Meredith Abroad in Italy/Switzerland and the U.K. is the oldest of the Meredith programs. Students can choose the 10-week program or they can select either of the continental or U.K. programs individually.

The program begins with four weeks in Sansepolcro, Italy, a small town located in the beautiful Tiber Valley about halfway between Florence and Rome.  As you depart Sansepolcro for a final 4 day independent travel break, you will make your way to Stechelberg, Switzerland where the Swiss Alps will dazzle you, before continuing on to Zurich, from which you will depart. 

At this point, half the students return home and half head for the U.K. where they are joined by a group from the U.S.A. In the U.K., the program begins in the heart of London, in beautiful Kensington Square at the Maria Assumpta Centre.

Both programs provide extended opportunities for independent travel, and faculty will be available to offer advice and help you plan your own advenures.

Dates
Whole Program May 21 - July 29, 2009 (tentative)

Italy/Switzerland May 21 - June 28, 2009 (tentative)
UK June 28 - July 29, 2009 (tentative)

Final Dates are determined in February.

Accommodations
While in Sansepolcro, Italy, students will be housed in five-six large rooms in a lovely medieval convent. Bunk beds abound. In London, we are indeed lucky to be able to stay at the Maria Assumpta Centre in beautiful Kensington Square in the most sought after and convenient location possible.

Costs*

Whole Program: $9,300

Italy/Switzerland Half: Program Costs: $4,900 (includes room, half-board, tuition, and program excursions).

U.K. Half: Program Costs: $5,600 (includes room, half-board [except for weekends in London], tuition, and excursions).

*These estimates are based on a conservative exchange rate so that we, ideally, will not have to ask for more money.  Should the exchange rate shift significantly, we may adjust this price downward after final program arrangements are solidified. Our job is to monitor, yours to hope!

Additional Costs: Round trip airfare and miscellaneous spending

Cultural and Travel Opportunities

Whole and Italy/Switzerland Participants
Typically students' classes will meet in the morning and early afternoon, leaving most of your evenings for study and for exploration of Sansepolcro and Tuscany. A group excursion will introduce you to the art and architectural delights of nearby Anghiari, Arezzo, and Florence. Two three-day travel breaks will enable you to travel wherever you choose--for example Rome or Venice, or perhaps even farther afield. On the way to Switzerland, a final travel break will allow further travel.

U.K. Participants
U.K. participants will begin in the heart of London in Kensington Square. Participants will find an almost overwhelming variety of opportunities in theatre, music, dance, art, museums, and historic sites to engage the mind and delight the spirit. Again, classes will typically meet in the morning and early afternoon. The rest of most days and weekends are free for sight-seeing and independent travel. Two long weekend breaks while in London will allow participants to travel independently to Paris or Ireland or ???!!!

Curriculum
NOTE: For each half, students are required to take a minimum of 6 credit hours, and three of those must include IDS 300 and/or IDS 301: Arts, Artifacts, and Culture. Independent study is available in many areas, but at an extra cost if taught by non-Meredith abroad faculty. Credit will be available in arts & aesthetics, cultural perspectives, behavioral & social science, and science & society. Students who wish to use this study abroad experience to satisfy the Core 200 of our current Gen Ed program will be able to do so.

Course Offerings for the Italy/Switzerland Half:

ENG/THE 350 Modern Drama

A study of modern theatre from 1875 to the present, this course will look at the development of drama through playwrights and their works.  Beginning with Ibsen, Strindberg, Chekhov, and Shaw, the class will explore important 20th century plays and conclude with contemporary drama.  Work will include substantial reading and writing, with viewing and reviewing of performances.  Level, 300.  Pre-requisite, ENG 200.  Credit, 3 hours.  English or Theatre Elective.  Instructor: Catherine Rodgers

 

CD 940: Social and Cognitive Development in Cross Cultural Perspective

In this course we will explore aspects of infants’ and young children’s social and cognitive development in several different cultural settings—including Italy and the United States.  We will study Lev Vygotsky’s socio-historical developmental theory and Uri Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of human development.  Once grounded in theory, we will read on particular cultural differences in parenting styles, attitudes about the role or place of children in specific cultures, differences in child care and schooling, and differences in social class that all affect developmental outcomes.  We will do observational field study in the effort to specify particular characteristics of adult– child interactions in Italian cultural settings.  Level 300-400.  Credit, 3 hours.  Cultural Perspectives or Social & Behavioral science.  Instructor:  Paul Winterhoff

 

IDS 300: Arts, Artifacts, and Culture--the Continent
An introduction to the culture and the social life of the peoples of continental Europe based upon a study of the arts and artifacts produced by those peoples. We will place special emphasis on Italy and Switzerland. We will define our terms broadly, looking at literary, visual, and musical arts as well as dance; architecture of both private and public spaces; and artifacts of all sorts. We will be interested in folk culture as well as high culture, ancient times as well as modern, traditional modes as well as avant garde, secular expressions as well as religious, utilitarian expressions as well as purely ornamental, communal as well as personal. Principal assignment -- in addition to readings -- is an in-depth travel journal. Required of all students. Level, 300-400. Credit, 3 hours. Old Gen Ed: Fine Arts or Social Science Elective. Current Gen Ed: Aesthetics and the Arts or Cultural Perspectives Elective. Instructor, Greg Vitarbo.

Course Offerings from the U.K. half

IDS 301: Arts, Artifacts, & Culture--the U.K.
An introduction to the culture and the social mores of the peoples of the United Kingdom based on a study of their arts and artifacts. Principal assignment--in addition to readings--is an in-depth travel journal of what students see and learn in numerous galleries, museums, theaters, concert halls, and other venues in England. Required of all students. Level, 300-400. Credit, 3 hours. Old Gen Ed: Fine Arts or Social Science Elective. Current Gen Ed: Aesthetics and the Arts or Cultural Perspectives Elective. Instructor, Catherine Rodgers.

BIO 940:  Microbes and Society

This course examines ancient, modern and coming plagues to introduce students to the biology of bacteria and viruses and their role in our everyday life.  The society shaping and often devastating consequences of infectious disease have altered the course of human history in ways important for global citizens to understand.   The problem of antibiotic resistance and the role of public policies on the emergence, spread, and control of infectious disease will be considered.  Level, 300-400.  Credit, 3 hours.  Science and Society.  Prerequisite: a lab science. Instructor: Liz Wolfinger

 

ART 942: The Focused Gaze 

Through firsthand observation, readings, guided and self-directed exploration, research, photo-documentation and reflective writing, students will gain insight into the culture and character of the city of London.  As part of the course, students will create a photo–journal to help express the cultural and artistic discoveries they make while in London. 

Note: Any type of camera is acceptable for use in this course. Prints will be commercially developed. Each student will be responsible for the cost of developing her own prints.  Level 300-400.  Credit, 3 hours.  Cultural Perspectives or Arts & Aesthetics Elective.  Instructor: Sharon Hill

 

Eligibility:

Students must be in good academic standing (2.0 minimum GPA)

Deadline for Applications: February 2, 2009

For More Information Contact:

The Office of International Programs

124 Joyner

919-760-2307