COURSE DETAILS

This semester-long program allows students to retrace the steps of Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance cultures by living and studying in three cities which embody these civilizations in all their richness and splendor: Tuscania, Rome and Venice (Spring Semester) or Florence (Fall Semester).

Students spend one month in Tuscania followed by one month in Rome, and then they complete the experience in Venice or Florence. They follow a structured and integrated program of five 3-credit courses, which together comprise both a unique investigation into the roots of Western civilization and a solid grounding in Italian language and culture.

Classes meet every day Monday through Thursday and amount to a total of 45 contact hours per course. There are two mandatory 3-credit courses in the first center, Tuscania: an Italian language course and an introduction to the ancient civilizations of the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans. In the second center, Rome, students take one 3-credit course on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. A second 3-credit course in Italian language is initiated in Rome and completed in the third center, Venice or Florence. In addition to completing this language course, in Venice students conclude the Three Cities experience by taking a 3-credit course entitled "Venice and the East."

Students' living and learning in the three locations is closely supported by LdM's expert and experienced team of advisors, support staff and faculty.

The program has no special prerequisites, and is designed for all students interested in experiencing the three locations and learning about Western culture.

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First Month: TUSCANIA

Second Month: ROME

Third Month: FLORENCE

FALL 2012 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CLA 275 T / HIS 275 T - Greeks, Etruscans and Romans

This course presents a survey of the extraordinarily rich civilizations that thrived in Italy and the Mediterranean from the 8th century BCE to the 5th century CE. Through colonization of southern Italy and other forms of contact (e.g. trade, war, cultural exchange), the Greeks had a fundamental impact on both the Etruscans of central Italy and their conquerors, the Romans. The course investigates the political, social, cultural and religious dimensions of these civilizations, engaging with surviving literature, art and architecture to help students understand the ancient peoples, values and lifestyles that lie at the heart of the modern Western experience. The location of the course in Tuscania provides students with the unique opportunity to explore first-hand a number of Etruscan burial sites and the treasures that have been uncovered there.

NUH 016 T - The Food of Italy: a Gastronomic Tour of the Regions

Although Italian cuisine as whole is characterized by distinctive features, it is still the result of many different regional culinary traditions that, in today’s Italy, maintain their variety in terms of particular flavors and distinct ingredients. Participants in this short non-credit course will learn about culinary differences across the country and the cultural traditions to which they are linked. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will enhance their culinary skills and knowledge of Italian cuisine through preparing a variety of Italian regional dishes for everyone to taste.

HIS 292 R - Medieval and Renaissance Transitions

Beginning with the decline of Roman civilization described in the course “Greeks, Etruscans and Romans”, this course explores the remarkable series of transitions that Western civilization underwent from the 5th to the 15th century CE, focusing especially on the Italian perspective and on the reorientation of values experienced with the coming of the Renaissance. Topics include: the barbarian invasions, medieval Christianity, the Crusades, the rise of the Italian city states, the Black Death, medieval and Renaissance art and culture, and Rome during the fifteenth century. Site visits in Rome will form an essential component of the course.

ART 210 F - Leonardo: Art and Science

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), more than any other figure, represents the Renaissance confidence in the boundless faculties of the human mind. This course will examine Leonardo's life and works in their historical contexts. It will stress Leonardo’s relentless quest for the knowledge of man and nature, both as an artist and as a "scientist". The course will also include an analysis of Leonardo's most significant paintings and drawings, showing his elaboration of a highly articulated visual language; and an examination of the manuscripts and collections of miscellaneous papers compiled by Leonardo, who throughout his life kept records of all his research embracing every field of learning. The course will cover the breadth and variety of Leonardo's interests in art, technology and "natural sciences", placing him in the culture of his time, exploring his impact on Western art and civilization, and attempting to assess his extraordinary legacy.

ITL 101 - 3-Credit Italian Language Elementary 1

This level is for absolute beginner students who have never studied Italian before: it is the first of six levels and its aim is to give the basis of the language, allowing students to deal with the most common everyday understanding, speaking, reading and writing - are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life. Grammar: definite and indefinite article, noun-adjective agreement. Regular present tense, to have, to be, there is-there are, main irregular verbs, prepositions and verbs of movement, present perfect, most common irregular past participles. Possessives. The verb piacere. Present progressive form. Some thematic areas covered: Introducing oneself. In a café. Shopping for food. In a restaurant. Daily life and spare time. At the railway station. Expressing the time. Describing someone. The family. Finding the way. Talking about one's past. Talking about vacations.

