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AIFS Study Abroad in Rome, Italy
Fall Semester 2011 and Spring Semester 2012
Course Descriptions |
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Italian language course levels are determined by placement tests to ensure the appropriate level. Since language demands are
challenging, students are often placed in a level lower than requested.
Students should make sure the advisors at their home
institutions are informed about this to avoid problems with credit
transfer. A minimum enrollment of 10 is required to confirm a
course.
Online Registration
Students must register for all classes online at:
www.richmondinrome.it.
Registration week is: June 5-12 (fall semester), November 6-13
(spring semester). Orientation Courses| Orientation Courses | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 103 (3) | | Course Title: | Elementary Italian I—Florence | | Course Description: | | Students build an essential vocabulary and assimilate basic grammar and sentence structures. Listening, grammar and comprehension
exercises, repetition and easy conversation. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 104 (3) | | Course Title: | Elementary Italian II—Florence | | Course Description: | | Preparatory course to the intermediate level designed for
students who have already had one or two semesters of Italian.
Although the course starts with basic grammar structures of the
language, the pace is faster than Italian 103. Conversation forms
a central part of every lesson. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 203 (3) | | Course Title: | Intermediate Italian I—Florence | | Course Description: | | Students develop the ability to communicate correctly with
expanded vocabulary. Conversational practice improves listening
and interpretation skills for better understanding and response.
Reading and writing exercises improve skills in understanding
prose and writing letters and simple messages. Admission is
based on testing in Italian. Prerequisite: 3 or 4 semesters of Italian. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 204 (3) | | Course Title: | Intermediate Italian II—Florence | | Course Description: | | Complex grammar structures are reviewed. Exercises reinforce reading, composition, phonetics, syntax and style. Conversation
practice continues. Admission is based on testing in Italian.
Prerequisite: 4 or 5 semesters of Italian. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 273 (1) | | Course Title: | Introduction to Italian Art | | Course Description: | | Designed to introduce students to the history of several periods, this course is taught primarily during the weekend excursions to
Venice and Naples. Richmond professors lecture before and during
the excursions on artistic and historical developments in Italy.
Students are required to write an art history paper on a topic
assigned by the professors, related to the visits. | |
Semester CoursesWith the exception of Italian (which is required), courses are
taught in English, Monday through Friday. Semester credits are
in parentheses after course titles. New courses may be offered.
Please check the website for the most current course list. A
minimum enrollment of 10 is required for each course.
Italian Language
Conversation is a central part of every lesson. In Rome students
may choose between the Conversational Italian (1 credit) or the
continuation of the Italian course taken in Florence (4 credits).
| Italian Language | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 105 (1) | | Course Title: | Basic Spoken Italian | | Course Description: | | This “survival course” is aimed at reinforcing the use of the structures acquired during the 2-week orientation course. Meets
2.5 hours per week and gives students a basic vocabulary to deal
with authentic everyday situations. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 112 (4) | | Course Title: | Elementary Italian II | | Course Description: | | Designed for students with one or two semesters of Italian. Starts with basic grammar structures. Open to students from
Italian 103 in orientation. Meets 5 hours per week. Conversation
forms a central part of every lesson. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 211 (4) | | Course Title: | Intermediate Italian I | | Course Description: | | This continuation of Italian 104 in orientation meets 5 hours per week. Students reach a solid level of linguistic competence. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 212 (4) | | Course Title: | Intermediate Italian II | | Course Description: | | This continuation of Italian 203 in orientation meets 5 hours per week. Use of the language is perfected and a solid level of
expression is attained through choice of the most appropriate
vocabulary and the use of complex tenses. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ITL 303 (3) | | Course Title: | Advanced Italian | | Course Description: | | Only students completing Italian 204 in orientation are admitted. Based on textual analysis of readings from contemporary
authors, newspapers and magazines, this course concentrates
on the revision of complex syntactic structures and use of synonyms
and idiomatic expressions. Meets 4 hours per week. | |
Courses taught in English | Art, Design and Media | | Course Code and Credits: | ADM 341 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Photography for the Media | | Course Description: | | Recommended for Communications and Journalism majors
as well as photographers, this course develops knowledge
and experience in photojournalism by studying work of major
practitioners and designing and shooting projects. Students
need to provide an analogical (non-digital) 35mm reflex camera
with manual controls and lenses. There is a fee of 110 euro for
films, processing and developing, darkroom session and student
portfolios. By the end of the course, students learn how to
effectively use a 35mm camera and understand what makes a
good photograph in terms of content, composition and technical
quality. Throughout the course students build a personal portfolio
on an assigned topic, relevant with Rome city life. | |
| Art History | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 305 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Introduction to Renaissance and Baroque art in Rome | | Course Description: | | This introductory course surveys the development of painting, sculpture and architecture in Italy from the 14th through the mid-
17th centuries. These four centuries mark the passage from the
Middle Ages to Modernity, through the rediscovery of the heritage
of the Classics, the transformation of Christian Europe that
followed Luther’s Reformation and the passage from feudalism
to absolutism. The course focuses on Rome that hosted some of
the major Renaissance artists and was the cradle of the Baroque
revolution. The course offers the unique possibility of studying
on site the masterpieces of great artists such as Michelangelo,
Raphael, Caravaggio and Bernini as well as exploring the social
