LdM offers a variety of unique programs at the undergraduate and graduate level with over 600 courses in 39 departments aimed to enhance the students’ academic paths and to enrich their learning experience, personal growth, and real-world skills.
Students from around the globe enjoy the cultural and experiential learning opportunities offered by LdM at its three sites; Florence, Rome, and Tuscania.
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20th Century Design and Architecture Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An introduction to the tools and methods for understanding and recognizing choices and style in architectural design, in both interior and exterior settings. We explore the work of the 19th and early 20th-century masters (up to c. 1960) who expressed their talents and aesthetic vision from the small scale of objects and interiors to the grand ideas of entire buildings, neighborhoods and cities. Given the close relationship between interior design, object design and architecture, we examine the history of these three fields beginning with the Industrial Revolution. How did politics, economics and scientific and technological discoveries impact society, art, and architecture? What drove innovation in materials and aesthetics in the past, and how has this process changed in todays world?
20th-Century Graphics and Illustration Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The history of graphic design and illustration, and their interpretation in different cultures from the late 1800s to the present. We investigate the origins of modern graphic design in Europe, Russia, and in the United States, and how it built on the ancient visual culture of the Near and Far East, Europe, and the Americas. An in-depth study of the graphic arts, including signs, letters, drawn lines, colors in a painting, and dots in a photograph, and how all of these can form images and communicate ideas.
3-Hour Italian Language Advanced 1 Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We focus on developing the ability to manage conversations and collaborative strategies, and correctly use a wider linguistic range to create clear, logical, and effective texts. By courses end, students are able to take an active part in conversations, explain and justify their points of view, and give clear presentations on a range of subjects related to their interests in both spoken and written form.
3-Hour Italian Language Advanced 2 Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We develop the ability to understand and interact with prolonged conversations and complex, specialized texts. Students gain the ability to use language flexibly in both social and professional contexts, recognizing and using a wide range of idioms and acquiring a better command of shifts in linguistic register.
3-Hour Italian Language Elementary 1 Hours: 45 Credits: 3
For beginning students with no previous knowledge of Italian. In this first of six levels, we explore and familiarize ourselves the basics of the language, developing vocabulary and grammar skills to deal with everyday situations and express ourselves in both the present and past tenses. By courses end, students are able to use and understand a range of words and basic phrases and interact in straightforward situations to resolve their most pressing needs.
3-Hour Italian Language Elementary 2 Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We consolidate our knowledge of the basic structures of the Italian language and move on to acquire new skills and techniques, such as the ability to describe personal background and immediate environment, express wishes and talk about future plans, and respond to simple direct questions or requests for information. By courses end, students are capable of understanding and participating in simple exchanges of information on familiar activities, and using short phrases to describe people and living conditions.
3-Hour Italian Language Intermediate 1 Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We move on to acquiring more complex language structures, such as expressing personal opinions and preferences. Emphasis is on the ability to maintain interactions and cope flexibly, in both writing and speaking, with the problems of everyday life. By courses end, students are able to manage conversations on topics of personal interest or everyday life, describe experiences, and tell stories.
3-Hour Italian Language Intermediate 2 Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Focuses on acquiring complex language structures and skills: expressing personal opinions, preferences, doubts and hypotheses, combining different tenses when talking about the past, and switching focus in writing. We emphasize the use of Italian in social contextsthe ability to effectively sustain social interactions and contribute to discussions. Students gain a deeper awareness of the language and familiarity with a broader range of vocabulary and types of texts.
4-Hour Italian Language Elementary 1 Hours: 56 Credits: 4
For beginning students with no previous knowledge of Italian. In this first of six levels, we explore and understand the basics of the language, developing the vocabulary and grammar skills to deal with everyday situations and express ourselves in both the present and past tenses. By courses end, students are able to use and understand a range of words and simple phrases and interact in straightforward situations to resolve their most pressing needs. Specifically designed to make the most of our immersive learning environment, including out-of-the-classroom activities that provide a useful complement to the academic experience and help students build linguistic self-confidence.
6-Hour Italian Language Elementary 1 and 2 Hours: 90 Credits: 6
Provides a knowledge of basic Italian, allowing students to successfully navigate everyday situations, describe their personal background and immediate environment, express wishes, talk about past experiences and future plans, and respond to simple questions and requests for information. A more intensive learning experience thanks to daily language study and practice.
6-Hour Italian Language Elementary 2 and Intermediate 1 Hours: 90 Credits: 6
We focus on the acquisition of new and more complex linguistic structures, such as expressing personal opinions and being able to give simple accounts of past events. Students gain confidence in managing conversations on topics of personal interest or everyday life. A more intensive learning experience thanks to daily language study and practice.
6-Hour Italian Language Intermediate 1 and 2 Hours: 90 Credits: 6
Emphasizes the acquisition of complex language structures for express personal opinions, preferences, doubts and hypotheses, and a knowledge of which tenses to use when talking about past events. Students feel more comfortable expressing themselves in various social situations in both oral and written form. A more intensive learning experience thanks to the daily language study and practice.
A Balanced Nutritional Experience: Italian-Style Cooking Hours: 45 Credits: 3
In an age of processed foods and the widespread human alteration of the natural environment, the importance of a good diet has become even more essential. We explore the benefits of contemporary Italian cuisine through a study of foods chemical make-up and its effects on our metabolism. The effects of different foods and combinations of food on the digestive process, and how they can be chosen for an optimal diet. Students gain practical, hands-on experience preparing a variety of healthy Italian dishes.
Academic Reading and Writing (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An opportunity for students to consolidate and expand their fluency in reading and writing in Italian by working directly with both literary and non-literary texts. We read, discuss, and write about a selection of Italian authors, mostly from the contemporary period, in areas including literature, art, film and communications. Assumes at least an intermediate-level knowledge of Italian grammar.
An infernal acting experience à la Dan Brown. This unique approach explores the roots of the Italian culture and language as represented by the work of Dante Alighieri, and particularly his Divine Comedy. Classes are divided into two parts: the first hour is devoted to preparatory exercises to develop on-stage awareness, theatrical discipline, and group cohesion; then we study passages (in Italian) from cantos V, XXVI and XXXIII of Dantes Inferno (the Paolo and Francesca, Ulysses, and Count Ugolino episodes), learning to comprehend and transmit the semantic and evocative power of Dantes language and imagery. At courses end, students perform extracts from these cantos, in the form of living pictures, in the Inferno Room at the Franco Zeffirelli Foundations museum.
What does it mean to act in front of a camera? Why do dramatic gestures that work on stage appear far too pronounced for the screen? Acting for the camera requires a specific approach to performance that must be aligned with the understanding of the technical process of creating moving images. This course aims to foster students' creative potential by promoting experiential learning through the awareness of the cinematic language as well as their active role as entertainers in scripted scenarios for film media. Through workshops and the presentation of various acting methods and the comprehension of technical perspectives such as camera work, scene planning, and post-production editing, the course will collaborate directly with Filmmaking courses at LdM.
