International opportunities for students
The conflict between hegemonic past and local identities in languages, figurative arts, and music from Europe to Africa

Period

2 weeks, from Monday 5 to Friday 16 February 2024 with students present in Trento, PLUS a compulsory 2-hour follow-up workshop online on Friday 23 February (in two time slots, time to be confirmed). 
See the Photo Gallery and What students say about us in the downloads.

Venue

Department of Humanities, Via Tommaso Gar 14, Trento

Contents

Taught completely in English, the Decolonizing Cultural Heritage Winter school addresses a crucial issue of global importance, namely, the challenge of overcoming the dominant Western perspective still present in the approach to international cultural heritage. This turns out to be particularly urgent, when the formation of local or national identities is underway and the original cultural heritage, be it linguistic, material or immaterial, is reclaimed.

DecolHeri aims to investigate this process from both a theoretical and a practical point of view focussing on case studies in Europe and Africa.

The following three aspects will be addressed:

  • the conflicting relationships between hegemonic and local languages (linguistic focus);
  • the tensions related to the restitution and re-appropriation of material cultural heritage (focus on figurative arts and museum studies);
  • the overcoming of a colonialist approach to local musical traditions in favor of a deeper understanding of their intrinsic principles (musicological focus).

The Winter School will be structured around lectures, seminars with experts and outdoor activities.
Lectures will be given by both faculty members of the Department of Humanities and external experts to ensure an interdisciplinary program, a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, and a variety of case studies. Accordingly, the Winter School will use a variety of teaching methods to ensure that each student is actively involved in the debates and interactive parts of the classes.

Workload and Credits

All lectures, seminars and activities are in English.
The program includes 7 hours per day of face-to-face activities, including visits and excursions. 
External participants will receive an official UniTrento transcript certifying 6 ECTS, at the end of the Winter School.
UniTrento Participants will receive a certificate of attendance. The extracurricular activity can be recognized as credits, thesis points or extra credits, according to the rules of their course. Please, contact the Student Services Office.

Participants' Background

The Winter School is open to up to 25 advanced international undergraduate and graduate students (upper-level Bachelor's and all Master's students).
The Winter School is aimed at (but not limited to) students with an interest in postcolonial studies, especially in the humanities, in the promotion and management of cultural heritage at local and international levels.
Ideally, the curriculum of participants should show an interest in international issues of global relevance. Debating and teamwork skills are expected.
A good level of English (at least B2) is required.

Application Process

Students coming from partner universities must first be pre-selected and nominated by the partner universities. UniTrento will carry out a final selection of the applications.
External students from non-partner universities are selected by UniTrento only. 
All students are required to upload their CV, ToR (Transcript of Records), identity document and a motivation letter during the online application process.
The online application tool is available from in the section Useful Links.
The Winter School will take place with a minimum number of 10 participants, 80% of which must be international.

Deadlines

Nominations by partner Universities: by 15 October 2023 
Submission of the online application for all students: 30 October 2023 (available in the Useful Links section)
UniTrento students' applications: starting from 1 November, if places are still available
Final confirmation of admission: by mid-November. Students are asked to pay the participation cost by 30 November 2023.

Participation Costs

Students from UniTrento partners universities: 400 Euros 
External students (from non-partner universities): 1.000 Euros
A maximum of 2 ECIU students are free of charge (selected among other ECIU students, on the basis of merit, academic profile and motivation letter). All other admitted ECIU students pay the university partner fee.
Payment details will be sent to admitted participants. 
The participation cost includes: lunch and dinners in the university canteen from Monday to Friday and a socio-cultural program consisting of: a guided visit of the town, a welcome drink and a farewell buffet, a one-day and a half-day outdoor activity with visit to a museum or other cultural institutions.
Excluded are: accommodation, breakfasts and weekend meals, insurance, visa and travel costs.
Cancellation: Participation fees will be reimbursed 100% in case of cancellation due to serious illness or a positive COVID swab test within the 48 hours prior to departure for Italy. No fees will be reimbursed if cancellation is for any other reason. 
A maximum of 2 UniTrento students can apply starting from 1 November, if places are still available. The participation cost is 100 Euros and does not include the meal vouchers at the canteen.

Accommodation

All participants are responsible for planning and paying for their own lodging in Trento.
Details and possible housing solutions providing the Trentino Guest Card will be sent to admitted students.

COVID-Related Measures

It is strongly recommended that students inquire about any potential COVID-related rules prior to travelling (Useful Links section).

Academic Coordinators

Prof. Ermenegildo Bidese (German linguistics)
Prof.ssa Alessandra Galizzi Kroegel (Museum studies)
Prof. Marco Uvietta (Musicology).

Contacts

International Relations Division 
international [at] unitn.it

Photogallery

Here we go, let's start!Ice-breaking, networking and coffeeLectureGuided visit of TrentoEthnografic museum San Michele all'AdigeLearning from ancestorsTools of the pastFocus on instruments......and instrumentalistsLast instructions for debatingWork in groupsWork in groupsWork in groupsReady for the debateDebatingDebatingBuonconsiglio CastleAquila TowerBuonconsiglio CastleLectureExcursion to LusernWalking togetherIt's a matter of rhythmReadyHere we goTime to say goodbyeWaiting for you!