Italy

The course offers an introduction to contemporary philosophy and language and focuses on the nature of truth through an analysis of the main philosophical theories regarding truth as well as issues related to the value of truth, relativism, and the debate on post-truth. The course includes traditional lectures, slides, quizzes on the e-learning system, and experiments with peer instruction methods (Kahoot software). Assessment is based on a research paper and a final oral exam on lecture notes, the required readings, and the research paper.

This course examines the fundamental techniques of some significant approaches within Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the solution of difficult problems. In particular, the course discusses local research techniques in a space of solutions, systems with constraints, soft constraints, planning techniques, representation and manipulation of knowledge with and without uncertainty, decision theory, reasoning techniques with preferences, and aggregation of preferences in a multi-agent context. The structure and the topics of the course is as follows: problem resolution, and local search algorithms; constraint-based systems and soft constraints; preference reasoning and preference aggregation in multi-agent systems; decision theory; treatment of uncertainty and probabilistic reasoning; planning; and artificial intelligence in society. The course recommends students have basic knowledge of programming and algorithms as a prerequisite.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. Students acquire the fundamental knowledge in history of Medieval art and develop the necessary skills to familiarize themselves with the artistic production of the period. Students analyze some of the main works of the history of Medieval art using specific methodologies and compare these appropriately. The first part of the course focuses on the study of artistic phenomena and their development with particular attention to the mendicant orders (Franciscans, Dominicans and Augustinians). Attention is paid to the material aspects, techniques, form, and function of the works of art (architecture, paintings, frescoes, illuminated books) in relation to the liturgy, architecture, accesses, and pilgrimage routes. The second part of the course focuses on monographic terms of the spatial and decorative restitution of one of the most significant European monuments: the basilica of San Francesco in Assisi.

This course offers an in-depth analysis of the multidimensional social challenges that are embedded in the global food systems, utilizing the Sicilian foodways as a case study. Immigration from Africa and the Middle East, recent food quality discourses and fair-trade practices intersect in Sicily, at the center of the Mediterranean, offering a rich landscape of NGOs and businesses that lead the social change towards a more equitable and just system of food production, distribution, and consumption. The course discusses the experiences of the migrant agricultural labor force, seeking to create a better life for themselves far from their homelands; and the course explores the agricultural system into which they find themselves inserted. Combined with an in-depth introduction to the new regimes of food quality that have influenced the emergence of prestigious and innovative food brands and labels in Sicily, students use their new understanding of the trends of the recent past to map the possible developments that Sicilian cuisine may take in the future.

This course introduces students to the politics of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a particular focus on regional dynamics related to religion, authoritarianism, foreign intervention, and popular politics. The first half of the course provides the main historical, social, and economic features underpinning current politics in MENA by examining historical state formation, authoritarian governance, and political economy in the region. In so doing, the course equips students with the main analytical tools needed to comprehend and critically analyze the course of current political developments, which the second half of the course addresses. Students learn about the trajectory of the Arab Spring, the rise and decline of Islamist political movements, and ongoing struggles with civil wars and terrorism, among other topics. The course requires students have basic knowledge of theories and concepts of political science to participate in the course.

The course explores theoretical and technical knowledge concerning the psychological processes underlying individuals’ behaviors at the workplace. Communication and decision-making processes are connected and continuously take place in the working environment. The course examines several types of organizational structures, and the impact of novel technologies on the working processes. Finally, the course applies the most appropriate methods and techniques for carrying out in-field studies in the organizational context. The course discusses topics including organizational theories; organizational structure and culture; occupational psychology (selection and evaluation); communication; groups and team-building; leadership and management; decision making and creativity; motivation and job design; attitudes, values, job satisfaction, and commitment; human error; health at workplace; marketing; ergonomics; eye tracking and psychophysiology at workplace; brainstorming; focus groups; affinity diagrams; and video analysis.