Incoming student orientation activities are part of the University's broader commitment in this area, and also include a series of initiatives aimed at disseminating specific content related to the study program.
Firstly, close coordination is activated between the professors in charge of orientation and student tutors, to ensure a coherent and constant flow of information to upper secondary school students, their teachers, and their parents.
During the summer months and other periods of the year, a large number of professors offer their contribution through orientation meetings with individual students or groups of schoolchildren, based on a calendar set by the central Orientation office.
A fundamental initiative consists of the detailed organization of Open University days, when groups of students are welcomed to the department with the opportunity to: attend a general presentation of the degree programs and their educational offerings; attend a "demo" lesson on the most typical topics of regular university courses; observe exams in progress; visit the libraries and other department facilities (main hall, computer lab, etc.).
The same type of meetings is organized during specific guided tours, upon request from individual schools throughout the year, with the possibility of faculty meetings also with parents.
A large number of professors carry out orientation activities in schools that have requested them, also establishing direct contact with teachers to prepare possible joint initiatives.
Lessons on the most important and interesting topics of political and international sciences are also offered, which the Department's professors conduct in schools that have requested them.
These interventions are closely linked to tutoring activities for newly enrolled students: in the immediate run-up to the start of classes, the Department and Degree Programs are presented by the Director and the entire faculty; during the same period, an Entry Test is held which allows students to identify their gaps or difficulties with respect to the subjects they will study, and then contact the professors in charge of orientation to overcome them; the "alumni" association organizes a specific meeting day with graduates of the former Faculty of Political Science who illustrate their various experiences and professional placements. In this case, it is a more targeted intervention on the job opportunities offered by political and international sciences, compared to the general Career Day organized by the University.
The Academic Regulations of the Master's Degree Program in International Relations (LM-52) stipulate that first-year enrolled students must take an Initial Knowledge Assessment Test (IKAT).
This test is not an exam but a brief questionnaire (15 multiple-choice questions) designed to assess the level of preparation in the main subject areas covered by the curriculum: History, Economics, and Law.
Scores will be calculated by awarding 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for incorrect or unanswered questions. Students scoring less than 3 points in each of the three subject areas will be contacted by the Teaching Committee (Comitato per la didattica) to discuss their results and determine how to address any gaps in their initial knowledge.
The IKAT will be held on three dates starting in November.
PRELIMINARY KNOWLEDGE TEST (PKT)
At the beginning of the MA course in International Relations (LM-52), including the curriculum in European Studies, students have to take a Preliminary Knowledge Test (PKT).
The PKT is a 15-item multiple-choice test relating to the main areas covered in the Master’s course (History, Economics, Law). The PKT is not an exam. It aims to measure the level of information that students have concerning the basic issues that will serve as the foundation to build upon when advancing in their academic career.
Scores for this test will be calculated by assigning 1 point to every correct answer the student has provided, and 0 points for incorrect answers or for questions left unanswered. Students that score less than 3 out of 5 points in each of the three units will be given an appointment with the teaching board (Comitato per la didattica) to discuss their PKT and plan how to fill the gaps in their initial knowledge.
The PKT will be held on three dates from November onwards.
A form of academic tutoring is provided for newly enrolled students. Upon enrollment, each student is assigned by the Teaching Committee (Comitato per la didattica) to a professor of their respective degree program.
These professors will be available through individual meetings to clarify the appropriate level of preparation needed to undertake first-year courses, facilitate integration into the study program and the department, encourage timely completion of exams, provide information on mandatory internships and cultural initiatives sponsored by the department, and explain how to access the library.
Seminars and guided tours of the library's services, its holdings, and bibliographic research methods are organized to coincide with the start of the courses.