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ACADEMIC PROGRAM INFO

• Fall or Spring Semester; Academic Year
• Open to college sophomores, juniors and seniors
• Minimum 2.8 GPA
• Courses take place in Tuscania (month 1), Rome (month 2) and Venice (month 3)
• Official transcript from Scuola Lorenzo de' Medici
• U.S. accredited transcripts available, if necessary, through Marist College in New York (Transcript FAQs)

SCHOOL: LORENZO de' MEDICI
Athena's partner school in Italy, Lorenzo de Medici (LdM), has been successfully schooling students for over 30 years. They now present a radically new conception of the semester abroad.

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.

Students spend one month in Tuscania followed by one month in Rome, and then they complete the experience in Venice. 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. 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.

View course descriptions »

MONTH 1: Tuscania
Department of Italian Language:

• 3-Credit Italian Language (ITL 101 T / ITL 201 T)*

Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 9:00 – 11:30am

* Italian language courses are offered at Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Appropriate level will be determined by a placement test.

Departments of Classical Studies and History:

• Greeks, Etruscans and Romans (CLA 275 T / HIS 275 T)

Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 12:30 – 3:00pm

Optional non-credit course (for an additional cost):

• The Food of Italy: a Gastronomic Tour of the Regions (NUH 016 T)

Cr: 0; Contact hrs: 8
Mondays 5:00 - 7:00pm

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MONTH 2: Rome
Department of Italian Language:

• 3-Credit Italian Language (ITL 102 R / ITL 201 R)*

Credits in Rome: 1.5; Contact hrs in Rome: 22.5
Monday to Thursday, 12:30 – 1:45pm
(Note: This course is completed in the third month of the program.)

Department of History:

• Medieval and Renaissance Transitions (HIS 292 R)

Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 2:30 – 5:00pm

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MONTH 3: Venice

Department of Italian Language:

• 3-Credit Italian Language (ITL 201 V / ITL 202 V)

Credits in Florence: 1.5; Contact hrs in Florence: 22.5
Monday to Thursday, 1:00 – 2:15pm
(Note: This completes the Italian language course began in Rome.)

Department of History:

• Venice and the East (HIS 312 V)

Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 9:30 – 12:00pm

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MONTH 1: Tuscania
Department of Italian Language:
• Regular Italian Language (ITL 101 T / ITL 201 T)*
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 12:00 – 2.30pm
* Italian language courses are offered at Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced levels.
Appropriate level will be determined by a placement test.

Departments of Classical Studies and History:
• Greeks, Etruscans and Romans (CLA 275 T / HIS 275 T)
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 9:00 – 11.30am

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MONTH 2: Rome
Department of Italian Language:
• Italian Language and Culture (ITC 230 R)
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 12:00 – 2.30pm
Department of History:
• Medieval and Renaissance Transitions (HIS 292 R)
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 3:00 – 5.30pm

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MONTH 3: OPTION 1: Florence
Department of Art History:
• Leonardo: Art and Science (ART 210 F)
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 12:00 – 2.30pm

OR

MONTH 3: OPTION 2: Venice
Department of History:
• Venice and the East (HIS 312 V)
Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45
Monday to Thursday, 9:30 – 12.00pm

View course descriptions »

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Course Descriptions Spring 2010

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”.

ITL 101  -  3-Credit Italian Language Beginning
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 201  -  3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 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 beginning level contents. Reflexive verbs. Future. Imperfect: forms and usage. Direct pronouns. Indirect pronouns. Present Conditional.  Interrogative pronouns. Some areas covered: Shopping.  Habits in the past. Invite, accept, refuse, give alternative offer. Giving advice. Health and medicines. Italian festivities. Talking about future plans Talking about food. Tourism.  Giving directions and instructions. Literature: reading of appropriate literary passages.

ITL 202  -  3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 2
Directed toward the acquisition of more complex structures, this level is for those students who have completed two semesters or equivalent of Italian and who already have an active knowledge of elementary structures of the language. Grammar: Review of the previous levels’ contents. Regular and irregular comparatives and  superlatives of adjectives and adverbs. Prepositions and verbs. Relative pronouns. Combined pronouns, use and positioning. Conditional. Imperative. Introduction to subjunctive. Impersonal form. Some areas covered: Cinema: a film review. Eating habits. Italian Festivities. Sport. Geography: Italian Regions. Jobs. House. Biography. Literature: Reading of literary passages.

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Course Descriptions Fall 2009

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".