The Fall 2010 course options

The book list for all courses can be found by clicking on this link.

TH204 The History and Theology of the Papacy (Theology or History core)
Since the fourth century, Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city is tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its leaders, the popes. Students in the course will study the development of the meaning of the papacy throughout history. They will critically examine the interaction between theory (the understanding and theology of the papacy) and reality (the actual lives of the men who filled this role and often fell far short of the ideal, the places they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired). Through a study of the historical development of the papacy, students will reflect on the Roman Catholic understanding of Church and its commitment to the Pope as the successor of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of God.

Art and Architecture of Ancient Rome (History core)
This course is intended to offer students an introduction to the city of Rome that is topographic, architectural, and art historical in nature. In our study of Rome, we will focus on developments in the architecture, painting, sculpture, and urban development in the city. While our survey is limited to antiquity, it is understood that Rome’s modern urban fabric is profoundly affected by the events of the ancient period, so this course is also intended to facilitate your understanding of the modern city in which you are spending the semester.

Italy in American and British Literature (English core)
The journey to Italy is at the center of novels and poems which will be analyzed during the course. On the one hand we will concentrate on the discovery and transformation of the characters as narrated through their encounters with a different culture and social context. On the other, we will investigate the change in the perspective of the authors themselves due to their own journeys to Italy. The study of these works will provide students with the basic elements necessary for the analysis of a literary text, leading them to a deeper understanding and a greater awareness of the different linguistic styles and registers used. Students will learn how to pose questions to the text and follow, step by step, the authors’ construction of the characters and also the progression of textual structure from the beginning to the end.

PL220 Philosophical Perspectives: Art and Imagination (Philosophy core)
Prerequisite: PL201. An exploration of the parallel development of philosophy and art as truth-disclosing activities.

The Meaning of Christian Worship: Liturgical Art and Architecture (Theology core)
The course will lead students in examining the art and architecture of Christian churches, especially in Rome, while they study the texts utilized in worship and some writings about the liturgy from throughout the tradition. Students will come to an understanding of the various meanings associated with the liturgy and the way that the art and architecture conveys these meanings.

IT101 Introductory Italian I
For students with no previous knowledge of the language. A thorough grounding in the four language skills: reading, understanding, writing, and speaking, as well as an understanding of the structure of the language and the literature and culture of the country. Cannot be taken for credit by students who have taken three years of Italian during high school.

IT102 Introductory Italian II
A continuation of Italian 101.

IT103 Intermediate Italian I
A systematic consolidation and expansion of the four basic skills: reading, understanding, speaking, and writing. To increase and perfect students' acquired abilities/proficiencies in the language, and broaden their understanding of the country's culture and literature.

IT150 Italian in Context I
Prerequisite: Placement by examination. Restricted to students studying in Rome. Italian language study with intensive oral practice and review of elementary language structures. Includes contemporary culture in Rome and comprehension strategies for five-skills abilities.

IT151 Italian in Context II
Prerequisite: Placement by examination. Restricted to students studying in Rome. A continuation of IT150.

IT111 Italian Language and Culture I: Rome
Prerequisite: IT103 or placement by examination. Restricted to students studying in Rome. A continuation of Italian language study. Intensive oral practice with contemporary materials.

IT212 Italian Language and Culture II: Rome
Prerequisite: IT111 or placement by examination. Restricted to students studying in Rome. A continuation of Italian language study. Intensive oral practice with contemporary materials.

IT213 Italian Language and Culture III: Rome
Prerequisite: IT112 or placement by examination. Restricted to students studying in Rome. A continuation of Italian language study. Intensive oral practice with contemporary materials.

IT214 Oral Proficiency in Rome
Prerequisite: IT202 or placement by examination. Restricted to students studying in Rome. Intensive oral practice in the classroom and with audiovisual media to develop facility in oral expression and aural comprehension.

Attendance Policy

Italian Studies Minor