Study Abroad | Florence
Summer 2025: Academics

Course Code: FNAR 340

Instruction Language: English

This course aims to develop students’ personal styles using all the knowledge and experience acquired in previous art courses. Students will develop and refine drawing techniques and concepts and be guided towards a better understanding of human anatomy for the purpose of artistic expression. Emphasis will be put on spatial perception, compositional structure, linear perspective, figure/ground integration. Students will work on complex assignments which will require not only strong technical skills but also critical thinking, and analytical abilities necessary to verbalize the conceptual projects from which they originated. A studio fee is required for this course.

Course Code: FNAR 350

Instruction Language: English

This course is intended for students who already have a good grasp of techniques and concepts of painting. Students are guided to develop a personal style, expression, and analysis of the painting process while familiarizing with professional painting techniques and materials. The course includes outdoor painting in the most beautiful spots of Florence and work in the studio. Discussions and critiques are an important part of this course aimed to develop students’ conceptual skills, critical and visual vocabulary of art, creative expression. A studio fee is required for this course.

Course Code: FNAR 240

Instruction Language: English

This course is a continuation of Introduction to Drawing. It aims to reinforce basic drawing skills and introduces additional drawing media and techniques focusing on linear perspective, objects, spatial perception and human anatomy. Some classes and the relevant assignments will focus on a more realistic approach, others will focus on more conceptual approaches such as abstraction and surrealism. Emphasis is placed on the development of expressive and perceptual skills. A studio fee is required for this course.

Course Code: FNAR 250

Instruction Language: English

In this course students work to develop their technical proficiency and emphasis is put on specific light related issues such as artificial lighting, candle lighting and side lighting. Students will continue to develop observational skills through assigned and independent painting projects which will include open air paintings of Florence and of the surrounding areas, and in studio works. Students at this level are encouraged to confront and to discuss their projects with the teacher and with other students. A studio fee is required for this course.

Course Code: FNAR 140

Instruction Language: English

This course introduces students to traditional and contemporary drawing techniques and concepts. Students will practice figure drawing, structural drawing, and outdoor drawing in the city of Florence and in the surrounding areas, thus developing both technical abilities and creative responses to the assigned materials and subjects. A wide range of drawing media, such as lead, graphite, charcoal and ink will be experimented. Practical demonstrations, traditional lectures, group and individual critiques will be given throughout the course in order to develop students critical thinking skills. No prior experience with drawing is required. A studio fee is required for this course.

Course Code: FNAR 150

Instruction Language: English

This course is intended for students with little or no previous Painting experience. Students will learn how to handle brushes and mix colours in order to create the illusion of light, shadow, perspective, volume, and proportion. Students will explore different materials and the way to use them, different techniques and the way they have been used by famous master painters of different periods. Assignments will progress from specific exercises intended to build on techniques to complex projects which will include out of doors landscape paintings of the hills around Florence and of the beautiful gardens of the city but also still life and figure painting. A studio fee is required for this course.

Course Code: AHST 210

Instruction Language: English

This course, taught during mandatory site visits, which include Venice and Rome, is a survey of Italian figurative art and architecture from c. 1200 to 1650. Emphasis is put on artistic techniques, styles, patronage, and the political and religious contexts in which the artists worked. During site visits to museums, palaces and churches in Florence, Rome and Venice students will have a unique opportunity to experience the works as their original viewers did and as their creators intended. Participation to Rome and Venice field trips is mandatory. Prerequisite: Intro to fine art or Italian art history, or advisor approval (or equivalent).

Course Code: PHOT 370

Instruction Language: English

Aims to capture everyday life in public places and create realistic images focusing on the way people act and interact with each other and with the environment. Students learn how to use visual intelligence, skills and strategies to create meaningful images that reflect different multicultural realities. They will develop their personal view creating meaningful visual storytelling works. They will study and will be inspired by the works of the masters in this genre from the origins to the present scenario passing through Henri Cartier-Bresson, William Klein, Helen Levitt, and Robert Frank. The course has a strong on–site component and students will be guided to identify meaningful ‘local’ subjects and acquire confidence in photographing people on the streets and in a variety of different situations. Prerequisites: Introductory plus intermediate coursework in photography (or equivalent), or advisor approval. Required Equipment and Fees: A digital single lens photographic camera (DSLR), or Mirrorless: 12,0 megapixels minimum, with an optical zoom lens or a set of interchangeable prime lenses (wide angle and standard/telephoto lens). Laptop, with any photo editing software (Lightroom, Capture One, Photos, Photoshop or any similar). A lab fee of € 60, must be paid in full to the instructor by the first week of the course, is levied on this course mainly for printing Fine Art prints at the final exhibit and creating the students portfolios.

