classical studies

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By Term

• Fall 2014
• Spring 2014
• Spring 2015
• Academic year 2014-2015

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Program Overview

Indulge your interest in classical studies in a city and region home to a unique combination of ancient Greek and Roman cultural elements.

With CIEE study abroad in Naples, you’ll enroll in a variety of engaging coursework, which is complimented by intensive Italian language study and frequent visits to museums and archaeological sites. And with peer language partners, Italian roommates, and cultural activities and excursions, CIEE offers you unparalleled insight into Italian culture and a truly immersive international experience.

Study abroad in Naples and you will:

• Begin or continue Italian language study through intensive Italian language courses, whether at a beginning, intermediate, or advanced level
• Explore the very roots of the Western world in one of Europe’s most ancient locations, taking classes that range from ancient languages and literatures to archaeology, art history, and philosophy
• Visit and participate in "L'Orientale" University’s ongoing archaeological excavations, and a field trip to Rome or Sicily
• Enjoy excursions to unique cultural and archaeological attractions in Naples and the Campania region such as Paestum, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae, and the Phlegraean Fields

The CIEE Difference

Coursework

Choose from a variety of Classical electives ranging from ancient philosophy and classical Greek literature to ancient science and technology and Greek and Latin language learning. You’ll also have access to “L'Orientale” University’s wide selection of courses.

Excursions

The academic study abroad program is supplemented with excursions and cultural activities including visits to museums such as the world-renowned Naples Archeological Museum and Archeological Museum of Baiae; day trips to a variety of archeological sites in the area, from world-famous ones such as Pompeii to less known but equally significant ones such as Elea/Velia, Benevento, Capua, and Stabiae; and tours of the underground areas of ancient Greco-Roman Naples. CIEE also organizes weekend and overnight trips to main cultural ancient Greek and Roman areas such as Rome, Sicily, and Apulia.

In order to provide you with the opportunity for a broader understanding of the cultural and historical development of the area, the study abroad program is enriched by visits to art museums and sites in the city such as the Capodimonte Museum, Bourbon Royal Palace, and historical churches, as well as local festivals and seasonal cultural events. Group dinners with local and international L'Orientale students provide opportunities for sharing cross-cultural experiences.

Dates, Deadlines & Fees

We want to make sure you get the most out of your experience when you study abroad with CIEE, which is why we offer the most inclusions in our fees.

• Tuition and housing
• Pre-departure advising and optional on-site airport meet and greet
• Full-time program leadership and support
• Field trips and cultural activities
• CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits

Please note, program dates are subject to change. Please contact your CIEE Study Abroad Advisor before purchasing airfare. Click the button to view more detailed information about dates and fees as well as estimated additional costs. Please talk with your University Study Abroad Advisor about additional fees that may be charged by your home institution when participating in a program abroad.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Fall 2014

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

$17,850

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$14,123

Housing

$3,325

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$2,250

International Airfare *

$1,750

Local Transportation

$250

Books & Supplies

$150

Potential travel to consulate for visa **

$500

Personal expenses

$2,200

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** while there is not typically a fee for the visa application, students may need to travel to the consulate to apply

Spring 2014 (16 wks)

11/01/2013

02/03/2014

05/24/2014

$17,850

Program Date Notes

Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$14,123

Housing

$3,325

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$2,250

International Airfare *

$1,750

Local Transportation

$250

Books & Supplies

$150

Potential travel to consulate for visa **

$500

Personal expenses

$2,200

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** while there is not typically a fee for the visa application, students may need to travel to the consulate to apply

Spring 2015

11/01/2014

TBA

TBA

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

Estimated Additional Costs

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

Academic year 2014-2015

04/01/2014

TBA

TBA

$33,900

Program Date Notes

Program Fees

In addition to the items outlined below, the CIEE program fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Participation Confirmation *

$300

Educational Costs **

$26,848

Housing

$6,650

Insurance

$102

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

Estimated Additional Costs

Meals not included in program fee

$4,500

International Airfare *

$1,750

Local Transportation

$500

Books & Supplies

$300

Potential travel to consulate for visa **

$500

Personal expenses

$4,400

The estimated additional costs indicated are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

* round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

** while there is not typically a fee for the visa application, students may need to travel to the consulate to apply

Eligibility

• Overall GPA 2.75
• Major or concentration in Classical Studies strongly recommended

Recommended Credit

Total recommended credit for the semester is 15 semester/22.5 quarter hours, and 30 semester/45 quarter hours for the academic year.