Adolescence is a unique and fascinating journey. Driven by complex neuro-developmental and hormonal changes, our bodies develop markedly, sexual feelings arise, and thinking and behavior grapple with new physical urges and value systems. Our identity is remolded in a continuous renegotiation of family and social relationships, the need for autonomy coexisting with cravings for guidance and connection. We explore the major theories and studies on adolescences and adolescent development, as well as contemporary issues and concerns related to its psychology (school, family, social media, sexuality, bullying, eating habits, religion, etc.). Students develop theoretical knowledge and a capacity for critical analysis through reading and critiquing the scientific literature, and presenting their research in group projects and individual assignments.
Advanced Drawing I: Observation and Interpretation Hours: 90 Credits: 3
The space for consolidating the knowledge and practice of the principal drawing techniques (charcoal, pencil, red chalk, ink) and experimenting with diverse color solutions, including pastels and mixed media. We elaborate further on the concepts and techniques discussed in previous courses to equip students to grapple with more ambitious projects. This includes moving gradually away from direct observation and toward more personal ideas and concepts that express students own artistic voice. Includes projects and highly structured exercises, and is designed for students with a mature understanding and experience of figure and object drawing. The city and art of Florence provide us with countless subjects for analysis and inspiration.
Building on a solid prior knowledge of the principles and elements of drawing figures and objects, we explore a variety of exercises and techniques that question and transcend the concepts and approaches of traditional drawing. Our goal is to achieve a consistently high technical quality of work through a personal approach that investigates individual ideas and themes in the context of several projects. Students take on and overcome complex drawing problems to expand the boundaries of their talent, and their comfort zone in drawing in a wide variety of academic and professional contexts. Florences extraordinary art and architectural heritage provides the backdrop to our work and ample material for analysis and inspiration.
Advanced Fresco Painting and Restoration Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Projects centered on original works of art under instructor supervision. Students outline, research and write a thesis on specific techniques or topics in fresco restoration and conservation. Work includes written and photographic documentation of all aspects of the conservative/restorative intervention.
Students with a vast knowledge of painting conservation acquire further experience and confidence in practical scenarios and the methods and techniques necessary for fieldwork. In this third course in the sequence, instructors provide close supervision, proposing both the type of conservation and restoration treatments needed as well as the techniques and materials the students are to use. Grades are based on the accuracy and completeness of work, in-depth documentation and lab records, relevant research, and the demonstration of advanced proficiency on mock-ups.
Advanced Painting I: Observation and Interpretation Hours: 90 Credits: 3
We advance students knowledge and practice of oil painting through figurative and/or object work, with the aim of enhancing the quality of work and achieving a mastery of the subtleties of the medium. Other painting techniques, such as the use of acrylics, will also be explored and experimented. The idea is to move gradually away from direct observation and toward more spontaneous, individual means of expressing ideas and concepts. Exercises and projects focus on consolidating skills related to color, composition, and technical experimentation such as glazing, impasto, and other painting media. Florences rich artistic heritage provides ample material for analysis and inspiration.
An opportunity for students with considerable painting experience to develop and execute projects centering on their own original interests, while honing the overall quality of their artistic product. Projects may take the form of a single work or a series of works, which can vary in both size and the media used. Finding solutions to translate observation and experience into a personal aesthetic language, a consolidation of style, expressive techniques and originality. Students engage with a high technical level of painting, focusing on an effective use of color, form, composition, and surface treatment with various materials and techniques. Florences incredible art and architectural heritage will be the focus of our exploration and analysis.
Advanced Project for Fresco and Mural Painting Restoration Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Students carry out restoration work on original wall paintings, with instructor supervision, at a historic location in or near Florence. Projects are designed to offer the opportunity to conduct every phase of restoration, from preliminary analysis to completion. Requirements include a lab report documenting every step and every technique used that enables others to authenticate the quality of the work done. Focuses include documentation, such as photography, analysis of support, ground, binders and paint layers, as well as art historical research. Goes beyond lab work to embrace the theoretical problems encountered, the ethics of restoration, and the choices restorers must make. Consolidates skills related to pre- and post-restoration phases, and to the specific procedures during each phase of analysis and restoration.
Advanced Project for Painting Conservation Hours: 90 Credits: 3
In this final course in the sequence, students carry out demanding conservation work on original works of art under close instructor supervision, but with a high level of autonomy and responsibility. Whether individually or as part of a team, they confront the tasks, conditions and expectations of professionals in the field. Requirements include the preparation of a professional-quality lab report documenting every phase and the techniques used, orderly working procedures, solid and pertinent research, a precise analysis of the works support, ground, binders, and paint layers (with visible, raking and UV light, trans-illumination, and the stereomicroscope), and accurate written and photographic documentation.
Advanced Project in Interior Design Hours: 60 Credits: 3
With instructor guidance, student teams develop a comprehensive interior design project for a selected space. Once the theoretical client and project parameters have been decided on, each group develops a concept and main ideas, the spaces style and character, colors and atmosphere, and the individual furnishings that complete it through a series of visual representations of the space and its contents. The required technical drawings will be discussed and assigned in class. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended.
Advertising is far more than just organizing images into a commercial. Every ad on the Internet, TV, or in print is designed to deliver a particular message to a particular, target audience, aiming to create a positive perception of the product in the consumers mind. We explore the theory and practice of contemporary advertising: the media and graphic strategies used to deliver it, the philosophy behind it, its impact on the economy and consumer behavior, and current advertising trends from a creative and marketing standpoint. What makes for successful advertising? We also gauge the impact of stereotypes in advertising, and societys reaction to them.
Aesthetics of Design: Theory and Practice Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How the concepts and methods of aesthetic theory (the investigation of what makes something a work of art) apply to the field of design (products, interiors, architecture, graphics). How do new forms of design come about, how is value attributed to them, and what governs the ways we experience them? Is design a form of art? We explore the meanings of formalism and expressionism, the cultural, social and political influences on design, and the unique evolution of design in Italy, from its Renaissance heritage to the decades that made it internationally famous (1960s-80s). How does the Italian design experience compare with its modern and contemporary counterparts abroad? Florences extraordinary visual design tradition forms an ideal backdrop to our intellectual investigation.
An Italian Sensory Experience: Pairing Food and Wine Hours: 42 Credits: 3
The variety of Italys regional culinary traditions has played a large part in the fame and worldwide success of Italian cuisine. And nowhere is this diversity more advantageous than in the skilled pairing of food and wine to enhance the flavors of both, and of the culinary experience in general. We explore both traditional and more innovative techniques used by professionals in the science of eno-gastronomic pairings. Students develop their knowledge of the classification systems and technical terminology for Italian wines, and familiarize themselves with the chemistry of wine and health issues related to its consumption.
