ENGLISH FOR THE ARTS

The course aims to develop English-language and communication skills applied to the study, interpretation and enhancement of artistic and cultural heritage. It provides students with the linguistic and communication tools required to operate in international academic and professional contexts related to the arts and cultural heritage. Particular attention will be devoted to the acquisition of specialised terminology, the interpretation and analysis of works of art, and the ability to communicate art-historical content through different formats and registers, taking into account target audiences and contexts of use.
Through analysis, production and presentation activities in English, the course also contributes to the development of transferable skills relevant to museum communication and the promotion and enhancement of artistic and cultural heritage.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• understand and appropriately use specialised English terminology relating to art, cultural institutions and the enhancement of artistic heritage;
• describe, analyse and interpret works of art in English, applying the terminology and methodological tools introduced during the course;
• communicate art-historical content clearly and effectively, adapting it to different audiences, contexts and formats;
• independently present and discuss their work in English, making informed use of digital resources and generative artificial intelligence tools to support text production and revision.

Students are required to have at least a B2 level of English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The course therefore presupposes the ability to understand moderately complex written and spoken texts and to interact in English. No systematic review of general English grammar will be provided.

The course is organised into four thematic units.
• Module 1. English for the Arts and Cultural Heritage: Specialised Language: Introduction to the specialised language of art and cultural heritage. Students will develop the vocabulary required to describe works of art, collections and cultural venues such as museums, galleries, archives, cultural sites and exhibition spaces. Particular attention will also be devoted to terminology relating to different types of cultural institutions, museum and exhibition spaces, and the main activities associated with the presentation, use, communication and enhancement of cultural heritage.
• Module 2. Analysing and Interpreting Art: Introduction to the description, analysis and interpretation of works of art in English. Students will explore the vocabulary and linguistic structures needed to describe the elements that make up a work of art, together with different possible approaches to its analysis. Activities will aim to develop the ability to produce coherent, well-supported and personal analyses in English.
• Module 3. Communicating Art and Cultural Heritage: This module examines the ways in which works of art, collections, exhibitions and museum itineraries are communicated to different audiences. A range of formats and genres used in cultural communication will be analysed, including museum and exhibition texts, brochures, pamphlets, audio guides and infographics.
Particular attention will also be paid to the relationship between target audience, communicative purpose, register, information selection and degree of linguistic specialisation. Through practical activities, students will reflect on the strategies required to make art-historical content clear, accessible and engaging for different audiences.
• Module 4. Presenting Art: Project-Work Workshop: A workshop designed to prepare students for the project work to be presented as part of the final assessment. Topics will include the organisation and structure of an effective presentation, the selection and prioritisation of information, strategies for effective oral presentation in English, and the critical and informed use of generative artificial intelligence tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) to support language revision and presentation preparation. Peer-feedback activities and collaborative discussion will also be included.

Class activities will involve reading, analysis, discussion, and oral and written production in English.

Course materials will be made available by the instructor on the course Moodle page.

The examination consists of an individual project work designed to assess, in an integrated manner, the linguistic, analytical and communication skills developed during the course. Each student will prepare a presentation in English, in PDF or PowerPoint format, focusing on a work of art of their choice.
The presentation must apply the methodological and communication tools introduced during the course. It should provide a description and analysis of the selected work using appropriate specialised terminology and develop a coherent and well-supported interpretation. It should also demonstrate awareness of the strategies through which art-historical content can be communicated effectively to a specific target audience.
The presentation must consist of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 slides and will be delivered orally in English during the examination. Students are responsible for bringing the presentation file with them on the day of the examination; no prior submission to the instructor is required.
Where deemed necessary by the instructor, the presentation will be followed by a short discussion during which students may be asked to further explain or justify their analytical choices.

Assessment will take the following aspects into account:
• linguistic and terminological competence: grammatical accuracy, lexical appropriateness and appropriate use of specialised terminology;
• analytical and critical competence: ability to describe, analyse and interpret the selected work in a relevant and sufficiently detailed manner;
• application of course content: ability to make effective use of the methodological, linguistic and communication tools introduced during the course;
• argumentation skills: logical organisation, coherence and clarity of presentation, together with the ability to support and justify interpretations;
• communicative effectiveness: ability to organise and present content in relation to the chosen purpose, audience and format;
• quality of oral presentation: clarity, fluency, linguistic appropriateness and ability to interact during any subsequent discussion.

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The final grade will be determined according to the following criteria:
• knowledge and applied understanding of the course content, specialised terminology and methodological tools covered during the course: up to 10 points;
• ability to analyse, interpret and independently rework content, including the effectiveness of the strategies adopted to communicate art-historical material to different audiences and in different contexts: up to 10 points;
• appropriate use of English and communication skills, with particular reference to linguistic and terminological accuracy, clarity of presentation, and the ability to present and discuss one’s work independently and in a well-structured manner: up to 10 points.

Honours ("lode") may be awarded for work of particularly high quality from a linguistic, analytical and communicative perspective, characterised by a high degree of critical independence and originality.

The course adopts an applied language-learning approach, combining theoretical input with individual and collaborative practical activities.
The following teaching methods will be used:
• interactive lectures: introduction to key terminology, concepts, and linguistic and communication tools, accompanied by guided discussion in English;
• case-study analysis: examination of works of art and authentic examples of museum and cultural communication from international contexts;
• language activities: description, analysis, reformulation and production of short specialised texts;
• oral production and interaction activities: description and discussion of works of art, short presentations and activities aimed at developing the ability to construct arguments in English;
• collaborative activities and peer feedback: discussion of the analytical, linguistic and communication strategies adopted by students;
• use of digital and multimedia resources: use of authentic materials and digital tools, including generative artificial intelligence tools, approached critically and responsibly in support of language-learning activities.

The syllabus and assessment methods are the same for attending and non-attending students. Given the applied nature of the course, however, regular attendance and active participation are strongly recommended.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development