Rome exhibits layers of history going back over two millennia—Etruscan tombs, Republican meeting rooms, imperial temples, early Christian churches, medieval bell towers, Renaissance palaces and baroque basilicas. In this city a phenomenal concentration of history, legend and monuments coexists with an equally phenomenal concentration of people busily going about their everyday life. While tourists visit the Vatican, the Forum Romanum and the Trevi Fountain, many visitors often miss the many other sights, which make the whole of Rome a museum—a living museum with a population of 3 million, with a vibrant culture.
The interdisciplinary Rome program utilizes the entire city as a classroom or studio. While the program is designed to immerse students fully in the experience of being in Rome, several significant excursions will provide students a wider perspective on the history, culture and daily life of Italy as a whole. For the first two weeks of this program, students are housed in a hotel in central Rome, within close walking distance of many of the major historical sites. The group then moves to furnished flats to provide an opportunity to practice Italian language skills and experience Roman daily life. Students are affiliated with the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (SLdV), one of the leading language and culture schools in Italy.
For Spring 2009, all students will take two required courses, Italian Language and Culture and Ars Technica:
Italian Language and Culture (1 credit)
This course will build upon the foundation of Italian language study completed at HWS prior to the program. A variety of visits to local sites will complement in-class instruction and a series of “labs” will introduce students to various aspects of Italian culture and society. Students with more advanced Italian skills will be placed in an upper level class.
Ars Technica
This course explores various influential scientific advances and technologies devised by the Romans, Florentines, and Italians from the 1st c. BCE to through the 17th c. The arts and sciences involved and the social consequences of these inventions and their applications will be investigated. Field trips to museums and exhibits are included.
In addition, students will choose two electives from among the following three courses:
The Mind’s Eye
This video technology workshop presents both the basics of analog and digital still/video technology along with its use through visual creativity. Student projects range from basic manipulation of still and video images to planning, scripting, producing, shooting, editing, and presenting several short documentary videos on topics related to their experiences in Rome.
Art that Needs You
This course will be both an introduction to western art from ancient Rome to the present from selected works, and an in-depth study of the phenomena of the artist’s manipulation of the audience. Topics include viewpoint, use, experiential space, need for previous knowledge, and sense of the past. Sessions will take place on site as often as possible.
Sketchbook Rome
This is a studio art course held in the open spaces of Rome.
Although the Rome program can accommodate students of many academic disciplines, the course offerings are geared primarily to those studying art history, architectural studies, aesthetics, arts and education, European studies, modern languages, and studio art.
Open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors in good social and academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students will be required to have successfully completed an intensive Italian language class along with a Reader’s College orientation course during the fall semester preceding the program. Due to the challenging nature of study abroad, student academic and disciplinary records will be carefully screened.
Students reside in a hotel located in Central Rome for the first two weeks of the program and then move to independent apartments for the remainder of the semester.
Program-related excursions vary from year to year depending on the courses offered and the interests of the faculty director(s). The program typically includes a combination of overnight excursions outside Rome, designed to provide students insight into other areas of the country, and day trips to important sites in and around Rome. Excursions tentatively planned for Spring 2009 include Florence and Siena.
Students will be charged standard HWS tuition and room fee and a $500 administrative fee. This will cover credit for a four-course semester, all course-related expenses (including excursions) and housing. Students should plan to bring their board fee to Rome to cover meals. Additional expenses not covered include airfare, books, visa, and personal expenses (laundry, entertainment, ground transportation and independent travel). We estimate airfare for this program at $600-$700 from the East Coast, visa at $25 and books at $200. It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of personal expenses because student spending habits differ considerably. We would suggest a minimum of $1500. However, students on a tight budget should be able to manage with less. If you are concerned about finances, we strongly encourage you to talk to the CGE staff who can offer information and advice based on your specific situation.
NOTE: The information contained in this brochure is subject to change. Please see the CGE for more information.