ITL 102 - 3-Credit Italian Language Elementary 2

This is the second of six levels. This course is for those students who have completed one semester (or equivalent) of Italian and who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and basic knowledge of elementary structures of the language. By the end of the semester students should be able to complete simple and routine tasks requiring an exchange of information on familiar and routine matters, to describe their background, immediate environment and matters related to areas relevant to everyday life. All of the four main language abilities -understanding, speaking, reading and writing- are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life. Grammar: in-depth review of Elementary 1 level contents: definite and indefinite article; present tense; present perfect. Simple and compound prepositions. Reflexive verbs. Future. Imperfect: forms and usage. Direct pronouns. Indirect pronouns. Introduction to Present Conditional. Interrogative pronouns. Some thematic areas covered: Shopping in Italy. Daily routine. Habits in the past. Italian festivities. Talking about future plans. Italian food. In a hotel. At the station. Asking for information. Literature: reading of appropriate literary passages.

ITL 201 - 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 1

This course is the third of six levels. It is directed towards the acquisition of more complex structures to express personal opinions and preferences. By the end of the course students should be able to enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (i.e. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events); to narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or a movie; to write correct texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Grammar: Review and strengthening of previous level contents (present, past and future tenses). Past perfect. “Ne” and “ci”. Prepositions. Combined pronouns. Indefinite adjectives and pronouns. Present and past conditional. Linking words. Review of impersonal forms. Interrogative pronouns. Subjunctive: present and past. Some thematic areas covered: Italian geography. Italian food and cuisine. Holidays. Driving in Italy. Dwellings. Means of transport. At the doctor’s. At a restaurant. Reading: De Giuli, Naddeo Modelle, pistole e mozzarelle, Italiano facile, Alma.

ITL 202 - 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 2

This course is the fourth of six levels. It is directed towards the acquisition of more complex structures to express personal opinions and preferences. The course introduces students to contemporary Italian society by exploiting different sources including literature, newspapers, films, TV broadcasting, pictures. By the end of the course students should be able to show a high degree of understanding of complex written and spoken texts and respond appropriately to them, both orally and in writing. Grammar: Review and expansion of contents of previous levels. Forms and use of the subjunctive mood. Formal and informal imperative. Imperative with pronouns. Passato Remoto. Infinitive and gerund. Degrees of comparison. Passive voice. Relative pronouns. Conditional clauses. Reported speech. Some thematic areas covered: Famous Italians of the past. Issues of contemporary history and culture. Sports in Italy. Immigration. Italian fashion. Local handicrafts. Travelling in Italy. Italian cinema. Reading: Moravia, Sette racconti, Easy Readers.

ITL 301 - 3-Credit Italian Language Advanced 1

This is the fifth of six levels and is for students who have a solid grammatical/lexical basis in Italian. By working with different types of authentic materials (newspaper/ magazine articles, literature passages, songs, news) and through an in-depth grammar review – to be completed in the next level – students will achieve a high degree of language fluency. By the end of the course students should be able to understand most TV news and current affairs programs; read contemporary literary prose; write clear texts about a wide range of subjects including reports; pass information; give reasons in support or against a particular point of view; interact with a degree of fluency that makes communication with native speakers possible without strain for either side. Grammar: Consolidation of some structures of the previous levels . The prefixes ri- and re-. Impersonal verbs. Revision and reinforcement of the subjunctive. Subjunctive with conjunctions. Simple conditional + imperfect subjunctive. If-clauses of the 2nd type. Consolidation of passato remoto. Stare vs essere. Passive form with essere, venire and with si. Relative pronouns il quale, colui che. Impersonal form with an adjective and of a reflexive verb. Readings and thematic areas. Changes in the Italian language. Crime and justice in Italy. Advertising and typical Italian products. Immigration in Italy. Literary passages by Calvino, Buzzati, Ginzburg, Moravia included in Raccontare il Novecento.

ITL 302 - 3-Credit Italian Language Advanced 2

This is the last of six levels, and it is for students who are fluent in Italian and who can understand most TV news and current affairs programs, contemporary literary prose, can write clear texts about a wide range of subjects without much effort, plus can interact with a high degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers. They will work with different types of original materials (newspaper/ magazine articles, literature excerpts, songs, news) and complete an in-depth grammar review started in previous level. By the end of the course students should be able to formulate ideas and opinions with precision and recognize a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, as well as apply register shifts. Grammar: Review of some structures of the previous levels. Plusperfect subjunctive. Past conditional. Participles. Indefinite adjectives and pronouns. Review of prepositions. If clauses of the third type. Future in the past. Trapassato remoto. Review of prepositions and verbs + prepositions. Comparatives. Position of pronouns. Gerund, infinitive, participle. Compound nouns. Tense agreement with indicative and subjunctive. Reported speech. Readings and thematic areas: Body and health. Italian literature. Politics in Italy. Italian music. Contemporary Italian playwrights.

