory work, the collective discussions in working groups – imply the execution of specific tasks which aim to demonstrate the student's command of tools, methods and critical autonomy. During the traineeship, students will be assessed through a report presented to the supervising professor.

JUDGEMENT SKILLS:
Graduates:
- will be able to consult sources and analyse documents with texts written in ancient and medieval languages which, according to the level of archaeological specialisation, may be classical or oriental languages;
- will be able to judge the importance and the impact of archaeological projects, relating them to the needs of the society in which they work;
- will be able to process specialist knowledge for the purposes of raising awareness of the issue of preservation of the cultural heritage.
Judgement skills are developed in particular through the participation in working groups in which each student is responsible for the management and presentation of the problems suggested by the professor, in particular in those working groups established for the critical examination (of both a traditionally archaeological nature, and using modern technical-scientific and computer technologies applied to archaeology) of archaeological contexts and/or sets of materials of various consistencies and types. As far as the joint historical and literary area is concerned, judgement skills are achieved through the participation in practical exercises and seminars, which aim to suitably develop personal critical skills, within the framework of a collective organisation of critical activities, guided by the professors. At the end of the courses and related activities, is the final examination based on a written dissertation which confirm the achievement of the skills acquired by the students in reaching an autonomous level of management in the development of work programmes and the management of archaeological assets, in the fields of research, protection and valorisation.
The acquisition of judgement skills is assessed through the evaluation of the learning activities followed during the study programme and the evaluation of the students' ability to work autonomously as well as in groups during the activities assigned in preparation of the final dissertation and the traineeship.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
Graduates:
- will be able to effectively communicate the contents of archaeological projects and/excavation missions also in a manner which can be appreciated by non-specialist recipients.
Written and oral communication skills are developed in particular during seminars, practical exercises, group work, participation in archaeological excavations, in particular concerning any archaeological missions abroad, which imply involvement in “other” realities which builds communication and language skills and practice with operators form other cultures. The acquisition of the above communication skills will also be assessed and evaluated through the production and presentation of the final dissertation, also using illustrative supports (tables, PowerPoint, maps, specific software), to be presented to the examination board. A specific course unit on management techniques for small businesses working in the field of the cultural/archaeological heritage provides specific training in this field of communication. One or more foreign languages will be learned through specific laboratory activities and direct experience, also through the production of documents which are useful for the management of research programmes the degree programme students are required to participate in.
The acquisition of the above communication skills will be mainly assessed through their use in group work and in the presentation of the exams and of the final dissertation.

LEARNING SKILLS:
Graduates:
- will be able to pursue and perfect their own studies, following the acquired guidelines and methodological tools;
- will be familiar with the main references for keeping abreast with laws and regulations in the field of the archaeological heritage.
Learning skills are acquired throughout the study period, particularly through the participation in research projects and/or projects for the valorisation of the archaeological heritage, and with self-study, the production of the final dissertation, through laboratory work which sees the application of experimental science to archaeology.
Learning skills are evaluated through forms of continuous assessment during the learning activities. A primary role in this is played by the tutoring activities delivered to the students throughout the degree programme, alongside the general teaching activities.