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Humanism in the Renaissance
Semester in Florence
Fall 2008
Invitation
Spend a semester in the "city that invented the Renaissance, which is the same as saying Florentines invented the modern world." To this miracle of achievement is added the miracle of survival. Almost everything of importance is still there in a compact area.
By day, study paintings and frescoes of Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Angelico, Masaccio, and Botticelli, sculptures by Donatello and Michelangelo, and cathedrals and palazzi designed by Brunelleschi and Michelozzo; wander through the streets and countryside where Petrarch, Dante, Boccaccio, Galileo, and Lorenzo de' Medici walked and wrote; see illuminated manuscripts at the Biblioteca Laurenziana; or hear Gregorian Chant sung by the monks of San Miniato.
For evening, listen to opera in opulent halls and concerts in cathedrals; enjoy the famous "cucina italiana" and Chianti Classico at outdoor cafés bordering the city's colorful piazze, settings for scenes from movies such as "Room with a View", "Tea with Mussolini," "Up at the Villa," and "Hannibal;" enjoy a moment of silence in a cloister; practice your "ciaos" and "buon giornos" in open-air markets; or window shop on Via Tornabuoni at Ferragamo, Armani, Gucci and Versace.
For an occasion out of town, tour the working vineyard at Villa Calcinaia with its present owner, Count Niccolò Capponi as guide.
Florence is a safe city, with a very low rate of crime. Florentines are friendly to Americans and very patient with our attempts to speak the language of Dante. Historic Florence is small enough to allow walking to most venues.
Courses
Courses in Natural Sciences and Mathematical Disciplines, Social Sciences, Applied Art, and Arts and Humanities have been designed specifically for Iowa State University students. The entire curriculum will be integrated and centered on persons and topics associated with Renaissance Florence and Tuscany.
A four-credit Italian course will satisfy ISU's Verbal Communication requirement. Students may take as many as 12 credits in Italian. In conjunction with the student's advisor, independent study projects may also be taken. Many courses are available for Honors Program credit. Class size is small, ranging from five to twenty students per class. All course numbers are in the ISU catalog; they do not need to be transferred to a student's record. All courses are 300 level and above.
Faculty
An outstanding faculty includes:
* Dr. Kevin Murphy (Renaissance Science through Art, Architecture and Artifacts: Period Art History courses)
* Count/Dottore Niccolò Capponi (Political Science courses)
* Dr. Matteo Sansone: opera
* Francesca Boni: coordinator of Italian language courses
* Several of these teachers also have appointments at other major universities in Florence
Facilities
Most courses are taught at The British Institute of Florence, located in the Palazzo Lanfredini, on the south bank of the Arno, close to the Ponte Vecchio. The Palazzo, which has been recently renovated, contains several well-equipped classrooms, an air-conditioned reading room, and wireless internet access that will be included in the course fee. The Institute is also the site of a series of weekly lectures and film presentations.
The language division of The British Institute of Florence is located on the Piazza Strozzi. It is equipped with a study center with computer-assisted language learning facilities and also has wireless connections.
The political science course, taught by Dottore Niccolò Capponi, is held in his residence, the historic 15th century Palazzo Capponi.His palazzo was the site for the filming of the movie, "Hannibal."
The 55,000-volume Harold Acton Library, with specialized holdings in the areas of Italian studies, history of art, travel, music, the theatre, and English literature, is the largest English library in Italy.
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Program Information
The Semester is open to university students of any age in any discipline. The ideal mix will include students (traditional and non-traditional) representing a wide variety of colleges and disciplines. Students from six different ISU colleges are enrolled in the fall 2006 semester.
The program fee (approximately $9300) includes tuition, lodging and utilities, guest lecture fees, museum entrance fees for courses, as well as tickets to an opera performance and a Renaissance dinner in the Palazzo Borghese.
The program will be run during the 2008 fall semester with an application deadline in early April 2008. Students receive 12-20 academic credits for the LAS Semester in Florence.
Accommodations
Students will be housed in apartments in the Oltrarno area of Florence, close to both the Palazzo Lanfredini and Piazza Strozzi. Apartments are furnished with a kitchen, dining area, laundry facilities, television, bed linens and towels.
Program Pre-requisties and Criteria for Acceptance
* sophomore standing or above at the time the program is offered
* completed application for the program
* two letters of recommendation from persons who can comment on the student's ability to succeed in a foreign country and adjust to another culture
* consultation with the student's advisor
* an interview with the Program Directors
* a demonstrable desire to study in Florence
Language Requirements
Although it would be beneficial to have had some previous knowledge of Italian, this is not a requirement for acceptance into the Program. A 4-credit course in Italian will be required as part of the curriculum.
Scholarships and Financial Aid:
Students eligible for financial aid should contact the financial aid office to make the necessary arrangements. In most cases, students will be able to apply their ISU scholarships and financial aid to their study abroad studies. Scholarships are also available.
Web Sites:
www.GoFlorence.us
www.las.iastate.edu/international
/studyabroad.shtml
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