and intellectual context of the art produced. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 308 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Art and Culture in Rome 800 BC - 2000 AD | | Course Description: | | Introduction to major art historical themes, methods and approaches. This course gives students a knowledge of Rome’s history and
society, an overview of its architectural and artistic expressions
over a development span of 3,000 years. Classroom lectures are
alternated with visits to churches, palaces and museums. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 309 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | History of Ancient Art: Greece and Rome | | Course Description: | | The course examines the main motives and themes related with the study, analysis, and appreciation of ancient art. Students study
the ‘Idea of the Classical’, so largely part of the western culture
and so widely the object of misinterpretation. The analysis of
Greek art, the relation between Greek and Roman art, the position
before Classical art, continuity, discontinuity, inspiration from
antiquity, and misunderstanding of antiquity, are the main subjects
covered in class. The city of Rome offers the best instruments for
this art itinerary. As much as possible is taught on site. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 321 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Baroque Rome and Its Monuments | | Course Description: | | The emergence of Baroque art in the late cinquecento and early seicento. Further developments of the Baroque style in mid
to late seicento sculpture, painting and architecture. Study the
works of Caravaggio, Bernini and Borromini, a source of inspiration
for many other artists. Much of the course is taught on-site
in Rome. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 322 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | High Renaissance Art | | Course Description: | | High Renaissance Art surveys the development of painting,
sculpture and architecture in Italy from the 14th to the 15th centuries,
focusing in particular upon the cultural context of Rome
with reference also to the contribution of Florence and Venice.
As much as possible is taught on-site, allowing students to gain
first-hand experience of the masterpieces of Bramante, Raphael
and Michelangelo within the historical and urban context. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 324 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | Michelangelo in Rome | | Course Description: | | The works of the Renaissance master, his sculpture, painting, architecture and literary production. His works are investigated
within the specific historical context, focusing on issues of commission,
iconography, censorship, biography, historiography and
aesthetics. Beyond a complete comprehension of Michelangelo’s
work, the course aims toward a mastery of art historical research
skills, the evaluation of current scholarship and independent critical
thought on art. Recommended to art history majors or those
with a good art history background. | | | Course Code and Credits: | ARH 328 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Caravaggio in Rome | | Course Description: | | The course examines the works of Caravaggio in their specific
historical context and focuses on issues of commission, iconography, censorship, biography, historiography, and aesthetics. We shall follow Caravaggio’s activities in Rome, analyze his continuous conflict between sensual naturalism and stylized classicism,
and compare his work with works by Raphael, Michelangelo, and
Leonardo. Discovered only in the mid-20th century, Caravaggio
became one of the most significant artists in the world. As much
as possible of the course is taught on site. | |
| Communications | | Course Code and Credits: | COM 315 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | History of Italian Cinema and Society | | Course Description: | | The history of Italian cinema and Italian society as represented in film. Post-war Italian cinema offers a valuable range of films to
study. Italian cinema within the context of world cinema to gain
an understanding of realism as an aesthetic convention as well
as insight into Italian culture and ways of thinking. | |
| Economics | | Course Code and Credits: | ECN 357 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | International Economic Relations | | Course Description: | | Economic and monetary relations between nations and groups
of countries. Institutional, political and historical factors that
shape the economic environment. Globalization, regional integration,
multilateral negotiations, trade policies and development of
world trade. | |
| History | | Course Code and Credits: | HST 311 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Rome Through the Ages | | Course Description: | | The history of Rome from its reputed founding by Romulus and Remus to the establishment of the Roman Republic and the
creation of the Roman Empire and the conversion to Christianity
with the appointment of the first Pope. Visits to major archaeological
sites. | | | Course Code and Credits: | HST 313 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Introduction to Modern Europe (1870-1945) | | Course Description: | | Beginning with the Congress of Vienna, the central themes in European history encompassing nationalism, imperialism and other
20th century ideologies. The rivalry of the great powers in Europe
culminating in World War I. The failure of peace, leading to the
causes and events of World War II, which witnessed Germany’s
unsuccessful bid for hegemony in Europe. | | | Course Code and Credits: | HST 325 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Culture and Society in Medieval Rome | | Course Description: | | This course will be focused on the main arguments concerning the cultural implication of social and political life during the
Middle Ages. Classes, lectures and field visits will cover a large
chronological span, from the 4th century AD to the 13th century.
Considering the length of this extremely inhomogeneous period
only some of the main themes will be treated with a preference
for ideological implications of art and architecture. As much as
possible of this course is taught on site. | | | Course Code and Credits: | HST 326 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | History of the Italian Mafia | | Course Description: | | This course analyzes the Italian Mafia through an historical, social and cultural perspective, tracing its progression from the Borbonic
Reign to the present day. Differences between the Italian
and the American Mafia, an analysis of the sociological aspects
of the Mafia, including “the language of the mafioso”, “the code
of silence”, the ways of violence, messages and messengers,
structures of power, profits and losses and the relationship between
the Mafia, politics, and religion. | |
| International Business | | Course Code and Credits: | INB 483 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | Internship in International Business | | Course Description: | | Students work part-time as volunteers in local companies or small businesses in or near Rome for a minimum of 130 hours.
