OVERVIEW

This course is designed to introduce students to the language and application of digital and IT tools for the conservation, enhancement, and dissemination of cultural heritage and related activities. The programme equips students with both cultural and technical skills for addressing the challenges of innovation and seizing the opportunities offered by information technology and digitalisation. It prepares graduates in the humanities to play an active role in shaping innovative cultural and creative organisations, within a context where digital transition can be considered a strategic lever for the advancement of humanistic knowledge.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course offers an overview of the main ICT languages and tools available to the humanist in the field of knowledge management and enhancement, oriented towards conservation, production and enjoyment in the fields of literature and art. The course aims to cover the basic concepts on systems and technologies of digital representation of content, the main productivity tools, the evolutionary scenarios and relevant case studies from real applications in artistic contexts and for cultural heritage.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is designed to provide humanities students with a shared conceptual framework and foundational skills for engaging with technological and digital innovation processes within cultural and creative disciplines. Its overarching aim is to contribute to the training of professionals capable of interacting effectively with technical specialists and experts in digital transition, and of participating in the development of innovative strategies within the knowledge sector. Teaching combines cross-disciplinary lectures on the digitalisation of cultural heritage with thematic in-depth sessions and case study analysis. A group or individual project work enables students to experiment with open-access digital tools and to apply theoretical concepts in practice.
The general purpose of the course is articulated into four key objectives, which students develop throughout the lectures and which are assessed through two examination components: an online test and a project work submission (described below).
First Objective: Acquisition of basic vocabulary and understanding of fundamental notions and concepts relating to information and digital technologies. The programme includes lectures on ICT languages and data representation for the humanities.
Second Objective: Ability to critically analyse complex scenarios concerning the digitalisation of cultural heritage and innovation in cultural organisations. This aspect is addressed through the study of specific topics and case studies where digital technologies serve the knowledge production and transfer. 
Achievement of the first two objectives will be assessed through the online test.
Third Objective: Development of design skills for creating innovative digital solutions tailored to the cultural and creative sector. This competence will be fostered through the project work, employing open-access tools and visual design methodologies such as the Business Model Canvas and the Mission Model Canvas.
Fourth Objective: Enhancement of soft skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, and project management. The coherence and feasibility of the project work, together with the students’ ability to apply theoretical concepts to the design process, will serve to assess the achievement of these additional objectives.

Expected Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand basic computing vocabulary;
• Critically analyse complex scenarios concerning the challenges and opportunities of digital innovation for cultural heritage;
• Acquire key skills to develop innovative projects for the enhancement, preservation, and accessibility of cultural heritage.

PREREQUISITES

This course does not require advanced technical skills; however, a basic familiarity with common digital tools and social media, as well as an understanding of cultural and humanistic contexts, is recommended. Students should demonstrate curiosity about digital technologies and an interest in innovation dynamics within the cultural sector. The ability to work collaboratively and to approach complex problems with critical thinking will be considered an asset. No programming skills are required.

TEACHING METHODS

Classes will be held in person and organised into thematic sections, each comprising:

• Theoretical component, introducing key concepts and analysing case studies.
• Practical component, consisting of a project work to be carried out in small groups (or, in exceptional cases, individually). The project requires the design of a digital innovation solution applied to a specific cultural heritage asset, agreed upon with the teacher, in line with the different workload requirements for students following the two tracks (6 ECTS and 9 ECTS).

Guidelines for Students with Special Needs

Students with special educational needs and working students are strongly encouraged to contact the teacher at the start of the course, to agree on personalised arrangements for learning and assessment. Accessible tools and resources, tailored to specific requirements, will be detailed on the Aulaweb platform.

Guidelines for Attending and Non-Attending Students

Both attending and non-attending students will follow the same programme for the theoretical and practical components.

• Theoretical component: Attending students will benefit from direct support from the teacher during lectures and will have access to supplementary materials available on the Aulaweb platform (slides, self-assessment questions, bibliography, and multimedia resources for further study). Non-attending students will have access exclusively to the course materials published on Aulaweb.
• Practical component: Attending students will receive guidance from the teacher during class hours dedicated to practical activities. Non-attending students will have access exclusively to the course materials published on Aulaweb; upon request, it will be possible to arrange a Q&A session.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is structured into 10 sections, combining theoretical foundations, case study analysis, and practical activities.

• Programme for students completing 6 ECTS credits: Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10
• Programme for students completing 9 ECTS credits: Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

Overview of topics covered (with indication of sections for students enrolled in the 6 ECTS and 9 ECTS tracks):

1. ICT tools for Cultural heritage and Cultural activities (6 ECTS – 9 ECTS)
2. Digital transformation of cultural and creative organisations (6 ECTS – 9 ECTS)
3. Processes and technologies for acquiring and producing digital cultural heritage (6 ECTS – 9 ECTS)
4. Strategies for data preservation and life-cycle management in the humanities (6 ECTS – 9 ECTS)
5. Digital accessibility of cultural heritage (6 ECTS – 9 ECTS)
6. Languages, storytelling, and innovative tools for communicating humanistic culture (9 ECTS)
7. Immersive experiences: connecting territory with tangible and intangible heritage (9 ECTS)
8. Innovative approaches and ethical responsibilities in value creation for cultural heritage (9 ECTS)
9. Digital security management for cultural heritage (9 ECTS)
10. The practical contribution of emerging Humanists: from project design to implementation. Seminar and Project Work Discussion (6 ECTS – 9 ECTS)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Lazzari, M. (2021). Informatica umanistica (3ª ed.). McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 9788838697135.
2. Brivio, F. (2009). L’umanista informatico: XML, HTML, CSS, SQL, Web, Internet, database, programmazione e Google per le scienze umane. Milano: Apogeo. ISBN: 9788850328475.
   (Note: The e-book version can be downloaded free of charge from the publisher’s website).

Additional materials will be made available on the Aulaweb platform.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MONICA BRUZZONE (President)

RENATA DAMERI

ANDREA PAOLINI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons will start on February 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examconsists of two components, both mandatory for all students, whether attending or non-attending (specific organisational details are provided below):

1. Online Test
2. Project Work Submission

Note: Students with special educational needs are encouraged to contact the instructor at the beginning of the course to agree on personalised examination arrangements.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. Online test. It assesses the level of understanding of the theoretical contents and it is administered via the Aulaweb platform.

• For students enrolled in the 6 ECTS track: the test will cover Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
• For students enrolled in the 9 ECTS track: the test will cover Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

1. Project Work Submission. It involves the development of a digital innovation project applied to a specific cultural heritage asset, agreed upon with the teacher.

Attending students:

Students will develop the project during the semester and present their results in the concluding seminar (Section 10). They may further refine the work for submission at the examination session.

Non-attending students:

Students will agree on the project topic with the instructor, present and discuss their work during the oral examination, and submit all materials in digital format no later than five days before the scheduled exam date.

Guidelines and templates for both attending and non-attending students will be provided on the Aulaweb platform.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further details, useful links, and organisational announcements will be provided on the Aulaweb platform. Students are encouraged to participate actively in discussions and to take advantage of the networking opportunities offered by the course.