The program is structured in courses about basic and specialized contents and in laboratories, training students to practical communicative skills with a particular attention to the fashion and food sectors. Field trips and workshops with renowned players of these sectors are part of the Program.
Educational activities planning
Dear students,
I hope to find you all well.
I am back to write to you now in view of the summer break with some information for the next academic year, which integrates and specifies for our Faculty what is contained in the University communication, which you can find on the website (https://www.unicatt.eu/info-covid-19-provisions-for-the-university-community-covid-19-emergency-updates). The recipients of this communication are joined by those enrolled and pre-enrolled for 2021-2022, whom I welcome on behalf of the Faculty and myself, looking forward to meeting you soon.
It may seem a century ago, but less than ten months have passed since we met at the start of the academic year. Then there have been few weeks of classroom lessons for some of you, the suspension of face-to-face lessons with the red zones, quota accesses via app, some remote and some face-to-face exams …. the efforts, the pains; unfortunately some personal dramas. But also the joy, the satisfaction of continuing our journey together, despite everything and thanks to the commitment of everyone, teachers, technical and administrative staff and all of you.
Now we look forward with hope.
It seems to me that the aforementioned University communication very well expresses confidence "in the possibility of getting closer to that form of 'university life' which, also nourished by the personal sharing of ideas, places and experiences, characterizes the educational offer of our University".
A long-awaited return, because we are sure that, if technologies have allowed us to continue along the path without major obstructions, the experience of relationships is essential to university life. And that, as the Holy Father writes in the Encyclical "Fratelli tutti", "There is a need for physical gestures, facial expressions, moments of silence, body language and even the smells, the trembling of hands, the blushes and perspiration that speak to us and are a part of human communication”.
How we missed all of this! And now, God willing, we can hope to go back to live this experience, which builds us as women and men, even before as future graduates.
Here are some indications organized by topic.
1) Exams
a. Autumn Session (August-September 2021)
The methods used for the summer session are confirmed, which provide, with limited exceptions, oral exams delivered remotely and written exams preferably delivered in face-to-face mode. The schedule and methods of carrying out each exam will be indicated on the iCatt portal and on the iCatt app and can be consulted before registering for the exam.
b. Winter Session and partial tests (January-February 2022)
Written and oral exams will be delivered, unless otherwise requested by the competent authorities, in face-to-face mode, with priority on the written ones. The schedule and methods of carrying out each exam will be indicated on the iCatt portal and on the iCatt app and can be consulted before registering for the exam.
Any specific information for each individual course will be available, as usual, on Blackboard.
Requests for remote delivery of exams scheduled in person
With regard to both sessions and the exams that will be scheduled exclusively in the presence mode, if no limitations to travel and / or related to distancing are ordered by the competent authorities that require to carry out the exams remotely or in dual mode, the possibility of taking remote exams will normally be guaranteed only to students who cannot be present at the University due to proven health problems attributable to the COVID-19 coronavirus and certified by means of a specific self-certification to be completed in the appropriate application at the time of registration for the exam.
Requests based on the location of domicile will no longer be accepted, while reasons related to accidents or illnesses not connected with the pandemic remain unacceptable: the granting of the use of the remote examination in this case would create a precedent and, for the future, it is not planned to guarantee this method to anyone in similar conditions.
Curricula entirely taught in English - IRGA and COMMA
The two curricula in English (IRGA and COMMA) are exceptions to the indications above on the exams delivery mode, due to the significant number of foreign students with specific difficulties in reaching Milan. For the autumn session, the remote delivery method remains confirmed. For the winter session, the situation will be re-evaluated upon resumption of lectures and adequate communication will be given to interested students.
2) Bachelor's degree exams Autumn Session (September 2021)
All bachelor's degree exams are expected to take place in person, unless otherwise requested by the students. Each candidate can be accompanied by no more than 5 people. The discussions in presence and remotely can be recorded by the technicians and, upon request, made available to the student who took the test.
The graduation ceremony, distinct from the exam, will also be held face-to-face, unless otherwise requested by the students. On this occasion, each candidate may be accompanied by no more than 3 people.
3) Teaching activities a.y. 2021-2022
As already communicated, the lessons of the Faculty will resume on Monday 27 September. The current schedule of activities for the next academic year provides for the return of all teaching activities in presence, from the classrooms of the University.
If, as it is likely at least for the first part of the academic year, limitations due to the need for distancing remain, access to face-to-face lessons will take place on the basis of shifts, as already happened in part of this year. The access procedures and shifts, based on the availability of approximately 50% of the seats in the classrooms, will be made available on the iCatt portal and on the iCatt app. Access to the lessons must be confirmed at least 48 hours in advance and it will be possible to request access even on days other than those assigned for the lessons through a mechanism for reassigning unconfirmed places.
In order to allow students who will not be able to attend in person to take advantage of teaching, the lessons delivered in the classroom will be simultaneously broadcast in live streaming via the Blackboard online teaching platform and their video recordings will be available for streaming, for one week from the lecture’s date.
The aforementioned tools will be essential to face the limitations that remained as a consequence of the emergency. Having said so, we invite you all to take advantage of all the opportunities involved in living the university as a physical place where to share an experience, looking forward to returning to full normality. We will make good use of the technologies we have become accustomed to, to personalize your path even more; but they are an integration to and not a substitute of the academic experience.
4) Office hours
Office hours meetings can be carried out, in compliance with the protocols and guidelines in force and after agreement between the teacher and the student concerned, in presence as well as remotely.
Thanks for your attention. Have a nice summer!
Guido Merzoni
Dean of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences