At the end of the course, after passing the final test carried out online, a certificate will be issued proving the knowledge acquired. The course is also valid for listing EPTAS Directory of Tourism, Arts and Entertainment Professionals  (Thematic expertise recognized: CTS8: Principles of Interpretation of Cultural Heritage).

The course is also recognized by the Italian Association of Tourism Professionals and Cultural Operators (AIPTOC) authorized by Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) to release Certificate of quality and professional qualification of the Services pursuant to Articles 4, 7 and 8 of Law 4/2013.

Educational content 

Module 1: Cultural Heritage (3 hours)

• The concept of cultural assets
• The Franceschini Commission
• Definitions in the 1972 Paris World Heritage Convention
• The definition of Cultural Heritage according to the Faro Convention
• The Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Demo-ethno-anthropological heritage (DEA)
  • The Unesco Model
  • The scientific (or disciplinary) model

Module 2: Interpretation of Cultural Heritage (25)

• Origins of the concept of Interpretation
• The “fathers” of the concept of Interpretation
  • John Muir
  • Liberty Hyde Bailey
  • Enos Abijah Mills
  • Charles Matthias Goethe
  • Freeman Tilden
• Definition of Interpretation
• Freeman Tilden's Principles of Interpretation
• Evolution and review of the Principles of Interpretation
  • William J. Lewis
  • Donald R. Field and J. Alan Wagar
  • Sam Ham
  • John Veverka
  • Larry Beck and Ted T. Cable
• The Principles of the Interpreting Experience Pathways revisited by Ignazio Caloggero
  • Multisensory approach
  • Cultural approach (Local identities)
  • Uniqueness
  • Relational approach (centrality and uniqueness of people)
  • Participation
  • Experiential learning (educational process)
  • thematic approach
  • aesthetic approach
  • Entertainment
  • Immersion
  • Revelation (hermeneutical communication)
  • Provocation (communication based on provocation)
  • Systemic approach (holistic view)
  • Tailored approach
  • Creative approach
  • Interpretation based on facts
  • Simplicity and communicative coherence
  • Emotional connection (passion)
• Interpretation and Education
• The “fruits” of interpretation
• The different disciplines of Cultural Heritage Interpretation
• Experiential and Interpretive Quality
  • Factors and Indicators of Experiential and Interpretive Quality
  • Evaluation of Experiential and Interpretive Quality
• Examples and Case Studies

Module 3: Professional Figures in the Cultural Heritage Interpretation Sector (2 hours)

• Recognition of the skills of the Heritage Interpreter
• Certification of Quality and Professional Qualification of services pursuant to Law 4/2013
• Tourism, Arts, Heritage Competence Framework
• The skills of the Cultural Heritage Interpreter
• A scheme for the recognition of the figure of Cultural Heritage Interpreter