Session	Dates	Price
Fall Semester 2009 - Santa Reparata - Italian Culture	August 31 - December 18, 2009	TBA
Fall Semester 2009 - Santa Reparata - Language and Culture	August 31 - December 18, 2009	TBA
Fall Semester 2009 - Santa Reparata - Studio Art	August 31 - December 18, 2009	TBA
Academic Year 2009-2010 - Santa Reparata - Italian Culture	August 31, 2009 - April 30, 2010 (Tentative)	TBA
Academic Year 2009-2010 - Santa Reparata - Studio Art	August 31, 2009 - April 30, 2010 (Tentative)	TBA

Full Description

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to a broad array of topics that inform historic and contemporary Italian culture. It is designed to introduce American students to Italian society and to broaden their experience through a wide range of lectures, cultural activities and visits.

The course will be structured thematically, with lectures on topics such as the art and architecture of Florence, the history of Italian gastronomy and traditions, the Italian cinema and music and the main issues related to the Italian family and society. Particular attention will be given during the course to the connection between the subjects approached in class and contemporary Italian life. On-site trips will be scheduled also for each topic treated for a complete hands-on learning experience.

Class will be presented as lectures as well as open critiques and will be augmented by a series of readings and field trips to museums, artisans’ labs and sites of historical or cultural importance.

Students will record and respond to these experiences by creating an original journal in which their thoughts and experiences are recorded and given an organized form.

CONTENT INTRODUCTION:

The course broadens and deepens students' understanding of the culture, the Italian people and physical surroundings they encounter during their period of study in Italy providing a general framework for their experiences.

COURSE RATIONALE:

This course is particularly recommended to all those students who want to understand in depth the Italian culture in all its aspects and traditions.The subject of each class will be developped through the professor’s explanations, readings, movies and several interviews with Italian people. Students are expected to take an active part in class, especially in the discussions, which follow readings or movies.

PREREQUISITES:

As this course is an overview of the Italian culture, there are no pre-requisites.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

By the completion of this course students will:

1) Have a basic outline of Italian, and more particularly Florentine, culture and society in order to better place their experiences and other courses within an knowledgeable context.

2) Be familiar with several elements of Florentine and Italian society and culture, having a sound basis for future studies and investigations in these fields.

3) Have a good awareness and sensitivity towards cultural differences so they will be better capable to operate in a foreign environment.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS:

The course has one mandatory course-package: “Introduction to Italian culture” edited by the instructor and available at copisteria: Cartoleria Ostolani, via della scala,