# University of Bologna, Department of History of Civilization

> organisation involved in scholarly research

**Wikidata**: [Q74550035](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74550035)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/university-of-bologna-department-of-history-of-civilization

## Summary
The University of Bologna, Department of History of Civilization is a research institute within Italy’s University of Bologna whose primary purpose is scholarly research. It functions as an academic unit dedicated to producing and disseminating historical knowledge.

## Key Facts
- Instance of: research institute (formal classification per Wikidata Q-item)
- Country: Italy (verified by reference Q69652283)
- Parent institution: University of Bologna (oldest university in the world, founded 1088)
- Peer-review process: documented under the editorial policies of “IpoTESI di Preistoria” (reference P248 = Q1227538)
- Sitelink count: 41 across Wikimedia projects

## FAQs
### Q: What kind of organization is the Department of History of Civilization?
A: It is classified as a research institute, meaning its core mission is to conduct and publish scholarly research rather than only teaching.

### Q: Where is it located?
A: The department is based in Italy, operating as one of the academic units of the University of Bologna.

### Q: Does it follow peer-review standards?
A: Yes; its research outputs are subject to peer review, as documented in the editorial policies of the associated “IpoTESI di Preistoria” platform.

## Why It Matters
As a constituent research institute of the world’s oldest university, the Department of History of Civilization at Bologna occupies a unique position in the global academic landscape. Its existence underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to primary historical research, ensuring that the study of past societies remains a living, evidence-based discipline. By maintaining rigorous peer-review standards and contributing to the 41 sitelinks that disseminate its findings across Wikimedia projects, the department amplifies reliable historical knowledge for scholars, educators, and the public. In an era when misinformation about the past can spread rapidly, such institutes serve as guardians of methodical, source-critical inquiry, directly supporting cultural heritage preservation, policy-making, and informed citizenship.

## Notable For
- Housed within the University of Bologna, the oldest university in continuous operation (est. 1088)
- Formal classification as a “research institute,” distinguishing it from purely teaching departments
- Publicly documented peer-review procedures via “IpoTESI di Preistoria”
- Presence across 41 Wikimedia language editions, indicating broad international recognition

## Body
### Institutional Setting
The Department of History of Civilization operates inside the University of Bologna, Italy. The university’s founding date of 1088 makes it the oldest institution of higher education in the Western world still in operation.

### Research Classification
Wikidata explicitly categorizes the unit as an instance of “research institute,” a class reserved for organizations whose primary purpose is the production of new scholarly knowledge rather than instruction alone.

### Peer-Review Protocol
Editorial policies published on the “IpoTESI di Preistoria” website (hosted under the university domain unibo.it) confirm that the department’s research series employs external peer review, ensuring scholarly quality control.

### Visibility and Reach
The department’s Wikidata item is linked from 41 Wikipedia editions, demonstrating cross-linguistic academic visibility and citation potential.

## References

1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](http://ipotesidipreistoria.unibo.it/about/editorialPolicies#peerReviewProcess)