Course Code: AHST 362

Instruction Language: English

The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with the city of Florence and its renowned museums. Students are trained to comprehend the uniqueness of the artistic heritage of the city known as ‘the cradle of Renaissance’. They will have the extraordinary opportunity to experience art in its sites, often churches, as their original viewers did and their creators intended, and in museums, through the visits to the major cultural highlights of Florence such as Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, Santa Croce and the Duomo. Prerequisites: Introductory and intermediate art history, or equivalent (or advisor approval).

Course Code: COMM 340

Instruction Language: English

Fashion in itself is a form of communication with both tangible and intangible elements; often its visual and aesthetic value is greater than its functionality. This course sets out to explore the key developments of communication within the fashion industry, from the early and iconic fashion magazines with their role as promoters of both new images and identity, through the importance of fashion photography to new and developing social media platforms and digital technologies. The means of communication used by fashions firms, brands and companies to communicate their identity will be discussed and seen in light of challenges and opportunities the fashion business faces, such as sustainability, gender identity and the importance of fashion influencers as new key communicators. Prerequisites: Intro Communication of Fashion course, plus intermediate course in communication studies of fashion studies, or advisor approval (or equivalent).

Course Code: HIST 380

Instruction Language: English

This course explores the history of epidemics on a global scale, starting from antiquity to modern days. It will critically engage with classical medical theories, sickness and epidemics in the media and in literature, and it will cover the emerging ecological issues of the last decades. It will examine also how contagion affected different countries and cultures, for example discussing the impact of smallpox in the “New World”, the Americas; the spreading of cholera in the provinces of Asia and in Europe and the diffusion of AIDS in the African continent. The religious context will be considered, especially when dealing with medieval sickness and the plague. It will then analyze sickness through literature, employing Mary Shelley’s work “The Last Man” as one of the first examples of post-apocalyptic novels. Finally, it will critically deal with contemporary pandemics such as COVID-19 and the relationship between humanity and the living world.

Course Code: HIST 345

Instruction Language: English

This course covers the full history of the famous House of Medici from the humble beginnings of founder Giovanni di Bicci and his tyrant son Cosimo, to the extraordinary life of Lorenzo the Magnificent and the final collapse of the house of the Medici with the death of the last Medici Duke in 1737. The Medici where merchants, bankers, statesmen and patrons of the arts thus students are introduced not only to the socio-political history of Florence but also to the philosophical and artistic movements that flourished under their patronage. The course uses primary source readings by such authors as Giovanni Villani, Niccolò Machiavelli, Agnolo Poliziano and Francesco Guicciardini to depict the life of Florence and of the Medici family as perceived by their contemporaries. Students will visit palaces, churches, museums, and galleries, which are relevant to the study of the Medici family. Pre-requisites: Introductory world history course, plus intermediate level Italian studies or history course (or equivalent), or advisor approval.

Course Code: ITAL 401

Instruction Language: Italian

This course prepares students to use advanced grammatical structures and vocabulary, and enables them to interact with the Italian world at a sophisticated level. Students practice understanding of complex lectures and arguments, in both written and oral form. They are expected to become fluent and spontaneous in their verbal interaction, as well as capable of presenting an argument, orally and in writing. Prerequisites: Four/five semesters of Italian and/or a pass at ITAL 301: Intermediate Italian II level, and/or min. 70/100 score on the diagnostic test.

Course Code: ITAL 101

Instruction Language: English

The integrity of the learning process is dependent upon an accepted code of academic honesty. Academic honesty can mean many things including not cheating on tests and quizzes, correctly citing sources in written papers, handing in one’s own work not that of another student, not faking illness to get out of class, etc. Course instructors have considerable flexibility as to how to handle instances of academic dishonesty. In this course, if the instructor concludes that an assessment instrument does NOT represent the true work of the student, the student will receive a zero (0) for that instrument. If it happens twice, the student will receive an F for the course.

