The Rome Study Center offers a program that emphasizes the study of Italian language and culture, art history, economics and political science. Situated in one of the world’s great capital cities which, as the home of the Vatican, also holds a unique position in the Christian world, Rome is the ideal location to experience the classical and cultural heritage of the Roman world. The semester program begins with an intensive three-week Italian language and orientation course in Florence. This is followed by eleven weeks of study in Rome where the study of Italian continues as one course in the student’s program of four or five courses. With the exception of Italian language, most courses are taught in English.
The Study Center
The Center is located in a language institute in central Rome that provides classrooms and student facilities and houses the office of Richmond’s Resident Director.
Accommodation
In Florence, students stay in student apartments with three or four other students and receive restaurant vouchers for lunch and dinner.
In Rome, students live in an Italian household or in student apartments and receive restaurant vouchers for five breakfasts and five lunches or dinners per week.
Italian Language Program in Florence for Rome
Students continue their Italian language studies at the appropriate level.
ITL 103 (3 CREDITS)
Elementary Italian I
Designed for students who have never taken any Italian language course before and are not familiar with any other foreign language. Students build an essential vocabulary and assimilate basic grammar and sentence structures. Instruction is based on listening, grammar and comprehension exercises, repetition and easy conversation.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
ITL 104 (3 CREDITS)
Elementary Italian II
A preparatory course to the intermediate level, designed for students who have already had one or two semesters of Italian or are fluent in Spanish or French. Although the course starts with basic grammar structures of the language, it moves faster than ITL 103. Conversation is a central part of every lesson.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
ITL 203 (3 CREDITS)
Intermediate Italian I
Students will develop ability to communicate in Italian correctly and with expanded vocabulary. Conversational practice, including improved listening and interpreting skills, will encourage students to better understand and respond to normal Italian speech. Exercises in reading and writing will improve skills in understanding prose and in writing letters and simple messages. Admission to the course is based on a placement test in Italian.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of three or four semesters of Italian.
ITL 204 (3 CREDITS)
Intermediate Italian II
Reviews complex grammar structures and provides students with exercises in reading, composition, phonetics, syntax and style. Continued practice in conversation will provide students with increased capability to communicate competently in Italian. Admission to the course is based on a placement test in Italian.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
Prerequisites: Three or four semesters of Italian.
Academic Program in Rome
Students continue their Italian language studies at the appropriate level. All Italian language courses are taught at the Center.
Italian Language
ITL 104 (3 CREDITS)
Elementary Italian II
A preparatory course to the intermediate level, designed for students who have already had one or two semesters of Italian or are fluent in Spanish or French. Although the course starts with basic grammar structures of the language, it moves faster than ITL 103. Conversation is a central part of every lesson.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
ITL 105 (1 CREDIT)
Conversational Italian
Meets two and half hours per week and gives students a basic vocabulary to deal with authentic everyday situations. It is designed for those students who prefer the communicative approach with less emphasis on intensive exposure to the language structure.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
ITL 203 (3 CREDITS)
Intermediate Italian I
Students will develop ability to communicate in Italian correctly and with expanded vocabulary. Conversational practice, including improved listening and interpreting skills, will encourage students to better understand and respond to normal Italian speech. Exercises in reading and writing will improve skills in understanding prose and in writing letters and simple messages. Admission to the course is based on a placement test in Italian.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of three or four semesters of Italian.
ITL 204 (3 CREDITS)
Intermediate Italian II
Reviews complex grammar structures and provides students with exercises in reading, composition, phonetics, syntax and style. Continued practice in conversation will provide students with increased capability to communicate competently in Italian. Admission to the course is based on a placement test in Italian.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
Prerequisites: Three or four semesters of Italian.
ITL 303 (3 CREDITS)
Advanced Italian
With a focus on reviewing complex syntactic structures, this course will provide exercises in use of synonyms and idiomatic expressions. Students will analyze readings from contemporary authors, including samples of fiction and articles from newspapers and magazines.
OFFERED AT ITALIAN STUDY CENTERS ONLY.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
Art History
ARH 321 (3 CREDITS)
Baroque Rome and Its Monuments
Rome only
Begins by studying the emergence of baroque art in the late cinquecento and early seicento, and then examines the further developments of the baroque style in mid-to-late seicento sculpture, painting, and architecture. Students examine the works of Caravaggio, Bernini, and Borromini, a source of inspiration for many other artists. Much of the course is taught on site.
ARH 322 (3 CREDITS)
High Renaissance Art
Rome only
Examines fully the High Renaissance style in Rome and Florence primarily through the works of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael. Developments in other cities such as Venice will be investigated as will other leading artists of the period. The course is taught on site as much as possible.
Economics
ECN 357 (3 CREDITS)
International Economic Relations
Florence and Rome only
Examines economic relations between nations and groups of countries. Institutional, political and historical factors shape the economic environment, and the course discusses international cooperation toward development, regional integration, settlement of disputes and the steady growth of world trade. Also covered are multilateral trade negotiations, the European Economic Community and the legal framework for world trade.
History
HST 311 (3 CREDITS)
Rome through the Ages
Rome only
Studies 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, as well as the conversion to Christianity with the appointment of the first Pope. Visits will be made to all the major archaeological sites.
HST 313 (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to Modern Europe, 1870-1945
Rome only
Taking as its starting point Germany unification, this course will examine the central themes in European history encompassing nationalism, imperialism and other 20th century ideologies. It will address the rivalry of the Great Powers in Europe culminating in the First World War; then, the failure of the interwar peace will be studied leading to the causes and events of the Second World War which witnessed Germany’s unsuccessful bid for hegemony in Europe.
Political Science
PLT 302 (3 CREDITS)
Italian Society: From Fascism to the Present
Florence and Rome only
A survey of Italian political life from the rise of fascism to the present time. Topics covered include institutional developments since Mussolini, analysis of political parties, the Red Brigade, Italy and the EU and churchstate relations.
PLT 358 (3 CREDITS)
Beyond the Single Market - The European Union in the New Millennium
Historical beginnings of the European Union, its institutions and its economic performance. The Single European Act, the European Monetary System, social, political and economic aspects of integration and foreign policy cooperation.
Prerequisite: Junior status.
Religion/Philosophy
RLG/PHL 310 (3 CREDITS)
Mysticism and Magic in Medieval and Renaissance Italy
Florence only
Aims at prompting reflection on how much our present is related to the past, by evincing the role of Renaissance magic in the genesis of modern science and the shaping of modern fantasy. After an explanation of the function of magic in archaic societies and of the representation of hell and demonization in the late Middle Ages, the course focuses on the end of the 15th century when Florence became the irradiating centre for the new doctrine on the magus ideal formulated by Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola. This new direction in European thought was further developed into modern science by the contribution of Bacon, Copernicus, Harvey, Galileo, Paracelso and Newton.