First Month: TUSCANIA

Second Month: ROME

Third Month: VENICE

SPRING 2012 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CLA 275 T / HIS 275 T - Greeks, Etruscans and Romans
This course presents a survey of the extraordinarily rich civilizations that thrived in Italy and the Mediterranean from the 8th century BCE to the 5th century CE. Through colonization of southern Italy and other forms of contact (e.g. trade, war, cultural exchange), the Greeks had a fundamental impact on both the Etruscans of central Italy and their conquerors, the Romans. The course investigates the political, social, cultural and religious dimensions of these civilizations, engaging with surviving literature, art and architecture to help students understand the ancient peoples, values and lifestyles that lie at the heart of the modern Western experience. The location of the course in Tuscania provides students with the unique opportunity to explore first-hand a number of Etruscan burial sites and the treasures that have been uncovered there.

NUH 016 T - The Food of Italy: a Gastronomic Tour of the Regions (OPTIONAL NON-CREDIT)
Although Italian cuisine as whole is characterized by distinctive features, it is still the result of many different regional culinary traditions that, in today's Italy, maintain their variety in terms of particular flavors and distinct ingredients. Participants in this short non-credit course will learn about culinary differences across the country and the cultural traditions to which they are linked. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will enhance their culinary skills and knowledge of Italian cuisine through preparing a variety of Italian regional dishes for everyone to taste.

HIS 292 R - Medieval and Renaissance Transitions
Beginning with the decline of Roman civilization described in the course "Greeks, Etruscans and Romans," this course explores the remarkable series of transitions that Western civilization underwent from the 5th to the 15th century CE, focusing especially on the Italian perspective and on the reorientation of values experienced with the coming of the Renaissance. Topics include: the barbarian invasions, medieval Christianity, the Crusades, the rise of the Italian city states, the Black Death, medieval and Renaissance art and culture, and Rome during the fifteenth century. Site visits in Rome will form an essential component of the course.

HIS 312 V - Venice and the East
The course examines the most important European maritime city-state at the climax of its power, from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Through trade, sea-power and cultural exchanges the Venetians and their empire had a fundamental impact on European civilization and values, connecting as it did the continent with the Near and Far East. The course presents a multidisciplinary investigation of its influences, achievements, and attitudes. The period covers the more than five centuries of expansion and engagement with the East, with particular attention to Venice's imperial era. Through study of the Venetian heritage, in the form of literature, music, art and architecture, often by direct contact with institutions, treasures, and monuments, students learn about the political, social, cultural and religious dimensions of this unique republic. Specific issues to be examined include: The development of political and economic power, Mediterranean networks, merchant activities and social life, Venice as the gate to the Orient, the Ottomans and Venice, Venetian art, print culture and liberty of thought.

ITL 101 - 3-Credit Italian Language Elementary 1
This level is for absolute beginner students who have never studied Italian before: it is the first of six levels and its aim is to give the basis of the language, allowing students to deal with the most common everyday understanding, speaking, reading and writing - are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life. Grammar: definite and indefinite article, noun-adjective agreement. Regular present tense, to have, to be, there is-there are, main irregular verbs, prepositions and verbs of movement, present perfect, most common irregular past participles. Possessives. The verb piacere. Present progressive form. Some thematic areas covered: Introducing oneself. In a café. Shopping for food. In a restaurant. Daily life and spare time. At the railway station. Expressing the time. Describing someone. The family. Finding the way. Talking about one's past. Talking about vacations.

ITL 102 - 3-Credit Italian Language Elementary 2
This is the second of six levels. This course is for those students who have completed one semester (or equivalent) of Italian and who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and basic knowledge of elementary structures of the language. By the end of the semester students should be able to complete simple and routine tasks requiring an exchange of information on familiar and routine matters, to describe their background, immediate environment and matters related to areas relevant to everyday life. All of the four main language abilities -understanding, speaking, reading and writing- are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life. Grammar: in-depth review of Elementary 1 level contents: definite and indefinite article; present tense; present perfect. Simple and compound prepositions. Reflexive verbs. Future. Imperfect: forms and usage. Direct pronouns. Indirect pronouns. Introduction to Present Conditional. Interrogative pronouns. Some thematic areas covered: Shopping in Italy. Daily routine. Habits in the past. Italian festivities. Talking about future plans. Italian food. In a hotel. At the station. Asking for information. Literature: reading of appropriate literary passages.

