Program Overview
From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Florence is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces. Students to Florence and Tuscany come for many reasons--fine art, wonderful cuisine, Italian language and culture. A city of about 600,000, Florence is situated only a few hours by train from other major cultural centers including Rome. This Florence program is run in conjunction with Arizona State University and Dominican University, This joint program makes it possible to register for Italian language courses at various levels. Two one-day excursions to Assisi and to a castle in the Chianti area are included in the program, and students may explore the surrounding region on their own. |
Faculty
Enza Antenos-Conforti is a Professor of Italian with the Department of Spanish and Italian at Montclair State University. She is the Teacher Education Coordinator for the Italian Program and currently the Interim Lower Level Language Program Coordinator. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Toronto (Canada) and teaches various language and culture courses. Her recent research interests explore emerging technologies (social networking, mobile computing) and their role in foreign language teaching and learning. Prior to joining the Montclair State University faculty, Enza has taught at numerous American and Canadian post-secondary institutions, including Ohio State University and Middlebury College. Dr. Antenos-Conforti has also worked with IBM Canada and Parmalat Canada.
Antonella Calarota is a professor of Italian and Spanish at Montclair State University as well as several other colleges in New York and New Jersey, where she teaches both languages at various levels. She received her M.A. degree in Foreign Language and Literature from the University of Siena. She earned a second degree in Filología Hispánica from the University of Granada, Spain and is working on a Doctorate in Spanish Literature through the University of Madrid. She coordinated Montclair State University’s summer study abroad program in Siena, Italy in 2005, 2006 and 2007, where she taught Italian at every level and coordinated local transportation, excursions, lodging and other student activities.
Additional faculty for the program is from the partner institution, Arizona State University.
Academic Offerings
Students register for two courses:
Italian 375-01: Study Abroad and indicate the approved corresponding language course |
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Italian 101, 102, 103 or 104, for post-program credit adjustment.
The fundamentals of speaking, reading and writing through task-oriented activities, video/audio cassettes, CDs, and laboratory work. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER) - Foreign Language. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Languages.
Note: Advanced Italian courses available as an Independent Study. Please contact Prof. Enza Antenos-Conforti to make special arrangements. |
ITAL 375-02 Choose one civilization seminar:
Saints and Sinners in Medieval and Renaissance Italy
This course will examine the intricate and often inflammatory mixture of piety and politics which permeated the society of medieval and Renaissance Italy. Our exploration will take us from such saintly figures as Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena (whose miraculously preserved head can be seen in the chapel in Siena) to the notorious Medici and Borgia popes, whose extravagance and love of display bequeathed to us some of the finest art in the world. We will study the fanatical Dominican monk, Savonarola, who instituted a reign of asceticism and terrorized the pleasure-loving Florentines into destroying their rich art work, fabrics and fine furniture in his famous "Bonfire of the Vanities". At the opposite extreme, we will learn about the convents of Renaissance Venice, where internal politics echoed the vicious political intrigues of the city, where nuns entertained lovers, put on theatrical performances and vied with each other over the sumptuous decoration of their cells. By the end of the course, you will understand the impossibility of separating politics from piety, and will also recognize how both saints and sinners contributed to the rich cultural inheritance of Italy. Taught in English. Credit adjustment can be arranged for ITAL 441
Italian Humanism and Renaissance: Exploring the Decameron through Storytelling
This course offers an exploration of Boccaccio’s Decameron through its characters, themes, geographical settings, and within the context of Renaissance Florence. Literary criticism and video excerpts of cinematographic interpretation will supplement the discussion and analysis of the text. Students will also be expected to develop their own storytelling techniques by retelling and/or reenacting different tales of different days through the eyes of different characters. Classes will be held both in class and in the city and surroundings as the setting of the tales dictates, including but not limited to Fiesole, Boboli Gardens, and relevant monuments within Florence proper, such as Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Santo Spirito, and Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Taught in English. Credit adjustment can be arranged for SPIN 380.
Florentine Images, Sketches + Inventions
This multi-level course uses the Florentine setting as a center for temporal and spatial immersion, as students work in media of their choosing. Drawing, collage, photo and video demonstrations are given initially to broaden creative options. Weeklong projects are meant to integrate specific sites such as the Boboli Gardens, Piazzale Michelangelo, the Arno River, and the Florentine streets themselves. Viewing Renaissance masterworks in the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Croce Church and Palazzo Strozzi offer students insight to their own investigations. All students keep a sketchbook as the basis for initial notation and interpretation and provide additional materials specific to their creative interests. This course places the student outside of the classroom, directly engaging everyday Florentine life. No prerequisite is required; only an imaginative willingness is expected. Credit adjustment for ARGS 260 Visual Arts Workshop by arrangement.
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Pre-Enrollment Form
Faculty Led Short-Term Study Abroad Institutes Forms
Montclair in Florence Scholarship Opportunities |
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Accommodations and Meals
Participants will be lodged in student housing located in central Florence. The apartments are equipped with standard kitchen facilities which will enable participants to prepare some of their own meals and save some expenses. Housing assignments and instructions will be sent separately to each student, and cannot be traded without permission from the ASU Faculty Director. Lunch vouchers are included for four days per week at one of two possible local restaurants. |
Estimated Program Cost:
Approx. $4,000 plus tuition and fees for six credits. The price includes:
- Roundtrip Airfare
- Airport Transfers in Florence
- Housing in Double or Triple Occupancy Bedrooms in Furnished Apartments
- Two one-day excursions to Siena and Chianti
- 4 lunches per week
- Orientation in Florence
- International Student I.D. card and accompanying insurance
- Museum Pass
- Cell phone rental (does not include actual cost of calls)
- Administrative and guest lecturer fees
Participants may opt not to join a group airfare but then are expected to arrange their own transportation and meet up with the program in Florence.
Note that participants must be physically able to walk one mile on cobble stone streets.
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Application Requirements:
All participants are required to have
1) a minimum GPA of 2.75;
2) an interview with MSU faculty;
3) a reference form completed by a faculty member
4) a $100 non-refundable application fee (applies to program cost if accepted)
Non-MSU students are eligible to participate as Visiting Students. They will need to provide an official transcript, two reference forms completed by faculty at their home institution, and an additional $100 fee. |
Program Cost Payment Schedule:
Applications and the $100 non-refundable application fee may be submitted at any time before the January 15 deadline. Once accepted, the payment schedule is:
Application Fee $ 100 (non-refundable)
By January 15, 2011 $ 900
By February 15, 2011 $ 1,500
By March 15, 2011 $ 1,500 (to be confirmed)
Make checks payable to “Montclair State University”. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for MSU students. Contact the Global Education Center for information.
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Tuition Cost Payment Schedule:
Participants will register for MSU Summer Sessions and pay tuition directly to the MSU Bursar. Summer Sessions Registration window opens in April.
For further information:
Contact Dr. Antenos-Conforti at 973-655-7499 or email antenosconfor@mail.montclair.edu
Contact the Global Education Center at 973-655-4185 or email simonW@mail.montclair.edu.
Or visit us on the web at www.montclair.edu/globaled
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