Villanova University/ Universita degli Studi di Urbino. Urbino, Italy
Nestled in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, the city of Urbino played a significant role in the Italian Renaissance and offers a unique climate for Villanova students to participate in the Italian language, culture, and lifestyle for a year or a semester. For over 20 years, Villanova University has partnered with the University of Urbino (Universitá degli Studi di Urbino) to provide a summer program for students wishing to improve their language skills. From this longstanding partnership has come an exciting opportunity for Villanova students to study the Italian language and to enroll in courses directly at the University of Urbino, taught in English and in Italian, during the regular school year.
Academic Program
Villanova students who choose to spend a year or semester in Urbino will benefit from a program that combines intensive language study with coursework taught in English or in Italian, by one of the ten University of Urbino academic faculties. The academic program for Villanova students at the University of Urbino focuses on required language study and also offers a selection of Italian art, culture, history and business courses taught in English. Students with a prior knowledge of Italian may opt to enroll in one or more regular Italian-taught courses in any of the University’s ten academic departments. Because some content courses are offered in English, students do not need to possess a background in the Italian language to participate in this program, however it is highly recommended. Participating students should be willing to immerse themselves in the Italian language.
All Villanova students are required to complete a full-time course load for the semester including the pre-semester intensive Italian language, the Italian language course, the Villanova Italian Studies Seminar, and 2-3 additional courses.
- REQUIRED - Pre-session Intensive Language course
- REQUIRED - Language course during semester
- Elective - (In English or Italian)
- Elective - (In English or Italian)
Required Component - Villanova Italian Studies Seminar - ITA4130
The Villanova program in Urbino provides participating students with an opportunity to explore all aspects of Italian life, from the early years of the Renaissance to modern day issues that currently affect the country. To further emphasize the study of modern Italy, the Villanova Italian Studies Program offers a semester-long seminar series that covers a variety of topics related to contemporary Italian society. Sample topics include: the family, religion, immigration, politics, the educational system, and corruption. Villanova students will receive a letter grade that will count towards their GPA for this Italian Studies Seminar.
Required Components - Italian Language Courses
The required language study consists of two parts and will place students at their level of Italian ability, from true beginner to advanced.
The pre-session intensive language course is taught during the first few weeks in Urbino at the Centro Linguistico d'Ateneo and will count as a three-credit Villanova language course. This intensive course prepares students to use their language skills in everyday life. Students who participate in the fall program will be placed in these intensive classes with other international students from across Europe. Due to the University’s academic calendar, students who participate in the spring program will be placed in these intensive classes with other Villanova students. Students will receive transfer credit for this class.
After the completion of the pre-semester intensive language program, all Villanova students will enroll with other non-Italian students in a three-credit Italian language course taught in Urbino. This language course will supplement students’ out-of-classroom language practice and will run through the end of each semester. Students will receive transfer credit for this class.
Elective Offerings - English-Taught Courses at the University of Urbino
In addition to the required Italian language study and the Villanova Italian Studies seminar, all Villanova students will enroll in two-three other courses at the University of Urbino. Students can choose to enroll in only English-taught courses, only Italian-taught courses or a combination of the two options.
English-taught courses can be found in a number of Urbino’s Departments (Facoltà). Currently, The Department of Foreign Language and Literature (Facoltà di Lingue e Letterature Straniere) offers two English-taught area studies courses in conjunction with an Italian Masters program that is preparing Italian students to become Italian language professors. The Department of Economics (Facoltà di Economia) also offers a selection of courses taught in English each semester. Villanova students who enroll in any of these English-taught courses will have the benefit of learning alongside Italian students. Not only do these Italian students have a strong background in English, but they also have a particular interest in working with foreign students and will certainly be a positive influence to any Villanova student’s experience in Urbino.
Department of Foreign Language and Literature English-taught
- Italian Cultural Studies (3 credits): The course introduces students to contemporary Italian culture, focusing in particular on those features that are peculiar to Italy and make it famous worldwide. Course topics include Italian cinema (from post-war neo-realism to Federico Fellini and closing with Nanni Moretti's most recent pictures), Italian applied arts (fashion and graphics), as well as Italian theatre and music. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the fundamental contributions of contemporary Italian culture and applied arts to Western culture and will be able to appreciate its influence throughout the world.
- Contemporary History and Geography in Italy (3 credits): After an introduction to the physical and human geography of Italy, the course will focus on some crucial themes of contemporary Italian history. Course topics will include Fascism and the Second World War, the diaspora of emigration, the Mafia and post-communism. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the physical and political features of the country and will be able to fit the history of Italy into the broader framework of contemporary European and world political history.
- Italian Art History (3 credits): The aim of this course is to investigate the concept of the Renaissance and its forms of visual expression. We will use a wide lens to locate Renaissance artistic innovation and interpretation in the long path of Western development from the break-up of the Roman Empire to the beginning of industrialization.
Department of Economics English-taught courses (Pending course approval and sufficient student participation)
- Business Marketing Management
- Economic Policy
- Economics and Management of small and medium sized businesses
- Economics of Innovation
- Human Resource Management
- International Accounting
- International Industrial Economics
- Intercultural Management Competence
- Public Finance
- Services Management and Marketing
Elective Offerings - Italian-taught courses at the University of Urbino
Villanova students who have a background in the Italian language can enroll in Italian-taught university courses in any one of the ten University of Urbino academic departments. Students can search for potential course offerings using the University of Urbino search tool. Choose the Facoltà (department) of interest and a list of potential course offerings, along with descriptions will be displayed.
Some classes may consist of lectures in Italian, but will offer exams in English, so students do not need to be fluent in Italian to enroll in an Italian-taught course, though it will help to have a background in the area of study.
Upon arrival in Urbino, Villanova students will be advised by the on-site resident director and the University of Urbino's Registrar's Office as to which Italian-taught courses will be the best fit for each student and their schedule.
Students must be flexible during this registration time and Villanova cannot guarantee enrollment in to a particular class. All students who have a background in Italian will be encouraged to consider enrolling in at least one Italian-taught university course during their time in Urbino. Some of these courses (but not all) offer English-language support material and English language tutoring. These arrangements must be made through consultation with the Villanova Resident Director in conjunction with the course professor.
Elective Offerings - Studio Art
Students also have the option of enrolling in a course offered by a local Italian artist and professor. The course focuses on the theory and creation of contemporary art and will allow student to explore their own creativity through different artistic media. Villanova students will receive a letter grade that will count towards their GPA for this SAR1000 class.
Students will live in dorm-style accomodations along side Italian students. The residences are located within a 15 minute walk from the center of town and university buildings. A partial meal plan is included but students should budget to buy some meals during the semester.
NOTICE: Villanova University reserves the right to modify or cancel the Program if circumstances warrant.
