Florence Study Abroad Program
Semester Florence Program
Contemporary Italian Culture and Society
The "Contemporary Italian Culture and Society Program" is a FALL SEMESTER study abroad opportunity that allows
students to earn up to fifteen credit hours at Lorenzo de' Medici Institute (LDM) located in the historic center
of Florence. Many stimulating academic excursions are integrated into the semester’s activities.
The resident director of the program is Dott. Luca Casaglia, Professor of Environmental Studies at LDM, who helps
assists students and helps them achieve success in their overseas learning experience. The Program Director is
Dr. Anne Schiller, Professor of Anthropology and Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor at NC State.
The semester program offers more flexibility to apply to a students academic major and the students desire to travel
outside of included excursions due to the longer time period on contrast to the popular summer program.
Courses
All courses are taught in English. All participants must register for a three credit Anthropology course,
"Contemporary Italians and Italy". Students may earn up to a total of fifteen academic credits. The minimum number
of credits for which a student may enroll is twelve. Included in the program fee is the opportunity to for students
to enroll in twelve hours of credit-bearing courses and one non-credit course, for example, in cooking or wine appreciation.
LDM courses do not transfer to NC State for a grade, but do transfer as course credit.
In addition to ANT 348 "Contemporary Italians and Italy," Italian language courses and some other courses have been
pre-approved for NC State. The Office of Study Abroad and Professor Schiller can provide students with further information
about pre-approved courses. Students must petition their colleges to receive credit for other courses.
Students are strongly encouraged
to consult the Lorenzo de’ Medici course catalog to see which courses
will be available to choose among.
For a complete list of courses available, see http://www.lorenzodemedic.it/
A list of approved courses are noted below:
| HA | 298A | Early Renaissance Art History |
| HA | 298B | Renaissance Art at the Italian Courts |
| HI | 395 | Renaissance Culture and Civilization |
| IS | 395A | The Italian Political System |
| IS | 395B | Globalization and its Consequences |
| PS | 298 | Contemporary Italy |
| FLI | 101, 102, 201 or 202 | Italian Language |
| WGS | 295A | Renaissance Prostitution in Venice and Florence |
Accommodations
All students are housed in double-room apartments in the center of Florence and within easy walking distance to LDM. Markets and grocery stores are conveniently located closeby. A welcome and farewell meal are included in the program cost, as are some meals during academic excursions. Students are responsible for other meals. In the past, students on the program have enjoyed organizing group dinners and potlucks.
Excursions
Several academic excursions and social outings are also included in the program price. These include:
- a two day excursion to southern Italy including Pompeii, Sorrento, and the island of Capri;
- a one day excursion to San Gimignano including a visit to the Criminological Museum;
- a one day excursion to the hill town of Orvieto where students will visit the underground workshops and mines dating from the prehistoric and medieval periods and the famous Gothic Cathedral built to celebrate the Miracle of Bolsena
- an olive harvest and fresh-pressed oil tasting;
- attendance at a Fiorentina soccer match.
- As a special bonus, participants may be enrolled as members of the "Friends of the Uffizi Gallery Society." As a member they are entitled to a free entrance into many museums and invitations to other cultural events in Florence