Students must acquire competences related to: - the periodization of the different phases of historical occupation of the central area of ¿¿the Italian peninsula. - the relationship between territory and urbanism in ancient times, and its economic and religious implications. - the ways in which architectural complexes and archaeological material reflect the development of religious, political, economic and social life. - the techniques of parietal and pavement decoration, and their importance for the definition of the building chronology. - the analysis of the ancient artifact as historical testimony. - the techniques of stratigraphic excavation, which allow to understand the relevance of the role that the excavation of Pompeii and Herculaneum had in the evolution of the methodology of archaeological research and conservation. - the interpretation and publication of the results within the framework of the management of cultural tourism resources. - the tourist exploitation of archaeological sites and their conflictive relationship with the conservation of cultural assets. - the ability to transmit expert knowledge to a non-specialized citizenry, as well as a reasoned confrontation with the specialists who generate knowledge.

The area of Mount Vesuvius (Campania, Italy) is located at the center of this course, which will examine its archaeological sites: Pompeii, Herculaneum and the nearby villae (including Stabiae and Oplontis). In addition to analyzing the ancient literary sources that testify the existence of these cities and to reviewing the main moments of the history of their discovery, excavation and conservation, it is intended to offer students a detailed knowledge of the historical evolution and urban development of these sites. Students will have the opportunity to explore the main monuments (walls, streets, hydraulic systems, temples, civic / public buildings, tombs, domestic spaces, etc.) and to examine the archaeological material obtained during the excavations. The objective is to observe critically the interpretations that specialists have forged about the functions and chronology of the Vesubian architectural complexes.

Educational activities and teaching methodologies: - Teacher's lectures with computer and audiovisual media support, in which the main concepts of the subject will be developed and the bibliography will be provided to complement the students' learning. - Critical reading of texts recommended by the teacher of the course: press articles, reports, manuals and/or academic articles, either for further discussion in class, or to expand and consolidate the knowledge of the subject. - Resolution of practical cases, problems, etc. raised by the teacher individually or in groups. - Specific tutorials to discuss and prepare the presentation of individual works and materials. - Exhibition and discussion in class, under the moderation of the teacher, of topics related to the content of the subject, as well as of practical cases. - Preparation of papers and reports individually or in groups.