Why and how were the pyramids built? How do you read hieroglyphics? What did ancient Egyptians believe occurred after death? We explore the major sites, objects, and texts from this civilization in the Nile Valley to gain insight into their culture, politics, art, religion, and literature. In addition to covering 4000 years of Egyptian civilization, from its origins in the late 4th millennium BCE until the late Roman Empire, we also discuss the field of modern Egyptology, in which Italy has played an important role. Students examine both primary and secondary sources, as well as archaeological data. Includes a visit to Florences own Egyptian Museum.
A comprehensive introduction to ancient Roman civilization, from its origins in the 8th century BCE to its fall 14 centuries later. Through key events and major figures, we explore a variety of themes and methodological issues: the primary sources of ancient history, the political organization of the Roman state, Romes territorial expansion and its cultural and administrative influence in subject lands, Roman religion and the spread of Christianity, the end of the Roman world and the rise of new social models, and the historiographical "myth of Rome." Our problem-oriented approach aims to stimulate critical-thinking skills and developing students familiarity in working with historically significant primary sources.
Anthropology of Fashion and Desirability: Beyond the Catwalk Hours: 45 Credits: 3
What can anthropological methods tell us about fashion? How are beauty, gender, and the body constructed through clothing design and visual culture? How do ancient artifacts influence designers? What is the relationship between fashion and art? Ever since fashion became the subject of academic study in the 1980s, these questions and more have come to the forefront, and their answers continue to challenge us on a daily basis. We explore anthropologys contribution to the study of fashion as an academic discipline, and to our understanding of it as a cultural expression. Key topics include the construction of meaning in fashion and visual culture, and the interaction of fashion with material culture through the production and consumption of fashion objects.
Archaeology Field School: Tuscania (Italy) Hours: 148 Credits: 6
An intensive, four-week journey into the world of archaeology, with a unique combination of supervised fieldwork and academic instruction by archaeologists and other specialists. We explore Etruscan civilization in its material culture, artistic production, and socio-political organization, while contributing to the ongoing excavation and preservation of an active site and learning fundamental archaeological techniques. Offered in collaboration with the Center for Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies (CAMNES), the course is held in Tuscania, one of the richest Etruscan archaeological areas. Includes weekly visits to other relevant sites, monuments and museums, in both the Tuscia region and Rome.
A practical introduction to ancient artifact conservation and documentation. At our Archaeology Lab, students gain firsthand experience working with the 2500-year-old artefacts recently unearthed at the Hellenistic necropolis of Bosco della Riserva, near Tuscania in central Italy, part of our ongoing joint excavation with CAMNES. What happens to archaeological finds when they leave the dig site and reach the lab? How are they processed and assembled to help us better understand our ancient past? Under instructor guidance, students learn and participate in the basic steps of restoration, conservation, documentation, study, and storage. This course also provides eligibility for our Tuscania Summer Field School, held directly at one of our active archaeological excavations.
Architecture in its Environment Hours: 90 Credits: 3
How is a buildings architecture related to the world around it? Why do environmental issues, understood in the broadest sense, play such an important role in the overall success of an architectural intervention? We explore the vertical and horizontal dimensions of cities and towns, how urban spaces are shaped and used, and how the natural landscape can be used to enhance built environments. Students carry out a major project linked to a specific urban context: after extensive firsthand analysis of the site (including observation and sketching), its history and its surroundings, they analyze and critique its major elements, themes, and problems. Completed projects, including sketches, plans, and elevation and sectional diagrams, are presented to the class. Note: A personal laptop computer is highly recommended for design projects.
Architecture Studio: Special Topics Hours: 90 Credits: 3
An opportunity to conceive and carry out advanced design projects based largely on themes of local or national importance. Projects generally involve the comprehensive design and analysis of modern medium-to-large scale complexes and public buildings such as museums, airports, railway stations, waterfronts, or hospital complexes. Students expand and hone the skills necessary to create a comprehensive architectural vision and implement plans of significant scale and complexity.
Art History I: Antiquity to Early Renaissance Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How did the visual arts in Western Europe change between ancient Greece and the end of the Middle Ages? What parts of this artistic heritage did the Renaissance masters revive and transform, and what did they discard? We get to know the principal painters, sculptors and architects, their major works, dominant themes and motifs, and the historical, philosophical and cultural contexts so essential to understanding the visual arts and their impact. Topics include the interpretation of subject and symbols, artistic techniques and styles, and public and private patronage. Onsite teaching offers students the incomparable experience of studying masterpieces firsthand. An introduction to the field that aims to foster an appreciation of art history and lay the foundations for further study.
Art History II: High Renaissance to the Present Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A survey of the visual arts in Western Europe from the early 16th century to the present. We familiarize ourselves with the most important changes in artistic taste and style, and get to know the major painters, sculptors and architects and their principal work and themes. To better understand the visual arts and their impact on society over time, we also explore the major historical, philosophical, and cultural changes and contexts of the period. Our focus is on interpreting subjects and symbols, identifying different artistic techniques and styles, and recognizing the role of public and private patrons. Onsite teaching gives students firsthand access to major works of art and architecture, making their study all the more meaningful. An introduction to the discipline and a springboard to a greater appreciation of art and further studies in the field.
Arts and Society Through an Anthropological Lens Hours: 45 Credits: 3
What do artists and anthropologists have in common? What does it mean to use art as a research tool in anthropology? Can contemporary artists be inspired by social sciences in their creative endeavors? Throughout the twentieth century and in the first decades of the new millennium anthropologists have become more and more interested in using art as a research method and as a creative way of sharing their work with the rest of the world. At the same time, contemporary artists have introduced ethnographic methods in their artistic practice to have a major impact on social issues, as demonstrated in global movements such as Arts and Society. This course explores the relationship between anthropology and the arts, in particular, literature, music, dance, theatre, cinema, and photography in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. We will examine both fields as creative ways of looking at the world, focusing in particular on how the arts have been included as a method in anthropological research, how anthropology has been used as a reference for contemporary art, and how this affects our view of the world.
Avant-Garde and Modernist Art (1900-1950) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Modern art in Europe and America in the first half of the 20th century. Picasso, Matisse, Kirchner, Duchamp, Boccioni, De Chirico, Ernst, Magritte, Pollock. After reviewing the artistic and cultural revolutions of the previous half-century, we explore Cubism, Expressionism, Futurism, Constructivism, New Objectivity, Dada, Metaphysical painting, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Neo-Dada, with a particular focus on the pre-World War II historical avant-gardes. What was so revolutionary about their ideas, methods, and artistic expressions? What were they reacting against or promoting, and what was the impact on art of the two world wars that traumatized the first half of the 20th century and beyond?
Both Yoga and Ayurveda can be traced back to ancient Indian Vedic knowledge on health, longevity, the prevention of disease, and rejuvenation. In this course students will explore the history and links between these two great traditions or sister sciences. Students will critically examine the holistic approach of Ayurvedic medicinal practices and learn various ayurvedic rituals that may be incorporated into modern life in order to to live a more balanced and happy life.