Course contact hours are 42 and recommended credit for all courses is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours per course, unless otherwise indicated.

Program Requirements

A full course load for the semester is five courses. All study abroad students enroll in a required, intensive Italian language course at the start of each semester. Following the intensive language session, all students are required to continue their Italian language study at the appropriate level throughout the semester, and take the CIEE core course. Additionally, students select two or three content courses from the CIEE Classics courses or from Orientale’s regular university courses. Students who wish to audit a course may do so in addition to the full course load.

About The City

Located just an hour from Rome by the high-speed train, with the ancient Greco-Roman city still visible in its layout, Naples is part of a well-preserved ancient cultural area including Pompeii, Herculaneum, Cumae, and Paestum. Its history and position at the heart of the Mediterranean have made Naples a city with many different layers of civilization, one that has absorbed different cultures and peoples. The central historical district, where students live and study, has been renovated and revitalized

Meet The Staff

Serena Fusco

Dr. Serena Fusco earned her Ph.D. from L’Orientale in Comparative Literature. In 2006 she was awarded a Research Fellowship and spent a year at the University of California at Berkeley where she was a Visiting Scholar at the Center for Chinese Studies, researching the literatures of the Chinese Diaspora. She has worked as an American Literature and English language instructor at L’Orientale for several years; from 2000 to 2009 she also worked at the Capodimonte Museum in Naples. Her past and present research interests include modernity, post-modernity, and cultural translation; Asian American and Chinese American literature; feminist and queer theory and criticism; American literature and culture of the late 19th century and of the 1990s; photography; and popular music and its cultural and social uses. In addition to Italian, Dr. Fusco speaks English, French, Chinese, German, and Spanish.

Read More

So much of what is generally regarded and presented abroad as “Italian” turns out to be, actually, Neapolitan: from food to folk songs, from philosophy to the arts, from the negative stereotypes about its society to the stunning appeal of its landscape. It is impossible to understand Italy without understanding Naples. Beginning as a town in “greater Greece,” then at the heart of the Roman Empire, Naples was influenced by North African and European cultures, and gradually became a powerful capital city and one of the greatest urban realities in eighteenth-century Europe.

By studying in Naples you will have firsthand experience of several layers of ancient civilizations, visiting some of the richest museums and classic art collections in Italy, not to mention the opportunity to explore the abundant and diverse archaeological sites both in the city and in the region. Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Cumae are just a few minutes away while Paestum and Rome are an hour or less by train.

Like Parthenope, the mythical Siren from which Naples takes its original name, the allure of this city is never bland, nor tame. Naples is a city of great contrasts: chaotic and loud like the crowd in its narrow streets; peaceful and silent as its many cloisters and enclosed gardens; profane and spiritual; post-industrial and yet as magnificent and wild as the beauty ofits bay, dominated by the stunning shape of the Vesuvius. If you are looking for an authentic and vibrant culture, a unique city, and a challenging life experience, Naples is the place for you.

— Serena Fusco, Resident Director

“”

Camilla Balsamo

Resident Coordinator Camilla Balsamo's involvement with study abroad began when she attended her high school senior year in Colorado, graduating with honors. Camilla has a BA in Modern Philology and a MA in Comparative Literature from L'Orientale. She has been coordinating cultural projects organized by the Orientale and international partners, such as the project "Europe as a Space of Translation", In addition to Italian, Camilla speaks fluent English and French, and some Catalan. She has taught English and translated Gertrude Stein into Italian.

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Where You'll Study

Founded in 1732 by a missionary returned from China, the UniversitàdegliStudi di Napoli “L’Orientale” (University of Naples “L’Orientale," or just“the Orientale”) is based in historic central Naples. The Orientale is a center for the study of foreign languages and cultures—not only Asian but also Middle Eastern, African, European, and American—that is unique in Italy and has few rivals in Europe. There are approximately 10,500 students and 250 faculty. CIEE students have access to the University libraries, computer center, language lab, media center, student canteen services, and sports facilities.

Housing & Meals

Study abroad students live in furnished apartments with CIEE and Italian roommates. The apartments are within walking distance of the historic center. Students have their own room with shared living, kitchen, bathroom, and dining areas. Meals are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student. Numerous stores for buying food and other items are within walking distance from the apartments. The historic center is also scattered with eateries of many kinds.

Orientations

You'll begin your study abroad experience in Naples even before leaving home by participating in a CIEE online pre-departure orientation. Meeting with students online, the resident director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving you time to ask questions. The online orientation allows you to connect with others in the group, reflect on what you want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. CIEE’s aim for the pre-departure orientation is simple—to help you understand more about the program, and identify your objectives so that you arrive well-informed and return home having made significant progress towards your goals.

