The University for Foreigners in Perugia, founded in 1921, is the oldest and most prestigious Institution in the field of research and teaching of the Italian language and culture to foreigners and into the spreading of Italian culture and civilization in the world. Belonging to the University are the Faculty of Italian Language and Culture and the special research centres WARREDOC (Water Resources Research and Documentation Centre) and CEDUIC (Central Italy Data Elaboration Centre). The Department of Science of Language and the Department of Comparative Cultures have been established recently. Faculty of Italian Language and Culture For foreign citizens and Italians living abroad the Faculty of Italian Language and Culture of the University for Foreigners in Perugia organizes: Basic and Special Courses of Italian Language and Culture Postgraduate and Refresher Courses Basic Courses are arranged in five levels, advancing progressively from the study of the Italian language to the study of Italian culture and civilization. The Special Courses are intended to meet the different requirements of linguistic and cultural learning demanded by a more heterogeneous public; there are one month/two-month courses, and intensive courses which last a month (offered from July through September). The Postgraduate and Refresher Courses are divided into: – Advanced and Refresher Courses for Teachers of Italian Abroad – Advanced Courses in Humanities: • Contemporary Italian Language • History of Art • Etruscan Studies and Italic Studies UNIVERSITY DEGREE COURSES The academic year 2001/2002 was vital for the Italian academic world as it saw the introduction of a reform that provided a substantial contribution to the harmonization of the Italian University system with that of other European countries. The most important innovations introduced by this reform are the adoption of the “3+2” system and the University Credit Formations (CFU). The reform includes two degree levels, first level (a three year degree) and second level (two more years). In this new layout our Athenaeum offers to Italian and foreign students 5 first level degree courses, 4 second level degree courses and Master’s Courses. Open to Italian and foreign citizens the degree courses – first and second level – focus on the following: 1) Italian language and culture as an L2; 2) Promotion of Italian language and culture 3) International communication; 4) Advertising. • Degree in Teaching of the Italian Language and Culture to Foreigners (ILIS – 1st level) This degree course is the answer to the increasing demand for teachers of Italian as a Foreign Language in Italy– due to the constant flux of immigrants which is making our country ever more multi-cultural – and abroad, where the teaching of the Italian language and the idea of ‘made in Italy’ is greatly increasing. • Specialization Degree in Italian Culture and Language in Situations of Contact (LISCON – 2nd level) This course is the natural continuation of the three year degree course in the Teaching of Italian Language and Culture to Foreigners. The main aim of the course is to concentrate on the problems that emerge in situations of contact between different languages and cultures and to provide tools and methods, including computer programmes, for theoretical and applied research in linguistics. • Degree for the Promotion of the Italian Language and Culture in the world (PLIM – 1st level) This degree course is the answer to the demand for professionals with a grounding in social, economic and legal sciences and a knowledge of intercultural socio-dynamics which will enable them to work in the fields of promotion and development. • Specialization Degree in Italian for Cultural and Enterprise Intermediation (ItICI – 2nd level) The main aim of this course is to promote Italy’s image worldwide by providing and consolidating professional skills in the fields of overseas business and international firms in industry manufacturing and trade – in particular regarding the Far East. Thus one of the main aims in the training is to build on the students’ knowledge of other cultures and languages and consolidate their knowledge of Chinese or Japanese along with the studies of the socio-economic and cultural background of the language they are studying. • Degree in Advertising Techniques (TEP – 1st level) This 1st level Degree in Advertising Techniques is specific to those wishing to work in the complex work market of Communications and Publicity. It provides students with a cultural background and knowledge of languages and the business world which are necessary to work in Publicity as a copywriter or art-director or to manage investments in publicity as a media-planner and accountant. • Specialization Degree in Publicity Communication and Strategic Design (2nd level) The Specialization Degree in Publicity Communication and Strategic Design provides training for high responsibilities in organization and management: – in Communications management – in defining Corporate Image – in internal and external communications for companies It is the ideal continuation to the three-year degree course in Advertising Techniques. • Degree in International Communication (COMINT – 1st level) The 1st level Degree in International Communication is the answer to the recent demand for professionals with a specific background in foreign languages and techniques for working in International environments of communication. The University for Foreigners in Perugia is the ideal place for a similar course and can count on its age-old experience in multi-cultural language teaching. • Specialization Degree in Communication Systems and International Relations (2nd level) The Specialization Degree in Communication Systems in International Relations will enable degree students to find positions of responsibility in professional working environments such as the diplomatic corps and organizations in the Public and Private sectors, International and National companies and associations, in particular those dealing in Communications. This course is the ideal continuation of the three-year degree course in International Communication. MASTER COURSES • One year Master’s Course in Teaching of Italian as a foreign language: this is a field in constant development in Italy and abroad. The University for Foreigners responds to this need by offering a post-graduate one-year Master’s course whose objectives are: to provide advanced instruction for Italian and foreign graduates already involved in teaching Italian as a foreign/second language; to bring all teachers to an awareness of themes such as interculturalism and learning/teaching Italian as a non-native language, offering them theoretical and practical skills. The Master’s course combines different teaching modes including electronic distance learning and traditional class lessons. • The one year Master’s Course in Radio Hosting aims to train the figure working as “speaker-entertainer” for programmes in local, national and foreign radio stations as well as preparation for operating in television programmes. • One Year Master in Internationalization of and Communication in the Production Process is designed for Italian and foreign students coming from countries in the Mediterranean area. Its objective is to offer students an interdisciplinary training in the sectors of economics, sociology and communication. Professional openings are found in: business consultancy, in the fields of export management, international finance, marketing and joint-ventures. The University, within the ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) framework also issues the Certificate of Knowledge of the Italian Language (CELI levels 1,2,3,4,5) and the Certificate of knowledge of Italian for business (CIC intermediate – advanced) based on an examination at international level to test a student’s knowledge of Italian as a foreign language and of Italian for business.