The Department of Communication and Performing Arts was set up in November 1999, following the success of the Media and Communication Research Institute created by Gianfranco Bettetini in 1982. This Institute carried on the tradition of the Centre for Excellence in Journalism and Audiovisual Media (currently known as "Almed") established in 1961 by professor of Philology and drama historian Mario Apollonio, and led also by Virgilio Melchiorre and Sisto Dalla Palma. Francesco Casetti led the research within this department in the centres established in Milan and Brescia from the beginning to 2010. From 2011 to 2013 the department was chaired by Annamaria Cascetta. Currently the department is chaired by Fausto Colombo.

The scientific work is the result of the merging of different theoretical and empirical research trends and expertise, focusing on historical, semiotic, sociological and anthropological guidelines. Six main areas characterize the research, the backbone of the overall department's organization:

• Media sociology
• Media anthropology
• Film studies
• Radio and television studies
• Semiotics
• Drama and Performing arts

The department staff plays a central role in the educational projects of several faculties of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore: Humanities, Modern Languages, Social Sciences, Education and Economics. The department's aim is to develop connections with other research and cultural centres. This is achieved thanks to seminars, meetings and conferences organized both nationally and internationally.
Television, cinema, press and communication professionals are also involved in the research work and lecturing on a fixed term contract for various BA courses and post-graduate studies. The department is proud to have among its staff some of the leading professionals currently working in the communication field in Italy.

The department also organizes PhD projects in the fields of both Communication studies and Drama and Performing Arts studies.
Publications and Journals
The series Media, spettacolo e processi culturali is published by Vita e Pensiero, the official university publisher, as a periodic up-date of the analyses carried out within the department. The four-monthly journal Comunicazioni Sociali is characterized by monographic studies reporting on specific research areas. The journal is edited by Prof. Gianfranco Bettetini together with some members of the department.

The department is connected to the activities of the post-graduate school ALMED - Alta Scuola in Media, Comunicazione e Spettacolo and of the following research centres: OssCom - Centro di Ricerca sui media e la comunicazione, CeRTA - Centro di Ricerca sulla Televisione e l'Audiovisivo and CIT - Centro di Cultura e iniziativa teatrale "Mario Apollonio".

Semester 1 (Fall 2025)
Arrival date 1: 25 August 2025
Orientation 1: 26 – 28 August 2025
Arrival date 2: 8 September 2025
Orientation 2: 9 – 11 September 2025
Beginning of classes: September 15, 2025
Public Holidays: November 1 and December 8, 2025
End of classes: December 19, 2025
Examination session: January-February, 2026

Semester 2 (Spring 2026)
Arrival date 1: 2 February 2026
Orientation 1: 3 – 5 February 2026 (for students enrolled in pre-session intensive Italian language course and/or Impact Lab)
Arrival date 2: 16 February 2026
Orientation 2: 17 – 19 February 2026
Beginning of classes: February 23, 2026
Spring/Easter Break: April 2 - 6, 2026
Public Holidays: April 25, May 1, 2026
End of classes: May 22, 2026
Examination session: June-July, 2026

• Semester 1 Late February
• Semester 2 End of July
• Full Year End of July

Procedure in order to ensure timely processing of transcripts: students need to provide a list of completed exams before returning home (the university will provide such a form before the end of the semester). Students who take late exams may experience some delay in receiving transcript. Please notify International Student Services of any home institution deadline for receiving transcript for graduation, etc.


For further information please contact: 
Administrative support and Italian Language Course Coordinator
Laura FERRARI
laura.ferrari@unicatt.it
+39.02.7234.5802
Office hours: from Monday to Friday 9.30AM – 12.30AM. Afternoon: 2PM – 5PM
Instructions if the contact person is not available:
Central Office: 02-7234-5801 (from 9:00AM to 5.30PM, Mon-Fri)

International Student Services
International students can be faced with challenges and new experiences so whether you are seeking advice related to your studies, accommodation or overall experiences, you should never fear being alone on campus as the following offices and teams will be your first port of call:
 
International Office Student Advisors
The International Student Services Office assists exchange / study abroad / double degree international students from the very first contact and throughout the students experience at Cattolica. The support services include assistance with admissions, registration, housing, academic advising, access to health and welfare services, visa and residency permit applications and financial questions.

Address
Via Carducci 28/30, 20123 Milano
MM2 Sant'Ambrogio

Contacts
international.advisor@unicatt.it

Office Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9.30am - 12.30pm and 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Friday: 9.30am - 12.30pm

TRAVEL INFORMATION
From point of arrival in host country to city/town nearest institution:
Please attempt to arrive at Malpensa International Airport, 40 Km from Milan City Center. There is a train connection between Malpensa and Milan (Cadorna Station) every 30 minutes.
From within city/town to institution:
Underground system: Red line, stop at Cadorna Station, 10 minute walk from campus central building. Green line, stop at St. Ambrogio Station, 5 minute walk to campus. Additional information will be provided by e-mail.

ACCOMODATION
Cattolica has limited student housing, but fortunately, student housing options in the city of Milan are as numerous as they are varied. International students looking for accommodation can explore possible solutions on the websites listed on this page.