An introduction to the techniques of black-and-white printmaking: etchings (hard and soft ground, aquatint, sugar lift, dry point, pastel, spit bite and mixed media), woodcuts, and linoleum cuts. We explore and implement the art and techniques of designing on and printing from metal plates, wood panels, linoleum and other matrices. What is the history of this unique form of visual communication, both in Italy and in the rest of Europe since the Renaissance? What role did prints play in the social, political and intellectual history of Europe? We analyze works in these media by Mantegna, Pollaiuolo, Parmigianino, Rembrandt, and Goya, as well as more modern artists such as De Chirico, Carrà, Picasso, Munch and Seurat.
Beauty will Save the World: Introduction to Aesthetics Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Aesthetics literally means "the science of sense perception", it is the study of the sensory messages, the mediums through which they are conveyed, and the artistic expressions that massage the senses. As the highest expression of human experience, art serves as a response to the unimaginable atrocities perpetrated by humanity, reminding us of the importance of maintaining faith in the human spirit. But what is art? Is there any inter-subjective standard of taste, or is it solely based on subjective feelings? Is art becoming obsolete in the age of AI and cybernetic reproduction, or is it undergoing a new transformation?" All of these questions revolve around the fundamental issue: what is human creativity? Through lectures, readings, debates, hands-on exercises and visits to renowned artistic institutions in Florence, we investigate how art and philosophy inform one another and shape our understanding of the world.
Beyond Modern Capitalism: Rethinking the Global Socio-Economic Order Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How has the current socio-economic order come to be? What are its origins, its most important developments, and what, if any, are the alternatives? With a critical, multidisciplinary approach, we examine the role of political, economic and social elements and forces in the evolution of the current capitalist system, fleshing out both its positive and negative aspects. We look at whether capitalism has a sustainable future, and investigate the feasibility of alternate models: would they be more capable of satisfying socio-economic needs in fair and equitable ways?
Beyond the Postcard: Documenting Florence and Its Community Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Florence is one of the most photographed cities but most visitors are unaware of the complex realities that exist beyond the typical postcard. With an emphasis on photojournalism and storytelling, students will focus on a specific district of Florence and aim to communicate the contemporary reality and daily lives of its inhabitants. Through in-depth research of a particular area of the city and interacting with the local communities, students will gain a deeper understanding of the sociological aspects in the Tuscan capital. In relation to the topics discussed, relevant photographic movements will be explored such as the New Topographics of the 1970s as well as works of contemporary European photographers. By employing digital technologies, the students will strengthen their post-production editing techniques via software such as Adobe Photoshop. At the conclusion of the course, students will present their photographic studies of their selected district and will further their awareness of the diverse realities that encompass life in present-day Florence.
Beyond the Postcard: Documenting Florence and Its Community (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Florence is one of the most photographed cities but most visitors are unaware of the complex realities that exist beyond the typical postcard. With an emphasis on photojournalism and storytelling, students will focus on a specific district of Florence and aim to communicate the contemporary reality and daily lives of its inhabitants. Through in-depth research of a particular area of the city and interacting with the local communities, students will gain a deeper understanding of the sociological aspects in the Tuscan capital. In relation to the topics discussed, relevant photographic movements will be explored such as the New Topographics of the 1970s as well as works of contemporary European photographers. By employing digital technologies, the students will strengthen their post-production editing techniques via software such as Adobe Photoshop. At the conclusion of the course, students will present their photographic studies of their selected district and will further their awareness of the diverse realities that encompass life in present-day Florence.
Beyond the Postcard: Documenting Tuscania and Its Community Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Tuscania is a highly photogenic town but most visitors are unaware of the complex realities that exist beyond the typical postcard. With an emphasis on photojournalism and storytelling, students focus on a specific area of Tuscania and aim to communicate its historical architecture and the contemporary lives of its inhabitants through photography. Following in-depth research of a particular area of the city and interacting with the local communities, students gain a deeper understanding of this remote town in northern Lazio. In relation to the topics discussed, relevant photographic movements will be explored such as the New Topographics of the 1970s as well as works of contemporary European photographers. By employing digital technologies, the students will strengthen their post-production editing techniques using software such as Adobe Photoshop. At the end of the course, students will present their photographic studies of their selected district furthering their awareness of the diverse realities that encompass life in historical and contemporary Tuscania.
Brand management is now a major part of the professional graphic designers activity. We guide students through the process of creating a new brand: analyzing pertinent economic trends, forecasting consumer behavior, shaping corporate identity, and using this information to design, textually and visually, all the facets of a new commercial creation: name, logo, general look and feel, payoff, slogans, and multimedia formats. The marketing and copywriting skills you need to become an all-around graphic designer in todays business world.
Familiarize yourself with the essential tools and techniques of computer-aided design for the fashion industry. Using Adobe Illustrator® and Adobe Photoshop®, students create digital layouts and get to know the entire design process, from concept and the research process to technical flat drawings for industry. We also cover various presentation formats and techniques specific to the field. Coursework includes mood boards, color stories, fabric, textile prints, and pattern designs. Note: A basic understanding of garment construction is recommended.
Apply your knowledge of computer-aided design technology to transform creative abilities into professional digital presentations using industry-standard software. We focus on consolidating and expanding research skills both for identifying target markets and concept development. Students develop the skills for designing a comprehensive collection, from planning to line development, including the choice of materials and the execution of technical flats and spec sheets for industry use.
The foundations of computer-aided design for interiors, as both a drawing and management tool during the course of a project. Through lectures and hands-on experience, we explore the theory and practical applications of a variety of software programs for facilitating and enriching the interior design process. How to create, view and manipulate technical drawings. Topics include bit map versus vector graphics, color theory and management, graphics file formats, and 2-D applications as they relate to design disciplines. Students gain experience producing computer-generated plans, sections and elevations, and grasp the interdisciplinary, multifaceted nature of the design process.
The basics of three-dimensional drawing and solid modeling. Students acquire the essential tools for analyzing and presenting design concepts in three-dimensional form, while familiarizing themselves with the methods and materials of model construction. Topics include solid composition and modeling, 3-D orthographic views, perspectives, shading and rendering, management of lighting and materials, and multiple representations of a single object or space. Our objective is to use solid modeling not only as a method of representation, but in order to control and verify the creative process, developing students capabilities of visualizing and designing interiors.
A capping course required of all senior Communications majors. It ties together the various elements in a students course of study and academic experience, uniting the various sub-fields in which students have specialized and reinforcing the connections between them and the applications of these subjects in their professional future.
Ceramics are good for you. We explore a wide range of concepts and practices for developing this outlet for creative expression that is also a proven source of psycho-physical well-being: the tactile experience involved, the focus on creativity and self-expression, and the sense of a reconnection between the body and the earth. Not only do we delve into the technical processes of producing ceramics (working clay, firing, finishing with slips and glazes), but we do so with an emphasis on optimal posture and positioning of hands, wrists and fingers in order to associate this experience with a sense of physical comfort. Suitable for students with little or no clay hand-building or wheel-throwing experience.