Course Code: ITAL 102

Instruction Language: English

This course is designed for students with some knowledge of Italian. It starts with a review of basic grammar and vocabulary before progressing to more complex structures and functions. Conversation is a central part of every class, with opportunities for all students to practice listening and comprehension of authentic material as well as oral and written production.?? They will also have a greater awareness of Italian culture and society.? Prerequisites: ITAL 101 – Elementary Italian I, and/or min. 70/100 score on the diagnostic test.

Course Code: ITAL 201

Instruction Language: Italian

In this course students develop their ability to communicate effectively and accurately, making use of expanded vocabulary. Students practice conversation and improve listening and oral production skills in an authentic Italian context. The course covers cultural elements of the Italian society and lifestyle. Reading and writing exercises improve skills in understanding prose and writing letters and messages with appropriate vocabulary.?? Prerequisites: ITAL 102 – Elementary Italian II, and or min. 70/100 score on the diagnostic test.

Course Code: ITAL 301

Instruction Language: Italian

This course builds upon the abilities and knowledge acquired in Intermediate Italian I and develops them to enable students to understand and respond to complex lines of written and oral arguments.? Students review complex grammar structures and work regularly on reading, composition, phonetics, syntax, and assignments. Constant conversation practice enables them to communicate competently in Italian.? Prerequisites: ITAL 201 – Intermediate Italian I, and or min. 70/100 score on the?diagnostic test.

Course Code: MKTG 340

Instruction Language: English

The marketing of a brand occupies a crucial role in the fashion industry; alongside the creative work of designers and stylists, successful fashion brands will also heavily depend upon marketing plans, publicity, communication and advertising strategies in order to develop their business and brand worth. This course will introduce students to the principles of fashion marketing and explore how the fashion industry faces challenges in the global market and is constantly striving to investigate unconventional and innovative tactics within the field of marketing.

Course Code: MKTG 350

Instruction Language: English

The world of wine is divided in parallel spheres; is wine a cultural expression, a result of passion and tradition, or even an art form? Or is it simply a business, and if so, what business? Wine has deep roots in our Western way of life and this course aims at exploring wine as both an agricultural product but also as a luxury product that is sold on markets. By applying the most relevant theories and techniques from the marketing discipline this course aims to equip students with a powerful set of skills and knowledge for the practice of wine marketing. Students will be introduced to the use of consumer and market behaviour theory, branding and services techniques and business-to-business theory. In combining the understanding of wine both within a cultural context and in a business setting, students will analyse wine as ultimately both a “local” produce, and a “glocal” product.

Course Code: SOCI 362

Instruction Language: English

In exploring the history of Italian foodways, a myriad of aspects of Italy’s culture and history unfold. Through the means of food, this course aims at uncovering various changes and trends in Italian history and society. The most striking factor that emerges is the important role gastronomic traditions have had in shaping Italian national and regional identities. Food as nourishment of body and spirit, as a social divider or unifier, as a means of communication and ultimately as a promoter of power takes us through history up until the contemporary rediscovery of ‘authentic’ and ‘traditional’ foods; a response to on-going globalizing processes and a way to construct new social identities. An ultimate expression of this is the Slow Food Revolution, a movement initiated in Italy that has now worldwide following. Prerequisites: Introductory history or anthropology course, plus intermediate culinary or anthropology course, or advisor approval (or equivalent).

Course Code: SOCI 360

Instruction Language: English

This course aims at discovering some of the key elements of the great social changes and cultural issues that came about in Italy during the post-war period. From the early 1950s on, a sense of new beginning and the birth of what later would be known world-wide as the Italian Style, would characterize most spheres of productive and cultural life such as fashion, design, film, and music. The coexistence of tradition and innovation has been a main feature in contemporary Italy; this course will focus on Italian cultural expressions like foodways, Italian cuisine and wine, and the impact of change in relation to new dynamics in family life and gender roles, in popular beliefs and superstition.

Course Code: SOCI 353 (Required)

Instruction Language: English

Analyzing the role of soccer in Italian society the course provides unique opportunities to investigate and understand the multidimensional features of contemporary Italian identity. Through sociological lenses, the course examines the role of soccer within Italian history, culture, politics, media environment, and social change. The main focus is on the socio-cultural dynamics of the relationship between soccer and Italian society. Field trips to matches at the local soccer stadium are an essential part of the course. Students can have field experiences and interpret the social dynamics of sporting events, adopting a comparative, cross-cultural perspective. Pre-requisites: Introductory plus intermediate coursework in sociology (or equivalent), or advisor approval.