Creating an European Master Programme in European Heritage and Digital Media Joaquim Carvalho University of Coimbra, Portugal

Master in the Bologna context A Master programme is a second cycle programme in the Bologna framework. Students must have concluded a first cycle programme (3/4 years). The Master programme is two years (120 credits) Master programmes offered by networks of European Universities are important in the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA) They are one of the core strategies of the EU to make the EHEA “attractive” worldwide.

Why Heritage and Digital Media? Technology evolves in the direction of wider and cheaper dissemination of multi-media information New questions: –What types of content will use the new technological possibilities? –How can Europe's rich cultural heritage be harvested efficiently as content source for the new information and communication technologies? –Are new roles and job profiles emerging in the area of content production and project management for the multimedia industries, where balanced skills in cultural heritage and ITC are central?

Why an European Master? The problems of content production and bridging the gap between cultural heritage and new media are global, but they find in the European context a fertile ground where innovative solutions can emerge. Europe provides advanced technological industries, multi-secular heritage, rich diversity of cultures and historical experiences, millions of educated cultural consumers. Europe the world's first destination for culture aware tourism

Aims of this Master Global aim: to offer an integrated program aiming at producing top level professionals able to make new bridges between Cultural Content, Historical Heritage and ITC. Profile: professionals able to communicate both with content specialists and technological experts in order to create, design, plan and manage effectively complex projects for the content industries. Audience: students with a 1st cycle degree in Humanities or related areas.

Institutions involved PT University of Coimbra, Grupo de História –Web production, Multimedia CD-ROMS, Historical Computer Games DE Universiy at Köln, Historisch- Kulturwissenschaftliche Informationsverarbeitung –Digital libraries, Historical Databases, Historical Computer Science FI University of Turku (various dept.s) –Online distance learning, Web based historical content (EHLEE) project IT Lecce, Dipartimento di Studi Storici dal Medioevo all' Età Contemporanea –Historical /Geographical Information systems

How it will work Each institution takes its own students First Semester: –Students are at their home institutions –Coordinated content ensures every student gets similar basic conceptual and technological competences –Students are exposed to what will be offered in other institutions. –Courses in native languages

How it will work Second semester –Students choose another institution to further their training in specific areas –Courses in English Third Semester –Students either return home or move to another University –Courses of 3rd semester might duplicate the 2nd semester with different students

How it will work Fourth semester –Students write their thesis/project with co- supervisors from the institution close to their interests Professors might circulate in the first semester to present their institution’s offers. Professors might circulate later to give concentrated courses and follow supervised students

The European advantage Students will be able to tap a pool of experts and resources in different but interrelated areas. Students will be able to choose (co- )supervisors from different institutions and develop work in different environments. Students will be exposed to different academic and industrial environments and contact different types of content and ways to use it.

Calendar Detailed work plan and formal agreement of institutions to cooperate starting activities at October 2005 June-July 2005 : approval of programme structure required by University Senates in PT and IT before the summer : detailed planning, production of materials and publicity strategy (flyers, information package). Spring-Summer 2006: publicity, taking inscriptions, selecting candidates September 2006: starting.

Questions open What core content in the first semester? What specific content in the second semester at each institution? Status of the joint degree (awarded jointly by 4 universities) Money for mobility of students and professors (EU in the first run, fees in some countries, sponsorships)