Ceramics and Well-Being (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Ceramics are good for you. We explore a wide range of concepts and practices for developing this outlet for creative expression that is also a proven source of psycho-physical well-being: the tactile experience involved, the focus on creativity and self-expression, and the sense of a reconnection between the body and the earth. Not only do we delve into the technical processes of producing ceramics (working clay, firing, finishing with slips and glazes), but we do so with an emphasis on optimal posture and positioning of hands, wrists and fingers in order to associate this experience with a sense of physical comfort. Suitable for students with little or no clay hand-building or wheel-throwing experience.
What do infants know at birth? Is aggressiveness in children inborn or acquired? Are children confused by early exposure to multiple languages? How do you raise an altruistic child? We explore development from the prenatal period through adolescence, examining the major theories, findings, approaches and methods of developmental psychology. How do the biological, cognitive, linguistic, social and emotional spheres each contribute, and how are they related? Given their importance, the domestic and scholastic environments will be analyzed particularly closely. Includes in-person and/or video-based observational exercises involving children, which students will use to design appropriate methods for collecting developmental data and explore the differences between their own and Italian culture.
China's Development and the Global Shift Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Why is China so central to the current world economy? Is its growth rate sustainable? Can the Chinese model be exported, and if so, what are its short and long-term costs? Understanding the history of Chinese economic reform, its political, environmental, and social context, and its implications is crucial to understanding the contemporary world. We explore the mechanisms and consequences of modern Chinese economic development and Chinas role in the global economy. Our focus will be on the period following 1978, when China began its dramatic transformation from a planned to a market economy. Major topics and themes include the historical and institutional background of modern China, the countrys geopolitical rise, and key foreign relations issues.
Co(ok)quinarius: Ancient Sources of Italian Cuisine Hours: 45 Credits: 3
In the fascinating setting of Florences Central Market, a handson exploration of the ancient Mediterraneans major culinary culturesthe forerunners of modern Italian cuisine. Making use of the tools of experimental archaeology, we prepare and taste ancient Etruscan, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern dishes and explore the distinction between how food was consumed, and how it was used symbolically. Topics include the social dimensions of food, a history of specific commodities, everyday eating habits and etiquette, and culinary rituals and taboos. Students also develop the manual skills associated with food preparation.
Communication and the Art of Leadership Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The hardest human attribute to define and the easiest to recognize is leadership. Legends abound with examples of how the personal dynamism of a leader turned the tide of history. At no time in the human experience has there been a greater need for effective leadership, especially in Media and Communications. This course explores how the role of the individual, especially in times of extreme volatility, is essential to positive outcomes. We explore strategies, skills and approaches of innovative leaders, as well as examples of how a combination of compassion, charisma and intuition can create a transformative leader, capable of inspiring meaningful change.
Communications Internship in Italian Hours: 135 Credits: 3
This internship offers students the opportunity to gain practical and professional communications experience at a local Florentine community-driven, communications agency, organization or similar establishment. Interns will have the opportunity to develop a range of skills in writing, speaking, editing, and some media management, as well as gain experience in developing new projects. An onsite supervisor and a faculty member continually monitor interns, and work will be assessed through weekly reports, a paper, a special project, and an overall evaluation. Interns are expected to commit 10-12 hours per week to their internship plus bi-weekly meetings with the Internship supervisor(s). Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs onsite, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments), and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: student's CV, two reference letters, formal letter of intent in Italian, English writing sample (due by application deadline), Italian language placement test and onsite interview. Public transport costs may apply.
Communications Research Methods Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Knowing how to conduct research is just as important as knowing what to research. We explore a range of methods for carrying out communications research in both academic and professional settings. Finding information, evaluating it, and drawing conclusions that have value for communications issues in the real world. Students learn the fundamentals of research design and strategy, source identification and data gathering, and types of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Computer Rendering for Interior Design Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Using software to create digital images from a 3D model. We get to know the various imaging technologies, exploring such topics as modeling, color theory, surface rendering, and light control in their applications to the technical drawings of interior spaces and objects. Students also familiarize themselves with the hardware characteristics necessary to support these types of software, and the capabilities of the programs themselves in the interior design field and beyond.
Concepts and Strategies in Retail Design Hours: 90 Credits: 3
A comprehensive look at the role of design and designers in retail, with a particular focus on design theory and the strategic use of space to communicate effectively. Through lectures, workshops, site visits, guest speakers, case studies, and individual assignments, we explore the design concepts and strategies that can revolutionize retail programs, from the products themselves to fashioning the space in which they are displayed. Designs relevance to multi-channel retail strategies in both brick-and-mortar and web-based vendors. Topics include the development of a retail space format, target analysis, site selection, and corporate image management. Coursework strengthens presentation skills and the ability to communicate design concepts in a clear and straightforward way. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended.
How is clothing physically created? We head into the production lab in this first of a series of technical studio courses in fashion design, learning to use different pieces of equipment and getting to know the process of assembling a garment and the various construction methods used in the apparel industry. Students explore sewing techniques including stitches and seam treatments, the application of trim and garment components, and gain practical experience doing finishing work on muslin samples. They develop a sample book of techniques as a reference guide, and put these methods to use in the production of their very own complete garment by courses end.
What determines why people buy certain things, at certain times? How can they be encouraged in certain directions, and how can consumers avoid being manipulated by marketing and advertising? We explore consumer behavior across a number of domains: from the cognitive biases that impact our daily decisions to the ways in which consumers are influenced by the world around them. An interdisciplinary approach that draws on concepts and materials in Behavioral Economics, Psychology, and Marketing, offering a broad introduction as well as specific analysis of case studies to illustrate general ideas and principles.
Consumer Insights and Strategic Development Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Get into the mind of the consumer. What makes people choose between different alternatives (brands, products, retailers)? How are they influenced by their cultural and socio-economic background, family, peers, or the media? We explore the behavior that consumers, groups or organizations display in searching for, purchasing, using, evaluating and disposing of products and services they expect to satisfy their needs, and how to use this information to best develop marketing strategies. A theoretical and practical approach within a global framework, aiming to understand what drives consumer behavior and how individuals and businesses can use this knowledge most effectively.
Major developments in architecture, interior design, and city planning from 1960 to the present, with a particular focus on the last two decades. How has contemporary architecture reflected changes in broader society and culture? We discuss the most important debates concerning aesthetics and theory, including the controversies surrounding the supposed decline of modernism. Students also familiarize themselves with key architects and studios, and how they have distinguished themselves and innovated with respect to their predecessors. While our perspective is global, our emphasis remains European, and on Italy in particular.
