Location: Siena, Italy - Villanova University & the Universitá degli Studi di Siena

Dates

Trip Dates: May 19-June 30, 2013
Orientation Dates: TBD

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MARCH 15, 2013 - APPLY NOW!

Program

The purpose of this program is to introduce students to Italy's history, art, religion and society, with particular emphasis on the Renaissance. Courses are taught by faculty from Villanova University and by Italian instructors from the Università degli Studi di Siena. All courses are designed to complement a variety of majors and can be used to satisfy core requirements. Villanova will be working with the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES), who has an institute, facilities, and staff in Siena.

Villanova students should be sure to check with your college to verify that your course selection will satisfy core requirements. College of Arts & Science students: Art History courses will satisfy the Fine Arts requirement; History and Theology courses count as the Advanced History and Theology courses. College of Nursing students: Theology course satisfies the Theology elective requirement or free elective; History can be used as Social Science elective; Art History courses can be used as free electives. College of Engineering students: Theology course counts toward any of the Theology requirements/electives except Theology 1050/1040 requirement; History and Art History will count as core electives. Villanova School of Business students: Theology requirement and the History course fulfills the History elective requirement. Art History can be used for the Humanities requirement.

Additional Academic Requirements

No language proficiency required. All courses taught in English. Minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA required for admission into program.

Course Offerings

Courses fill on a rolling basis. If there is a course you would like or need to take, please ensure that you apply early. Students choose 2 of the following courses for a total of 6 credits:

AAH 2002 - Renaissance Art
New trends and forms in European Art from 1300 to 1600; an examination of leading artists, their lives and works: Giotto, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, among others.  3 credits

AAH 2008 The Renaissance City
The use of art and architecture to create the identity of Italian Renaissance cities, particularly Siena. 3 credits

HIS 3126 History of Italian Cities
The political, economic, and cultural growth of the Italian City States. 3 credits

THL 3800 The Church in Italy
The theology, worship, clergy, art and popular piety of the Medieval Catholic Church in Italy seen through the contemporary Church, particularly in Siena. 3 credits

Arrival  and Excursions

Students traveling on the optional group flight will travel by bus from Rome to Siena. Alternate travel information to Siena will be given to students who arrive independently of the group.

Upon arrival in Siena, students will have an orientation which will cover health and safety, culture, and living in Siena. The orientation will include a walking tour of Siena to familiarize students with their new home.

Students will spend one day in Florence where they will be part of a guided tour of Florence. Entrance fees to the Accademia and Uffizi are included. Students will also travel by bus to Venice for two nights. Accommodations and a guided tour of the Ducal Palace are also included in the excursion. In addition to these two excursions, a day trip is planned San Gimignano and Volterra. This excursion will include round-trip bus transportation, a guided tour, admission to the Town Museum, Cathedral, Torture Museum in San Gimignano and admission to the Town Museum, Pinacoteca, Etruscan Museum, and Holy Art Museum in Volterra. No meals are included. Additionally, information will be available to students concerning other cultural activities in and around Siena.

Finally, at the end of the program students will travel by bus and spend three nights in Rome. In Rome, students will take a guided tour of the historic center of Rome. A farewell dinner, a visit to the Vatican Museums, and other entrance fees to places of interest will be included. Transportation to the airport for the return group flight and will be provided.

Transportation

The group will fly from JFK to Rome and be transferred to Siena by bus. All surface transfers in Italy will occur by private, air-conditioned buses from the group's point of arrival in Italy to the group's point of departure for the United States. Flight Arrangements are made directly by the students through a travel agent designated by Villanova University. Other flight arrangements can be made, provided that students arrive in Siena by the first day of classes.

Cell Phones

All students must have cell phones that function in Italy. American cell phones normally do not. Program participants can lease mobile phones through PicCell. Information about PicCell will be distributed in the spring. Information is also available at http://www.piccellwireless.com/ies.

Itinerary 2013

NOTICE: Villanova University reserve the right to modify or cancel the program if circumstances warrant.