SUNY New Paltz: Urbino/ Rome - Summer Italian Language Studies at the University of Urbino

The initial 5-day visit in Rome will include three one-hour morning refresher lessons dealing with basic Italian language skills. Whether or not participants have taken Italian before, these will help prepare individuals for the conversations most frequently encountered when traveling/living in country (e.g. ordering food, shopping, transportation).

Program participants will explore a representative sampling of Roman and Italian culture such as artifacts, ruins, architecture and artworks from the Classical, Early-Christian, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern eras. In each of these historical periods, ideas and ideals were conceived in Rome - and by extension in Italy - that greatly shaped the course of human civilization. Before heading to the city of Urbino for intensive language instruction, the visit offers an introduction to the history and lore of both recognizable and less well known sites of Rome, as well as an appreciation for everyday, contemporary city customs.

At the University of Urbino, mornings are dedicated to the study of the Italian language. Three levels are available: beginner, intermediate and advance. Placement is determined by the placement exam. The elementary course is for absolute beginners; all other courses assume that students know the contents of the preceding level.

Intermediate and Advanced level students will devote their afternoons to Italian culture and civilization. This consists of lectures, seminars, conferences and discussions on such topics as: the Renaissance in Urbino, and 20th Century Italy. Other activities include poetry recitals, Italian films, literary readings etc. (Elementary students will be in working groups at that time, to improve their language skills, or viewing easily understood Italian films.)