Pollock, Rothko, Dubuffet, Rauschenberg, Giacometti, Bacon, Warhol, Morris, Kosuth, Abramovic, Richter, Basquiat, Hirst, Banksy: a wide-ranging exploration of the most significant figures and stylistic trends in late 20th-century art. We investigate the interdisciplinary nature of the contemporary art world, firmly placing artistic production in its social, political and philosophical context, and examine how contemporary artistic languages and the art business interrelate. Topics include Abstract Expressionism, Informal art, Neo-Dada, Minimalism, Site-Specific Art, Conceptualism, Neo-Expressionism, and Graffiti and Street Art. Develops students aptitude for independent, critical thinking and research.
Contemporary European Literature Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A whos who of contemporary European literature. We immerse ourselves in the works of Nobel Prize winners like Samuel Beckett (France/Ireland), Heinrich Böll (Germany), and William Golding (England), as well as other leading literary figures such as Martín Gaite (Spain), Italo Calvino, Antonio Tabucchi, Alessandro Baricco (Italy), and Angela Carter (England). Besides getting to know major figures in the continents leading literary traditions, we also explore non-European authors who lived in Europe and had a significant impact on European literature, including Jorge Luis Borges and Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez.
Contemporary Italian Politics (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We explore and discuss a series of crucial historical issues and situations between the end of World War II and the present: the structures of the Italian state and government, political parties and their evolution, the post-war economic miracle, the influence of the mafia on public and political life, the era of political terrorism, the Tangentopoli corruption scandal, recent presidents, and immigration and integration. Students familiarize themselves with the history of contemporary Italian politics while expanding their vocabulary and conversational Italian skills. They also explore how language is used (and abused) in the political arena and what political terms and expressions have become part of everyday language.
Contemporary Italy through the Media (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We read and discuss articles from prominent Italian magazines and newspapers, view television broadcasts and documentaries, and listen to radio transmissions to explore how the media represents todays Italy and Italians. What are the differences between traditional and new media? Topics include politics, education, religion, economy, art, science, entertainment and other areas of modern Italian life. Includes frequent oral and written reports to strengthen reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, and develop command of contemporary Italian in a variety of contexts.
Content Design and Research for Artists Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The basic skills for creating publishing material to promote yourself as an artist. Our primary goal is to enable students to develop thoughtful content and an effective presentation through the process of content design. We explore how to conduct effective research, manage textual and visual content, and present it creatively through the basic principles of visual communication. Includes an introduction to Adobe InDesign and the basic Photoshop techniques used in Desktop Publishing to create three different types of publishing output.
Corporate Social Responsibility Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Corporate social responsibility (or CSR) refers to companies need to ensure that business success goes hand in hand with policies that safeguard and promote the health and welfare of local communities and society at large. But who is responsible for corporate social responsibility? Individual workers, specific departments, or companies as a whole? How can corporations impact the world, both positively and negatively? CSR is intricately linked to the concept of sustainability, or our ability to reconcile human activity with the planets long-term well-being, and we focus on the benefits of making a company sustainable. Topics include the frameworks, contexts, and processes of ethical decision-making, environmental ethics, NGOs, auditing and social performance reporting, and stake-holder management.
Creative Processes in Visual Communication Hours: 90 Credits: 3
An intermediate-level course in which we emphasize creativity and a grasp of the principles of aesthetic quality, both essential features of "Italian Style." Topics include the rules of visual perception, structural grids, harmonic proportions, color contrasts, the spatial relations of shapes, compositions, and figuration and abstraction, which we explore through lectures as well as exercises and projects. An immersion in the world of art, and the reasons why artists of all shapes and sizes are able to move and inspire their audience, despite the fact that their work is often of a quite personal nature. Suitable both for students with a graphic design background, and art students looking to learn more about graphic arts for their communications and advertising applications.
Explores both the theoretical and practical aspects of creative writing through the basic principles and techniques for producing quality written work. We introduce and explore a variety of writing aids and inspirational exercises to stimulate students creativity and pave the way for producing various types of texts. Written work is read out loud and critiqued as a class, enabling students to develop a greater critical awareness of their own writing as well as learn from their peers experiences and solutions. Geared toward seriously motivated, self-disciplined students looking to develop their ability to write creatively and effectively. Includes mid-term and final writing projects that reflect the themes and processes discussed during the semester.
Crosscultural Communication in the Workplace Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The workplace is becoming increasingly multicultural, whether the context is side by side in an office, or a collaboration on international projects. What are the difficulties and solutions in getting outside the comfort zone of our own cultural expectations and being sensitive to those of others? Our goal is to understand intercultural interactions in business or in the workplace from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. We explore business practices in different countries, with a focus on Italy and the U.S., and discuss them in the context of case studies. Student will also actively participate in role-play and observational exercises designed to help anticipate and manage intercultural misunderstandings at work, as well as in more informal settings.
Current Trends in Italian Cuisine Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Whats new in the world of Italian cooking? Whether its a family dinner or haute cuisine, we explore how Italian cooks and chefs are reinterpreting regional traditions and revaluating marginalized ingredients and techniques, with the overall effect of creating a lighter, healthier style of Italian cuisine. In the hands-on portion of the class, students have the opportunity to consolidate basic cooking skills, learn to select quality ingredients, as well as exploring more specialized techniques. We also compare students normal eating habits with those of Italians, both past and present, and examine specific regional culinary cultures and how theyve been influenced by social and environmental forces.
Dantes Quest for Lovefrom the Divine Comedy to Contemporary Culture and Media Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Therefore I pray you, gentle father dear, to teach me what love is. Dantes plea to Vergil in the Divine Comedy engaged some of the brightest minds in late medieval Europe: natural philosophers, theologians, poets. And the Florentine poets spiritual and sentimental journey has never ceased to inspire his fellow artists. We begin by examining the Comedys sources, particularly references in classical culture, French and Italian courtly love poetry, chivalric novels, the theological debate on the nature of God and the soul. Then we dive into Dantes magnum opus itself, familiarizing ourselves with the most significant characters and passages throughout the text. Finally, we explore how this medieval masterpiece has inspired a whole series of works in the figurative arts, music, TV, and film.
Sharpen your analytical and technical skills in creating design solutions for living spaces that represent a range of contemporary lifestyles and needs (single unit, family, social care, etc.). We examine and familiarize ourselves with the techniques and tools that allow interior designers to respond to clients specific requirements in terms of space, technology, emotional atmosphere, and accessibility. Students are encouraged to explore design solutions that express a well-defined decorative and architectural approach. Our focuses are on effective programming, building code issues, spatial planning, and furniture choice and arrangement. Students main project requires them to consider both the functional and aesthetic sides of a space, design an appropriate solution, and present it effectively and accurately.
Design for Living Spaces (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Sharpen your analytical and technical skills in creating design solutions for living spaces that represent a range of contemporary lifestyles and needs (single unit, family, social care, etc.). We examine and familiarize ourselves with the techniques and tools that allow interior designers to respond to clients specific requirements in terms of space, technology, emotional atmosphere, and accessibility. Students are encouraged to explore design solutions that express a well-defined decorative and architectural approach. Our focuses are on effective programming, building code issues, spatial planning, and furniture choice and arrangement. Students main project requires them to consider both the functional and aesthetic sides of a space, design an appropriate solution, and present it effectively and accurately.
