The Semester Program

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Venice International University is an innovative and challenging opportunity for students who excel academically and who want to live for a semester in an international and dynamic environment, communicating and working with people from other cultures.

In this innovative program, visiting professors from the member universities teach at VIU for one semester.

At VIU, students will find a blend of cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary and disciplinary courses, many of which on contemporary issues or adopting new approaches, comparing or studying cultures, dealing with issues on which VIU has Research Centers, and including courses on Venetian Art and Architecture and Italian and Venetian History and Culture. All courses are English-taught.

The Program has a strong focus on:

Globalization, Sustainable Development, Cosmopolitism and Cultural Heritage

The Globalization Program, which runs parallel to the Semester Program, offers a consistent set of courses on these themes. Globalization Program courses are open also to students admitted to the Semester Program.

-Globalization, Environment and Sustainable Development (Spring)
-International Management: Managing Global Value Chains (Spring)
-Cultural Heritage and Globalization (Fall)
-Culture, Innovation and Urban Change (Fall)

Interdisciplinarity

Today's globalized world needs flexible minds, able to move across disciplines, capable of tackling contemporary challenges with innovative humanistic approaches. The program is pluri- and inter-disciplinary.

Sample courses from previous semesters: 

-Economics and Art
-Power and Beauty
-Justice and Development

Multiculturalism

Respect for diversity and mutual understanding are fostered through comparative and cultural studies. Group work in courses is encouraged to facilitate knowledge transfer among the different academic traditions.

Sample courses from previous semesters:

-Venice and Globalization
-Images of Japan
-Cultural Myths and Stereotypical Cultural Images

Venice

Venice is a living pedestrian city with a rich merchant, political and literary history. It preserves its ancient urban form and an exceptional concentration of works of art and also many contemporary cultural opportunities. The city offers the possibility of experiencing the challenges of environmental and economic sustainibility and provides resources for courses in art, architecture, theater, cinema, music, industrial districts and more.

The following courses are offered every semester:

-History of Venetian Art and Architecture
-History of Venice
-Italian Contemporary History
-Italian for Foreigners