Location
and Facilities:
Set on the Arno River in the midst of hills covered with
olive groves, vineyards and cypresses, Florence is known
as the cradle of the Italian Renaissance, a period of exceptional
artistic and intellectual activity. Under the aegis
of the wealthy Medici family, Florence's most famous patrons,
artists such as Donatello, Michelangelo, Ghirlandaio, Botticelli
and Vasari produced their great masterpieces. As the banking
center of early Europe, Florence was home not only to wealthy
patron families, but to innovations in banking and accounting
practices. Home to Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, the "Three
Crowns" of Italian literature, Florence is also the birthplace
of modern Italian. Today, Florence retains the indelible
imprint of her great artists and geniuses, and the magic
of this most fascinating Italian town pervades daily life.
As Brunelleschi's towering dome dominates the city and the
Tuscan countryside, so does Florence dominate Italy's cultural
life. The University of Florence (L'Università
di Firenze) is an urban university and departments are
located in the heart of the city.
The
Academic Program:
Holy Cross students will enroll in "corsi singoli" which
allows students to take a maximum of three (3) courses
in at least two (2) different facoltà. At the Facoltà
di Lettere (Humanities) students can take courses in literature,
history, philosophy, and art history, among other subjects.
The Facoltà di Scienze Politiche, one of Florence's most
renowned schools, offers courses in political science,
law, economics, etc. Students are responsible for reading
assignments and class attendance. Qualified tutors
selected by the Academic Advisor will have classes
at the Centro
Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri and assist
students with exam preparation. Most exams at Italian
universities are oral; the amount of written work is extremely
limited.
Holy
Cross students with a high level of training in studio
arts have, on occasion, trained at the Scuola Libera
del Nudo, which is affiliated to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, a world
known Institute for the applied arts. Annual courses in
Nude Drawing and Lithography are offered, and students
are required to take final examinations at the end of
the year. Acceptance in such courses is subject to mid-October
entrance examination. Application materials must
be sent to the Director, Doctor Domenico Viggiano, by
March 15th.
Students
with training in music and voice can apply to the Accademia
Musicale di Firenze, located in Via Adriani, 27-29.
The school offers regular music classes throughout the
year and a rich program for voice. Voice selections are
usually made in the beginning of October.
Courses taken so far at l'Università di Firenze for Holy Cross credit
Course
Load:
Three University courses and one course at the Centro
Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri, are the equivalent
of 8 Holy Cross courses.
Independent
Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP):
Successful completion of the ICIP, in addition to the
required course load, is necessary. The project director
will help the students in focusing the subject and in
finding resources and contacts. ICIP meetings
will take place at the Centro Linguistico Dante Alighieri.
Language
Support: The College of the Holy Cross has contracted
with the Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri,
Firenze, the premier foreign language school in Florence,
to organize and provide an Italian language reinforcement
program throughout the year to develop oral and written
skills and offer practical support for courses taken at
the University. A final exam at the Centro Linguistico
Italiano Dante Alighieri is usually scheduled before Easter
Break.
|
|