Each semester begins with a mandatory orientation session organized by CIEE resident staff. It includes an academic orientation, introduction to local customs and culture, information on personal safety, practical advice on daily life in your new surroundings, and cultural activities in Naples. During orientation, you will stay in a hotel and meals will be provided. Italian roommates and other L'Orientale students serve as cultural and practical guidesduring the first weeks of the program. Immediately after the initial orientation session, you'll begin your intensive Italian language instruction. Ongoing support is provided by CIEE staff on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Internet

You are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop. CIEE apartments have Internet access for your use. Wireless Internet is also available in all the University buildings which you can gain access to upon request of an L'Orientale account. Computers are also available for student use, free of charge, at the University’s computer labs and media centers. However, these facilities have limited hours.

Culture

The academic study abroad program is supplemented with excursions and cultural activities including visits to museums such as the world-renowned Naples Archeological Museum and Archeological Museum of Baiae; day trips to a variety of archeological sites in the area, from world-famous ones such as Pompeii to less known but equally significant ones such as Elea/Velia, Benevento, Capua, and Stabiae; and visits to the underground areas of ancient Greco-Roman Naples. CIEE also organizes weekend and overnight trips to main cultural ancient Greek and Roman areas such as Rome, Sicily, and Apulia.

In order to provide you with the opportunity for a broader understanding of the cultural and historical development of the area, the study abroad program is enriched by visits to art museums and sites in the city such as the Capodimonte Museum, Bourbon Royal Palace, and historical churches, as well as local festivals and seasonal cultural events. Group dinners with local and international L'Orientale students provide opportunities for sharing cross-cultural experiences.

Academics

The CIEE Study Center at the University of Naples “L’Orientale” opened in 2010. The Classical Studies study abroad program is designed for students focusing on the classics who want to deepen their knowledge onsite at an important classical learning center. Content courses are taught in English, and are complemented by an extensive program of local site visits and Italian language study.

Students with five semesters of college-level Italian or the equivalent, may also enroll directly inL' Orientale’s courses in the classics or other fields, or in the CIEE liberal arts program courses. Students who wish to stay for the academic year, with sufficient Italian, may supplement the CIEE classics courses with courses from the liberal arts program along with L'Orientale courses.

Academic Culture

CIEE courses are designed for U.S. undergraduates, and the teaching and learning methods will be familiar to most U.S. students. However, classes are taught by local faculty and require students to work independently outside the classroom. Learning takes place through a coherent blend of lectures, group seminars, visits, and practical work.

CIEE class size is small. Classes at L'Orientale range from 10 to 60 students, with an average class size of 25. L'Orientale classes run Monday through Friday and meet one to three times per week for approximately two hours, though classes can range from one to four hours. The standard format is lecture, often supplemented with seminars in the latter half of the semester.

Following arrival and orientation, CIEE students take two weeks of intensive Italian language classes, according to their level of language placement. After that, the overall course schedule follows the typical organization of semesters at the L'Orientale, with fall courses taught October through December and spring courses March through May. Some L'Orientale courses extend into January and June, but early exams are permitted for CIEE students.

Nature of Classes

CIEE classes are primarily with CIEE study abroad students, although Italian students are invited to enroll. Regular L'Orientale courses are with Italian and other international students.

CIEE Community Language Commitment

As students gain proficiency in Italian, resident staff encourages them to use their language skills in everyday settings. The more students participate, the more a community that contributes to Italian language proficiency and understanding of Italian society develops.

Shortly after arrival, each CIEE student is paired with a L'Orientale student for a number of cultural activities, including ongoing language exchange.

Grading System

CIEE course assessment is grounded in a consistent blend of U.S.- and local-style methodology. It is based on the students’ overall performance, including class participation, mid-term tests and/or papers, and a final written and/or oral examination. Assessment is based on a U.S. letter grading scale, paralleled with an Italian 30-point scale.

Assessment in L'Orientale classes is based on a combination of students’ performance during the course, including writing assignments and a final oral examination. Italian academic culture traditionally emphasizes the final oral examination, where students are encouraged to answer questions regarding course materials while articulating a personal perspective on them. However, many courses have now adopted written final tests, or a combination of written tests and oral examinations. Assessment is based on a 30-point scale and is converted to a U.S. grading scale.

Language of Instruction

English
Italian

Faculty

Course Description

Program Blog

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