Effective design depends on a thorough knowledge of materials, and the development of new materials often goes hand in hand with the emergence of new ways of conceiving objects. We explore materials, both new and old, and processing methods from the perspective of todays interior designer. The composition, mechanical properties, durability and workability of stone, wood, fabric, paint, plaster, ceramics, plastics, rubber, resin, metal, glass, composite materials, carbon fiber, Teflon-coated fiberglass, Kevlar, fiber-optic fabrics, and recycled materials. Other topics include finishing, surface treatments, and color choice. Students explore different spaces or objects, and the relation of their material composition to the functional and aesthetic outcome of a project.
Digital Graphic Techniques Fundamentals Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Essential computer graphics techniques and skills for utilizing the standard set of software applications for the design field. An in-depth exploration of image optimization and manipulation, graphic illustration basics, and web design principles. Students carry out practical individual projects involving image creation and enhancement, graphic illustration, and web layout design. They also have the opportunity to develop professional printing skills through experience at a commercial printing center.
Digital Graphic Techniques Fundamentals (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Essential computer graphics techniques and skills for utilizing the standard set of software applications for the design field. An in-depth exploration of image optimization and manipulation, graphic illustration basics, and web design principles. Students carry out practical individual projects involving image creation and enhancement, graphic illustration, and web layout design. They also have the opportunity to develop professional printing skills through experience at a commercial printing center.
Digital Graphic Techniques Fundamentals (Summer and Intersession) Hours: 42 Credits: 3
Essential computer graphics techniques and skills for utilizing the standard set of software applications for the design field. An in-depth exploration of image optimization and manipulation, graphic illustration basics, and web design principles. Students carry out practical individual projects involving image creation and enhancement, graphic illustration, and web layout design. They also have the opportunity to develop professional printing skills through experience at a commercial printing center.
Expand your artistic portfolio by combining traditional and digital media. In drawing sessions in the historic center of Florence, we explore fundamental drawing concepts and techniques: creating three-dimensional space through the use of linear perspective and construction of complex forms using simple volumes, drawing the sculpted and live human figure, and creating balanced and interesting compositions. Then we discuss how to create drawings suitable for digitalization. In the lab sessions, students learn to scan selected drawings and paint them with Photoshop, accumulating know-how crucial for both traditional and digital painting. Exercises include creating multiple versions of a single painting, painting a set of images with gouache, and developing and modifying traditional paintings using Photoshop.
Digital Sketchbook (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Expand your artistic portfolio by combining traditional and digital media. In drawing sessions in the historic center of Florence, we explore fundamental drawing concepts and techniques: creating three-dimensional space through the use of linear perspective and construction of complex forms using simple volumes, drawing the sculpted and live human figure, and creating balanced and interesting compositions. Then we discuss how to create drawings suitable for digitalization. In the lab sessions, students learn to scan selected drawings and paint them with Photoshop, accumulating know-how crucial for both traditional and digital painting. Exercises include creating multiple versions of a single painting, painting a set of images with gouache, and developing and modifying traditional paintings using Photoshop.
Essential skills in digital media applications. Developing text, still and moving images, information graphics, and audio files for web-based presentations in a wide range of communication professions. An essential foundation for more advanced courses involving web-based production.
Discover Painting: Tuscania through Color and Space (Summer only) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
How is color used to construct space in a painting, and why is it such an important element in design? How do space and color contribute to expressing the painted subject? Why and how did early Christian artists use mosaic? How can an understanding of space, color, form and material be used to communicate spiritual themes effectively? We explore the answers to these and other questions through the experience of painting against the backdrop of the beautiful town of Tuscania and the surrounding countryside. Students are guided and stimulated to engage in visual research that contributes new insights to their own pictorial language. Includes a series of visits (once every two weeks) to medieval churches and other historic sites in and around Tuscania for painting, which students then complete in the studio under the instructors guidance.
Explores a particular method of pattern development that begins with shaping muslin on a dress form. An introduction to the rules of draping, and how to create variations on the basic bodice and skirt. From concept to finished garment, student designers have the opportunity to experiment with a creative implementation of the various construction details. Focuses on using the draping method to express original designs, including in a final project that should display an ability to combine technical proficiency and creative flair. Requires accurate workmanship and attention to detail.
Introduces the historical evolution of drawing techniques. The concepts and methods for developing students eye for proportion, measurement techniques, and composition are practiced by accurately copying old master's drawings. We explore techniques for drawing the full human figure as well as anatomical sections (hands, head, feet), the relationship of figures to space, uncommon perspectives such as foreshortening, focus and detail, and the tratteggio shading technique, often used to achieve a chiaroscuro effect. Targeted exercises strengthen manual dexterity and technical drawing ability. Final grades are based on proficiency in specific Renaissance-era drawing techniques, and a portfolio of anatomical drawings and portions of copies done with tratteggio.
A practical, professional experience in an Italian private school, at the pre-school, elementary, middle, or high school level. Interns perform activities that may include teaching English to children aged 3-18, and organizing lesson plans and activities for children aged 18 months-3 years. Monitoring is carried out by a faculty member and an onsite supervisor. Grades reflect the assessment of weekly reports, two papers, and an overall evaluation. 10-12 hours weekly at internship site; schedules and onsite duties may vary. Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs on-site, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments), and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: students CV, two reference letters, a formal letter of intent. Supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of the term. Public transport costs may apply.
Global warming, the energy crisis, land degradation, nuclear issues, pollution: the human-influenced environmental problems with which we have to cope are many and complex. Do science and technology represent our best hope for solving them? Or is it a question of finding a sustainable balance between conservation and resource use? How should we relate to the environment in general, and to what ultimate purpose? We focus on environmental ethics, going beyond philosophy to ask not only what the right ideas are, but how we should act and make decisions concerning the natural world. Topics include the exploration of various schools of environmental thought, as well as questions of ontology, aesthetics and theology, and a comparison of anthropocentric vs. biocentric ethical theories.
Learn the techniques and visual possibilities of black-and-white and color etching: intaglio, aquatints, soft ground, super aquatint, and photo etching. We develop the skills to manage both the preparation of the original matrix and the printing process that allows the engraved image to be reproduced. Students employ their knowledge to create prints in a variety of subject matter: creative interpretations of the human figure, still lifes, landscapes, and abstract and geometric structures. They hone their command of form, value, line and composition and their general ability to express themselves creatively, stimulated by instructor prompts aimed at developing a wide range of artistic skills. Florences extraordinary artistic and architectural heritage provides a unique backdrop and endless material for inspiration and analysis.