ITL 201 - 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 1
This course is the third of six levels. It is directed towards the acquisition of more complex structures to express personal opinions and preferences. By the end of the course students should be able to enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (i.e. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events); to narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or a movie; to write correct texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Grammar: Review and strengthening of previous level contents (present, past and future tenses). Past perfect. "Ne" and "ci". Prepositions. Combined pronouns. Indefinite adjectives and pronouns. Present and past conditional. Linking words. Review of impersonal forms. Interrogative pronouns. Subjunctive: present and past. Some thematic areas covered: Italian geography. Italian food and cuisine. Holidays. Driving in Italy. Dwellings. Means of transport. At the doctor's. At a restaurant. Reading: De Giuli, Naddeo Modelle, pistole e mozzarelle, Italiano facile, Alma.

ITL 202 - 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 2
This course is the fourth of six levels. It is directed towards the acquisition of more complex structures to express personal opinions and preferences. The course introduces students to contemporary Italian society by exploiting different sources including literature, newspapers, films, TV broadcasting, pictures. By the end of the course students should be able to show a high degree of understanding of complex written and spoken texts and respond appropriately to them, both orally and in writing. Grammar: Review and expansion of contents of previous levels. Forms and use of the subjunctive mood. Formal and informal imperative. Imperative with pronouns. Passato Remoto. Infinitive and gerund. Degrees of comparison. Passive voice. Relative pronouns. Conditional clauses. Reported speech. Some thematic areas covered: Famous Italians of the past. Issues of contemporary history and culture. Sports in Italy. Immigration. Italian fashion. Local handicrafts. Travelling in Italy. Italian cinema. Reading: Moravia, Sette racconti, Easy Readers.

ITL 301 - 3-Credit Italian Language Advanced 1
This is the fifth of six levels and is for students who have a solid grammatical/lexical basis in Italian. By working with different types of authentic materials (newspaper/ magazine articles, literature passages, songs, news) and through an in-depth grammar review - to be completed in the next level - students will achieve a high degree of language fluency. By the end of the course students should be able to understand most TV news and current affairs programs; read contemporary literary prose; write clear texts about a wide range of subjects including reports; pass information; give reasons in support or against a particular point of view; interact with a degree of fluency that makes communication with native speakers possible without strain for either side. Grammar: Consolidation of some structures of the previous levels . The prefixes ri- and re-. Impersonal verbs. Revision and reinforcement of the subjunctive. Subjunctive with conjunctions. Simple conditional + imperfect subjunctive. If-clauses of the 2nd type. Consolidation of passato remoto. Stare vs essere. Passive form with essere, venire and with si. Relative pronouns il quale, colui che. Impersonal form with an adjective and of a reflexive verb. Readings and thematic areas. Changes in the Italian language. Crime and justice in Italy. Advertising and typical Italian products. Immigration in Italy. Literary passages by Calvino, Buzzati, Ginzburg, Moravia included in Raccontare il Novecento.

ITL 302 - 3-Credit Italian Language Advanced 2
This is the last of six levels, and it is for students who are fluent in Italian and who can understand most TV news and current affairs programs, contemporary literary prose, can write clear texts about a wide range of subjects without much effort, plus can interact with a high degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers. They will work with different types of original materials (newspaper/ magazine articles, literature excerpts, songs, news) and complete an in-depth grammar review started in previous level. By the end of the course students should be able to formulate ideas and opinions with precision and recognize a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, as well as apply register shifts. Grammar: Review of some structures of the previous levels. Plusperfect subjunctive. Past conditional. Participles. Indefinite adjectives and pronouns. Review of prepositions. If clauses of the third type. Future in the past. Trapassato remoto. Review of prepositions and verbs + prepositions. Comparatives. Position of pronouns. Gerund, infinitive, participle. Compound nouns. Tense agreement with indicative and subjunctive. Reported speech. Readings and thematic areas: Body and health. Italian literature. Politics in Italy. Italian music. Contemporary Italian playwrights.

Fall 2012 Course Descriptions

ITL 101 T - Regular Italian Language - Beginning Level 1
No prerequisites for admission. This level is for absolute beginner students who have never studied Italian before: it is the first of six levels and its aim is to give the basis of the language, allowing students to deal with the most common everyday situations by expressing themselves in the present and in the past tense. All the four main language abilities - understanding, speaking, reading and writing - are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life. Grammar: definite and indefinite article, noun-adjective agreement. Regular present tense, to have, to be, there is-there are, main irregular verbs, prepositions and verbs of movement, present perfect, most common irregular past participles. Possessive (adjectives and pronouns). Direct pronouns, the verb piacere. Some thematic areas covered: introducing oneself. Food and restaurant. Daily life and spare time. Finding the way. At the hotel. Shopping: In a clothing shop. Inviting someone to do something. Accepting-refusing. Talking about one's past.

