The BIP on Poetry as a Sociocultural Activity in the Global Asian and MENA Contexts aims to study some forms of poetry that interact with Asian, Middle Eastern and Afro-Mediterranean societies by configuring themselves as community-making dynamics, intervening on issues of urgent relevance, taking both textual and extratextual dimensions and employing new channels of expression (AI, social media). Employing innovative teaching methods, the programme encourages the active participation of learners, articulating Arabic-, Chinese- and Japanese-language case studies to develop critical analytical skills that will help students and scholars understand how poetry can be an expression of contemporary sociocultural dynamics, while maintaining a transcultural, transmedia and interdisciplinary approach to studies on Asia, the Middle East and Mediterranean Africa.
The BIP is organised as a summer school by the University of Bologna (coordinating institution) in partnership with Aix-Marseille University, Goethe University Frankfurt, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań.
Blended Intensive Programmes are carried out within the framework of the Erasmus+. They are intensive learning-oriented activities based on innovative ways and methods of teaching, especially online, and take place through the cooperation of multiple partner universities. BIPs therefore include a virtual component and a short-term physical mobility abroad, hosted by the coordinating institution. The official 2025 Erasmus+ Programme Guide is available for further information.
Specifically, our BIP is divided into two moments: the first phase, aimed at providing methodological tools for analysing themes and case studies, takes place online through lectures on Teams and forum discussion on Bologna University's Virtuale platform, a Moodle-based platform (April-May 2026). The second part is a final intensive in-person workshop in Bologna from 15 to 19 June 2026.
At the end of the programme, attending students will obtain 6 ECTS.
By the end of the course, participants will have deepened their knowledge of the contexts and modes of poetic production in Arabic, Chinese and Japanese; acquired and consolidated the theoretical-methodological tools for the critical study of primary and secondary sources and, more generally, to autonomously investigate the literature of the areas concerned; sharpened their ability to approach area studies with a cross-cultural approach; and finally, developed skills in academic writing, presentation and discussion in English.
The summer school mode adopted by the BIP is also a privileged mode of dialogue and group work among participants, fostering the establishment of an inclusive international academic and educational environment.
Sources and activities will be offered in English. A minimum B2 level is expected.
No minimum level of language proficiency in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese is required.
Students from Aix-Marseille University, Goethe University Frankfurt, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań should apply through the Erasmus+ programme at their respective institutions.
A limited amount of additional applications is available for students from the University of Bologna and other interested individuals. They should directly apply for the summer school after the call is open.
For any inquiry, you may contact the scientific coordinator of the BIP at federico.picerni2@unibo.it.