Purdue Summer Program in Florence

Studying the city from atop the Duomo

The Florence program is open to any undergraduate who has completed at least two semesters of university study. Students admitted into the program will have touched on their curiosity, maturity, independence, and their desire to experience a way of life different from their own with in their essays. This program is highly competitive.

The program is RIGHT for students who:

• want to become more comfortable with being uncomfortable
• want to develop their intercultural effectiveness
• aim to actively engage Italians in hopes of developing true friendships 
• are willing to develop emotional resilience and are up for a challenge

Complete the application well ahead of the deadline to improve your chances of being admitted. Contact the Program Coordinator, Michael Bittinger (mbitting@purdue.edu) for specific questions about this program.  

There are no prerequisites for this program. Participants will enroll in two 3-credit courses, plus a 1-credit Intercultural Learning seminar for a total of 7 credits.  It is recommended that students enroll in the Italian language and/or Italian Society course to help with integration into life in Florence.  Purdue reserves the right to cancel any course with insufficient enrollment.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS FEBRUARY 15TH 

Courses for Summer 2022

A&D 490: Painters, Sculptors & Architects of the Italian Renaissance
- Adjunct Instructor
Taking the scope and contents of Giorgio Vasari’s "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects" as inspiration, this course will introduce students to a broad range of works produced in and around Florence from c. 1250 – 1550. Often celebrated as the first modern art historian, Vasari introduced the genre of the encyclopedia of artistic biographies with his landmark 1550 publication, in which artists from Cimabue to Michelangelo are organized in a trajectory that reflected a constantly evolving approach to the human figure, the depiction of three-dimensional space, and the visualization of narrative that epitomized the art of Vasari’s own age.
This course will examine these qualitative concepts through close evaluation of the works of major Italian Renaissance artists, thoughtful analysis, and the joint consultation of contemporary texts and modern scholarship. To take full advantage of the opportunities available, most classes will be held in museums, churches, & piazzas. While we will look at the works in terms of their aesthetic and stylistic qualities, we will also pay special attention to issues of social, political & economic context, as well as to function, which was integral to artistic production of the period. As the works we will study are often still in their original physical settings, we will also have a unique opportunity to experience the works as their original viewers did and as their creators intended.

COM 30301: Intercultural Learning Seminar in Florence (REQUIRED)
[YOU NEED NOT SELECT THIS AS ONE OF YOUR CHOICES; IT'S REQUIRED]
Nothing magical happens simply by going to Italy. It takes effort to develop intercultural effectiveness; the goal of this course. This seminar challenges students to truly engage with the cultural differences offered by their host-city. The instructor mentors the development of each student by guiding them through experiential learning activities and reflective writing assignments.
Elements of the class are integrated into pre-departure orientation, on-site instruction (week 1), and coursework completed online throughout the overseas experience. A tentative syllabus is available upon request. Students can earn the Global Competency Certificate for completing this course. Watch this video for more details: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjn6yBReBq0

FLL 490: Contemporary Italian Society
- Adjunct Instructor
This course will provide an introduction to the cultures and civilization of Italy from a chronological and thematic perspective. The course is designed to increase students' knowledge of Italian life, customs, and society from an intercultural perspective. Therefore, the first part of the summer will cover the main cultural and historical developments in Italy from its formation to the present time. The second part will review current cultural, historical and political concerns such as religion, immigration, and the new economy under the euro. Site visits, guest lecturers, and activities will be integrated into class lectures allowing students to participate in debate about contemporary topics.

ITAL: Italian (101, 102, or 201)
- Adjunct Instructor
Language is the key to any culture! Two sections of Italian will be offered at the beginning & intermediate levels. ITAL 101 will definitely be offered. Demand will determine if 102 and/or 201 will be offered.
The objective of this course is to enable students to understand the principles of Italian pronunciation, intonation and rhythm, and to speak Italian in every-day situations. Role-plays, listening and reading-comprehension, games and short written productions will be the activities aimed at reinforcing the new structures presented in each unit of the book; the goal is to provide students with basic language abilities in order to navigate Florence and integrate into the city.

PSY 350: Abnormal Psychology
- Adjunct Instructor
Psychopathology is the science of abnormal behavior and psychological/psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the science, etiology, symptoms, and course of psychopathology as well as to explore its treatment. Dynamics and treatment approaches discussed will be based on cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, existential and integrative theories. The ultimate goal of the course is to enhance your understanding of yourself and others.
Objectives:
1. To provide you with an overview of the field of abnormal psychology and major psychological problems and disorders in and outside of official nomenclature;
2. To familiarize you with current conceptualizations of the causes of these disorders;
3. To expose you to intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders;
4. To instill in students an understanding and appreciation of research approaches in the study of psychological disorders.

Two day-trips are included where attendance is required.  The first is to the cities of San Gimignano and Siena. The second, includes visits to Lucca and Pisa, where students can view the cathedral, baptistry, and famous leaning campanile (bell tower).

Participants will be housed in apartments within a manageable distance of the CAPA Center.  Most will be within walking distance, while some may chose to purchase a bus pass, or bicycle.  Each apartment is furnished, contains a fully-equipped kitchen, and two to four bedrooms. Students must prepare meals for themselves, or budget to eat in nearby restaurants.

Apartments do not have landline telephones.  US cell phones cannot access Florentine 911 services, thus students in each apartment must partner to obtain an Italian cell phone.  

Applicants may request one specific person to be their roommate.  You will not be housed with a group of friends who are also applying.  That would be contrary to the objectives of this program.

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Summer 2022

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

• direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus; 
• consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process;
• complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline.  To insure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

All accepted students are required to attend a meeting in mid-late February.  Coursework for COM 30301 will be included in this and other required pre-departure orientation sessions. 

Further details will be outlined in acceptance e-mails. 

For further info, contact the Program Leader: Michael Bittinger (mbitting@purdue.edu) 

On a day-trip to Pisa

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.

• Search Google(tm)*
• Department of State Consular Information
  (You must find Italy in list)
• CDC Travel Information (You must find Italy in list)