Program Information

The Department of Art History and Archaeology and the Department of Italian have joined together to offer a summer program in Venice. Based at Ca’ Foscari University, the program uses an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Italian culture through study of its language, literature/film, art history, and architecture. Students with at least one year of Italian will develop their language skills, as well as a deeper appreciation of the rich Veneziano culture, traditions and history.

The Italian Cultural Studies program includes two integrated components:

• Italian language and literature/film
• Art history and architecture

All students take at least one course in each of these areas. Students who have completed first year Italian enroll in Intensive Intermediate Italian and at least one, if not more, courses in art history, architecture, or literature/film to earn 9-12 points. Students who have completed at least two years of Italian enroll in an advanced literature/film course and one or both courses in art history or architecture to earn 6-9 points.

Ca' Foscari University organizes their graduate students to act as Cultural Partners who meet regularly with program students to provide a local perspective into Italian language and culture. The Cultural Partners are involved in many aspects of the program including orientation, social activities, and field trips, allowing for regular interaction between program students and Italian students.

Course-related field trips and program activities are also scheduled to introduce aspects of Venetian life and society.