A Summer of Study and Travel

Travel with knowledgeable faculty and see the world through Montclair State's International Summer Study Tours.

The Mediterranean: Crossroads of Civilizations
Montclair in Sicily
Late June to late July 2006
Led by Dr. Dawn Marie Hayes of the History Department

Boasting some of the richest history and breathtaking landscapes in the Mediterranean world, Taormina is a Sicilian town rich in medieval charm, with Mt. Etna providing a spectacular backdrop for its most famous landmark, the Teatro Greco.

Participants will stay in a hotel, with continental breakfast and a pool. The program includes a field trip to Palermo and Monreale, a traditional Sicilian puppet theater performance and optional cultural activities.

Participants choose two courses from the three options:

An overview course on Southern Italian culture, which includes intensive conversational Italian, and an introduction to the history and culture of the island, such as the Arabic poets of Sicily, Bellini’s operas, the geology of Mt. Etna, myths and legends, the puppet theater, crafts and cuisine.

"Sicily and Southern Italy in Antiquity and the Middle Ages" delves into the history and cultures that left lasting impressions on this diverse region. This course will explore Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, German and French occupations, as well as the cross-fertilization of Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures.

"Emigration and Immigration in 20th-Century Sicily and Southern Italy" traces Italy’s transformation from a land of emigrants to one with a growing population of immigrants, turning the country into a multiethnic/multiracial society. This program is open to students and non-students for continuing education credits and as auditors.

The following programs are open to alumni as non-degree professionals for graduate credit.

Intermediate and Advanced Spanish Language and Literature
Montclair in Madrid
Late June to late July 2006
Led by Dr. Edwin M. Lamboy of the Spanish/Italian Department

This program is based at the University of Nebrija in Madrid, a city that has led Spain as the crossroads of Iberia since the golden age of 16th-century painters and playwrights. In conjunction with the Nebrija summer program, faculty-led field trips in Madrid will include the incredible masterpieces of the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, the Palacio Real and historical walking tours throughout Madrid’s colorful neighborhoods. Excursions also are included to Toledo, with its Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions that made it a great center of religion and learning; to the castle town of Segovia and to Salamanca, a thriving university town since the 15th century. At the beginning of the program, participants will visit Andalusia for three days, where they will have an opportunity to see the Alhambra Palace in Granada and romantic Seville with its cathedral, fiestas and flamenco, before traveling through La Mancha’s vineyards and olive groves to Madrid.

Participants register for Spanish cultural history and one additional intermediate or advanced course on Spanish language, or literature or teaching methodology. Courses are offered at both undergraduate and graduate level and are taught in Spanish, and participants will have the opportunity to meet students from all over the world. The program has a prerequisite of a minimum of two semesters of college-level, or three years of high school-level, Spanish.

French Language and Civilization
Montclair in Nice
Five weeks; late June to early August 2006
Led by Dr. Joanna Dezio of the Modern Languages and Literature Department

This program takes advantage of the numerous attractions of Nice, creating opportunities for students to be immersed in French life. Located on the Mediterranean just 25 miles from the Italian border, Nice is an excellent base for discovering Cannes, Monaco and the remarkable small towns of Italy. Faculty-led excursions feature the Archaeological, Matisse, Picasso and Léger museums, the Roman ramparts of Antibes, glass artisans of Biot at work, the Medieval walled village of St. Paul de Vence, a ride through the fabled Golden Corniche, a wine tasting at a traditional vineyard followed by a sumptuous repast in an ancient grotto and a visit to the Château de la Napoule artist-in-residence program.

Accommodations are studio apartments in a modern residential facility near the lively Vieux Nice historical district, which runs right along the Mediterranean Sea.

Participants may choose from among the following course combinations:

• Mediterranean Civilization (taught in English)

• French language study (from elementary to advanced levels, including conversation workshops on various topics)

• An advanced course taught in French on a cultural theme (which changes each summer)

• A broadcasting practicum in which students produce documentary pieces on contemporary life on the Côte d’Azur

All French grammar courses are taught entirely in French. Undergraduate and graduate credit available.

Chinese Culture and Contemporary Society
Montclair in Shanghai
Five weeks; late May to late June 2006
Led by Dr. Longxing Wei of the Linguistics Department

This program is comprised of several programs, each with an individual focus on contemporary Chinese society. Based on the campuses of East China Normal University and the Shanghai Theater Academy, participants consider many facets of China’s most dynamic and influential city. The program includes faculty-led field trips within Shanghai to modern and traditional sites such as the Shanghai Art Museum, Urban Planning Exhibition Hall and Yuyuan Garden, and to nearby cities such as Suzhou, famous for exquisite gardens, and to the lake city Hangzhou, with its ancient temples and pagodas. A five-day excursion to Beijing also is included, giving participants the opportunity to walk on the Great Wall, see Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and other historical sites.

All participants register for Introduction to Chinese Civilization, which provides an overview of the philosophical, artistic and political elements of Chinese culture. Students select a second course, taught by accompanying specialized MSU faculty, allowing them to focus in on their special area of interest, making the program five programs in one. Courses featured include a business focus on managing information systems, a linguistics course with opportunities for practical applications, a theater course involving staging a musical theater revue with the Shanghai Theater Academy, a food science course with a view of nutrition issues in China, and a workshop on the role of design and the creative process in China. Specialized field trips, hands-on experiences and guest lectures will be included for each course. Courses are taught in English, and can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit.

Italian Culture and Civilization
Montclair in Siena
Five weeks; mid July to mid August 2006
Led by Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino of the Spanish and Italian Department

This program features a five-day faculty-led study tour followed by four weeks in the medieval city of Siena. Students will visit historical sites in Rome with a special focus on exploring the ancient world of the Etruscans. An excursion through the halls of the Vatican Museum will give students a chance to go back to the origins and development of Western Civilization. Participants will spend three days in Southern Italy from the bustling city of Naples, exploring the ruins of Pompeii and Paestum, and the Amalfi seacoast region. From their home base of Siena, students will visit Florence and have the opportunity to explore the Tuscan countryside. The program culminates with the Palio, the centuries-old horse race that takes place twice a year in the heart of Siena.

For more information or to register for any of these programs, please contact Wendy Gilbert Simon of the Global Education Center at 973-655-4185 or at simonw@mail.montclair.edu.