ITL 201 T - Regular Italian Language - Intermediate Level 1
This course is for those students who have completed one semester (or equivalent) of Italian and who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and basic knowledge of elementary structures of the language. Course description and objectives: Students will be able to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring an exchange of information on familiar and routine matters, to describe his/her background, immediate environment and matters related to areas of most immediate relevance. Grammar: Review of the previous level. Reflexive verbs. Future. Stare + gerund. Imperfect: forms and usage. Indirect pronouns. Impersonal form. Imperative, formal and informal. Negative imperative, imperative and pronouns. Interrogative pronouns. Some areas covered: Shopping. Family. Habits in the past. Invite, accept, refuse, give alternative offer. To give advice. Italian festivities. Houses. Planning. Talking about food. Town. How to give directions and instructions. Literature: reading of appropriate literary passages.

ITC 230 R - Italian Language and Culture
This course, taught both in English and Italian, aims to give students a full immersion in Italian language and culture. All of the four main language abilities -understanding, speaking, reading and writing- are gradually developed, and the course will be taught at the appropriate language level, depending on students' knowledge and skills. The language elements is taught within a cultural context that helps students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian life today. Thus (in English) the course examines key aspects in the arts and society of contemporary Italy, as well as political and social phenomena and key events in Italian history. Students who successfully complete the course will come away with an interdisciplinary perspective on the development of Italian civilization, a greater appreciation of Italy's heritage, and a richer understanding of contemporary Italian society. They will also refine their knowledge and appreciation of the language through exposure to different kinds of texts.

CLA 275 T / HIS 275 T - Greeks, Etruscans and Romans
This course presents a survey of the extraordinarily rich civilizations that thrived in Italy and the Mediterranean from the 8th century BCE to the 5th century CE. Through colonization of southern Italy and other forms of contact (e.g. trade, war, cultural exchange), the Greeks had a fundamental impact on both the Etruscans of central Italy and their conquerors, the Romans. The course investigates the political, social, cultural and religious dimensions of these civilizations, engaging with surviving literature, art and architecture to help students understand the ancient peoples, values and lifestyles that lie at the heart of the modern Western experience. The location of the course in Tuscania provides students with the unique opportunity to explore first-hand a number of Etruscan burial sites and the treasures that have been uncovered there.

HIS 292 R - Medieval and Renaissance Transitions
Beginning with the decline of Roman civilization described in the course "Greeks, Etruscans and Romans", this course explores the remarkable series of transitions that Western civilization underwent from the 5th to the 15th century CE, focusing especially on the Italian perspective and on the reorientation of values experienced with the coming of the Renaissance. Topics include: the barbarian invasions, medieval Christianity, the Crusades, the rise of the Italian city states, the Black Death, medieval and Renaissance art and culture, and Rome during the fifteenth century. Site visits in Rome will form an essential component of the course.

ART 210 F - Leonardo: Art and Science
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), more than any other figure, represents the Renaissance confidence in the boundless faculties of the human mind. This course will examine Leonardo's life and works in their historical contexts. It will stress Leonardo's relentless quest for the knowledge of man and nature, both as an artist and as a "scientist". The course will also include an analysis of Leonardo's most significant paintings and drawings, showing his elaboration of a highly articulated visual language; and an examination of the manuscripts and collections of miscellaneous papers compiled by Leonardo, who throughout his life kept records of all his research embracing every field of learning. The course will cover the breadth and variety of Leonardo's interests in art, technology and "natural sciences", placing him in the culture of his time, exploring his impact on Western art and civilization, and attempting to assess his extraordinary legacy.

HIS 312 V - Venice and the East
The course presents a multidisciplinary investigation of the most important European maritime city-state at the climax of its power, analyzing its influences in all fields of European civilization. The period covers the more than five centuries of expansion and engagement with the East, from the 12th century to the 17th century, with particular attention to Venice's imperial era (14th to 17th centuries). Through trade, sea-power and cultural exchanges the Venetians had a fundamental impact on both Italy and the Mediterranean world, connecting Europe to the Near and Far East. The course outlines the political, social, cultural and religious dimensions of this unique republic, with reference to literature, art and architecture, in order to help students understand a culture whose ideas and lifestyle contributed so much to the development of modern Western values. Through direct and vivid contact with the Venetian heritage, students will have the opportunity to explore first-hand a number of institutions, treasures, and monuments that illustrate the impressive history of the "Repubblica Serenissima di Venezia".