Rome in its reality-study abroad
From Staff Reports
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The saying goes "When in Rome…" Now students and faculty have the golden opportunity to see Italy through the eyes of a native during this summer's Study Abroad Program.
"Rome in its Reality" is a 4-week visit to Rome dedicated to daily excursions in the mythical city, both west and east of the Tiber. Professor Vincenzo Piazza, who will guide the group, calls Rome a "museum in open sky." He plans to make the most of its marvels and visual displays, utilizing them as classrooms for most of the trip.
The Study Abroad Program will also include excursions to Etruscan cities in northern Lazio, the Roman artificial port-harbor Ostia and finally the Amalfitan coast, including the cities of Amalfi and Positano. Each day, visits will include a predetermined itinerary that will take participants to chosen locations, galleries and museums, corresponding with course of studies and interest. The instructor will briefly introduce the topic, students will engage in comments, observations and finally, conclusions.
The SAP offers two courses: HUM2230 (Humanities) - with special regard to Counterreformation and Baroque Rome (1½ weeks) taught by Prof. Piazza; REL2300 - late Republican and Imperial Roman religion, history and architecture (1½ weeks) taught by Professor Richard Grego. The first and second part each course offers three credits (45 hours), for a total of 6 credits (90 hours) upon student successful completion of program.
"Why Rome? Many of us think of Rome only as the "Empire," the Rome of the Emperors. However, Rome is also - and mainly - the city of the Catholic Counterreformation. Everywhere in Rome is a sign of that struggle - successful altogether between the 1550s to the 1680s - for the renewal of the Church's supremacy. Rome today, is above all, a Baroque city, not a Classical city," says Piazza.
"Baroque, in its numerous expressions - architecture, painting, sculpture, music, opera! - represents the entire dynamic features of the Counter-Reformation. Even certain structures of my University - Rome - and the building of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic, the Palazzo Montecitorio, are Baroque, not to mention the "Piazzas" or squares of Rome, which are the most beautiful in the world, are for the greater part Baroque," he says.
Religious studies will center on Rome's crucial transition, witnessed through architecture and sculpture, from the Empire's capital too the capital of Christianity. Counter to popular conceptions, Piazza points out, Rome never really collapsed following the downfall of the Empire. In the late imperial era Roman paganism simply became Christianity. The Orthodox Catholic Apostolic Church of Rome grew out of the administrative, cultural and artistic organizations of the empire. The Church of Rome retained the Latin tongue, the legal system, the administrative division of the Roman continent, as well as the artistic expression, consolidated by its preservation of Roman architectural concepts for the building of the new Christian shrines: the Basilica.
But the DSC Study Abroad Program is much more than tourist sites. Piazza lived in Rome for more than 30 years, and therefore, time will also be spent on showing students what Italy really is. The arts are not the only element of study, but the economy, the politics, the nation.
"Live Italy by visiting monuments, museums, institutions, industries, research centers, and the University of Rome," says Piazza. "Why not? Also watch a soccer game at the Olympic stadium or relax on Mediterranean beaches. Best of all, weekends are free, therefore, students will have time to catch a 200 mph train and visit Florence, Genoa, Torino, Milano, Bologna, Venice, Napoli…and so much more. Italy is the most urbanized country in the world, 8,750 cities! "
He also suggests spending some time in Madrid, which costs 30 Euros on Air One of Ryan Air from the Fiumicino airport.
Student housing in Rome is organized by Accent, a company specializing in Study Abroad Programs. It is located in the Prati area on one of the most famous shopping streets in Rome and just steps away from the "eternal" Vatican City.
The Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum are a 5-minute walk from the residence which is conveniently located next to the Metro Subway Station. Students will find everything they need is at their fingertips from supermarkets, movie theatres and coffee bars to restaurants and a traditional Italian open-air market. Apartments at the residence have all been recently renovated. No two apartments are alike. Sizes and layouts vary. Layouts range from apartments with one, two, three, and four bedrooms. Each is equipped with at least one bathroom, kitchen facilities, a refrigerator and TV.
Students attend classes at the newly renovated ACCENT Rome Center in the historic Palazzo Banco S. Spirto, close to the Pantheon. For further information log on to www.accentintl.com
Departure is set for May 18, with the return on June 18.
Costs are: $2,850 for the program; courses 6 credits $470; airfare (purchased by student) approx. $1,200; and a security deposit (reimbursable) $150.
Students should consider carrying spending money for a month in Italy. Bursars on the five campuses are accepting down payments for the program of $500 prior to Feb. 20
For information please contact: Professor Vincenzo Piazza-Humanities & Communication, (386) 785-2079 or e-mail him at piazzav@daytonastate.edu Professor Piazza's office is on the DeLand campus, Bldg. 7, Rm. 156.
To contact Professor Richard Grego - Behavioral and Social Science (386) 506-3342 or gregor@daytonastate.edu His office is on the Daytona Beach campus, Bldg. 540, rm. 220.
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