Placement is determined after application, interviews and competitive
selection by the Director and faculty. Students must have
a good working knowledge of Italian. Preference will be given to
full-year students. To receive credit, students report to the supervising
instructor regularly and submit an analytical paper. Interns
may take only Italian language, plus one other course. | |
| International Relations/Sociology | | Course Code and Credits: | INR/SCL 313 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | Globalization: A European Perspective | | Course Description: | | The new millennium is witnessing a world that is developing into a single place. Students explore the complex social, economic,
political, cultural and environmental dynamics of the global society
and become familiar with the causes and implications of the
globalization process. | |
| Literature | | Course Code and Credits: | LIT 326 fall only (3) | | Course Title: | English and American Writers in Italy | | Course Description: | | Based on a selection of English and American authors who traveled and resided in Italy, wrote about Italy and were influenced
by Italian images and culture. Readings define how contact
with Italian life and culture affected their work. Authors include
Hawthorne, Byron, Ruskin, Mark Twain, Henry James and Mary
McCarthy. | | | Course Code and Credits: | LIT 327 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | Italian Literature in Translation | | Course Description: | | Literary works by major Italian writers and major Italian literary trends from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Students
develop background knowledge of Medieval and Renaissance
Italian literary history and the ability to analyze a literary text. | | | Course Code and Credits: | LIT 329 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Classical Mythology | | Course Description: | | Traditional stories of Greece and Rome in their cultural context. Readings from Greek and Latin literature investigate their
sources, nature and applications to literature and art. Key figures
and events in mythology, including gods and major heroes. Onsite
analysis of paintings, sculptures, poetry and mosaics. | | | Course Code and Credits: | LIT 330 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Roman Life and Thought | | Course Description: | | This course illustrates the most important literary works of classical antiquity. Students read in translation Latin authors, such as
Virgil, Ovid, Cesar and Cicero, familiarize themselves with different
literary genres, and understand the basis of European literary
culture. Major topics include aspects of ancient civilization, such
as rhetoric, politics, religion, mythology, and philosophy. | |
| Marketing | | Course Code and Credits: | MKT 301 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | Principles of Marketing | | Course Description: | | Principles and operations of the marketing process with an
in-depth look at the role of marketing in business planning, how
the marketing mix operates and the role of strategic marketing in
today’s business environment. Prerequisite: Sophomore status. | |
| Philosophy | | Course Code and Credits: | PHL 305 fall only (3) | | Course Title: | History of Western Philosophy I | | Course Description: | | The pre-Socratics, the main teachings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Plotinus, and the influence of Christianity on the development
of philosophy as reflected in the thought of Augustine and
Thomas Aquinas. | | | Course Code and Credits: | PHL 306 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | History of Western Philosophy II | | Course Description: | | The philosophies of the Continental Rationalists (Descartes, Spinoza,
Leibnitz), the British Empiricists (Locke, Berkeley, Hume)
and Kant’s “Copernican” revolution in philosophy. | |
| Political Science | | Course Code and Credits: | PLT 302 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Italian Society: From Fascism to the Present | | Course Description: | | Italian political life from the rise of fascism to the present. Institutional developments since Mussolini, analysis of political parties,
the Red Brigades, Italy and the E.U. and church-state relations. | | | Course Code and Credits: | PLT 359 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | The European Union in the New International System | | Course Description: | | The historical background of the E.U., the dynamics of the
European integration process, the European institutions and their
functioning, the interrelationship between the E.U., the member
states and the U.S., E.U. policies such as the agricultural,
regional, social, environmental, energy and monetary policies will
all be examined. | |
| Religion | | Course Code and Credits: | RLG 315 spring only (3) | | Course Title: | Religions and Cults of the Roman Empire | | Course Description: | | An introduction to the religious experience of Late Antiquity, which opened the way to medieval civilization and, eventually, to
modern Western culture. This course introduces students to the
extremely complex, and often amazingly modern richness, of the
religious beliefs and cults of the Roman Empire from the 1st to
4th centuries AD. The main religions, cults, and mystical movements
will be considered and examined in order to give students
a complete picture of this fascinating historical period. | |
| Social Sciences | | Course Code and Credits: | SSC 483 fall/spring (3) | | Course Title: | Internship in Social Science | | Course Description: | | Students with a serious interest in and a strong commitment to
social work or social sciences may obtain part-time placement
(minimum 130 hours) in elementary education, assistance to the
elderly, work with handicapped people or health care assistance.
Students are placed as volunteers and are graded. Students
must have a good working knowledge of Italian. Preference will
be given to full year students. To receive credit, students report
to the supervising instructor regularly and submit an analytical
paper. Interns may take only Italian language and one other
course. | |
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