An architectural approach to designing exhibition spaces. First we examine challenges and solutions in designing temporary trade fairs and conventions: how to manage and present the related spaces effectively from both a functional and aesthetic standpoint. Another main area of focus is museum exhibitions: we explore organizational difficulties, and how to present objects in such a way that their intended meaning is conveyed to the public, while safeguarding the materials and the museum itself. Students analyze and discuss themes and problems concerning the design of spaces more generally, and which therefore have a multitude of professional applications. Individual projects stimulate students conceptual and practical design skills, and their creativity in a variety of contexts. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended.
A space in which fine arts majors can engage critically with the creative process in their work, problem-solve, explore the boundaries and connections between media, exchange ideas, and better define their personal visions. Students cultivate self-reflection, an expanded creativity, and the ability to work independently. Wherever they are in their course of study, they receive effective support and guidance in formulating and developing projects that represent precise, ambitious, and feasible goals. Resources and solutions include switching from one medium to another, adopted a mixed-media approach, overcoming limits with regard to a certain skillset, finding new inspiration, or developing and applying particular creative strategies.
An exploration of fashion and how the elements of an environment contribute to shaping design concepts. We look to Florences rich artistic and cultural history as a source of inspiration and potential solutions in experimental fashion design. Students are encouraged to be creative in unexpected ways, whether in their research, assigned projects, or interactive site visits. One of our focuses is investigating alternative approaches to materials in creating fashion designs, challenging students to reflect on issues concerning environmental and economic sustainability and think outside the box. An opportunity to expand creative skills by using uncommon materials and pushing traditional boundaries in the age-old quest to clothe the human form.
A practical studio course on how to manipulate and modify surface designs through such techniques as dyeing, painting, screen-printing, and digital printing. We also look at a range of unique surface treatments including embroidery, beading, and appliqué. Students hone their visual communication skills through the presentation of concept development, trend research, and mood boards. Includes the creation of a digital portfolio to illustrate the diverse techniques mastered and how they are integrated into the design of original textiles.
Sustainability plays a crucial role in the future of the fashion industry by fostering change in the product development process and consumer purchasing practices. Students gain an understanding of sustainable practices in the fashion and textiles industries while specifically addressing social, environmental, economic and cultural factors influencing solutions including historical perspective, business and supply chain considerations. The vital impact of social responsibility and change are considered within the relevant key issues in the production of eco-intelligent products and as it affects lifestyle. This course serves to build upon problem solving skills while promoting transparency and systems of sustainable thinking in making responsible decisions for the manufacturer, retailer and consumer.
Fashion retail is a fascinating and constantly evolving field, and understanding its dynamics and main principles is critical to success in buying, selling or communicating consumer fashion products and services. We explore the fundamentals of retail buying, including planning, assorting, pricing and purchasing fashion inventories, and the effects of different retail formats on purchasing, identifying and evaluating resources, and sourcing ethics. Given that fashion is a reflection of society, another important aspect is understanding current events and their effects on retail buying. Designed for students with basic knowledge in the field who are exploring the possibility of a career in fashion buying, merchandising, and/or marketing. An emphasis on developing communication and teamwork skills.
How to convey fashion brand identity and positioning through both traditional and digital channels. Fashion communication takes place through all types of media: newspapers, magazines, film, the visual arts, social media, photography, blogging and more. We explore trends and solutions for improving the communication of a brands value. Analyzing web marketing and advertising campaigns and strategies; writing about and reviewing fashion and fashion shows; and finding and using social media and marketing research data to enhance the value of a brand and communicate it to a broader, global consumer base.
How do consumers make purchasing decisions in the fashion sphere? What are their primary motivations, and what does wearing or owning certain types of clothing mean to them? We explore the key concepts and theories for understanding consumer behavior, learning to identify cultural influences and analyze demographics, psychographics, and consumer dynamics. The importance of perception, communication, and ethics in determining why people become customers, and the reasons why they might remain faithful to a certain style or brand. How are consumers impacted by the purchase itself, what sensations do they associate with the process? Students have the opportunity to analyze actual research data and apply their findings in exercises for developing marketing strategies.
Gain the crucial experience of planning a virtual company, from concept to creation. Students learn to write a business plan, analyze markets and competition, create a brand image, select multiple distribution channels, and manage human resources. While focused on fashion, the skills developed in this course are relevant and applicable for students with interests in any business field.
Beginning-level exploration of the tools, concepts, and techniques for drawing fashion figures, with a particular focus on proportions and poses. Students develop their skills in expressing line, style, and personality in these representations that serve as a crucial first step in the design process. We discuss and experiment with a variety of approaches, focusing on understanding and recreating three-dimensional forms on paper with this technical form of drawing. Includes first-hand demonstrations to help students gain confidence in communicating their artistic vision on paper.
We explore the fascinating world of illustrating for the fashion industry. Students learn to draw fashion figures, and render fabrics and designs using a variety of media including markers, pencils, and collage. Focuses include illustrating fashion designs attractively and precisely, particularly through technical flats, and strengthening coloring and shading skills. We also cover the creation of conceptual mood boards, researching target markets, and the formation of a collection, which students undertake as part of their coursework. Includes a visit to the world-renowned Museum of Costume and Fashion at the Pitti Palace.
Fashion Illustration I (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
We explore the fascinating world of illustrating for the fashion industry. Students learn to draw fashion figures, and render fabrics and designs using a variety of media such as markers, pencils, and collage. Focuses include illustrating fashion designs attractively and precisely, particularly through technical flats, and strengthening coloring and shading skills. We also cover the creation of conceptual mood boards, researching target markets, and the formation of a collection, which students undertake as part of their coursework. Includes a visit to the world-renowned Museum of Costume and Fashion at the Pitti Palace.
An intermediate-level drawing course that builds on a basic knowledge of fashion design and drawing skills. We focus on developing the ability to render a variety of fabrics and textural effects on a garment as the foundation of a personal illustration style. Students further refine their technical drawing skills to expand their range and deepen knowledge of industry methods. Assignments include designing an original collection with a conceptual mood board, including target market research.
Strategies for selling fashion successfully in a digital, globalized world. We focus on brand and marketing strategies for product development, advertising, promotion, and retailing. The thinking behind promotional campaigns and the importance of the emotional aspects of fashion communication. Current business practices, new and emerging trends, and issues that impact the fast-moving environment of the fashion and textile industry. Students also investigate the aspects connected specifically to the internationalization of the industry, such as trade shows and other key events. What distinguishes the European fashion system, why is it so important, and how does it compare with American brands and strategies? Case-study analysis provides a vision of how companies in todays environment are developing marketing plans to meet new consumer demands in terms of product design, distribution, and communication.
A practical professional experience in Fashion Merchandising. Interns are placed with independent fashion-related businesses, boutiques or tailoring workshops, where they participate in various activities including retail management, visual merchandising, window display design, events, sales, customer service, sales and inventory reports, and cataloging. They are monitored by an onsite supervisor and a faculty member. Grades reflect the assessment of weekly reports, one paper and one special project, and an overall evaluation. An average of 10-12 hours weekly at the internship site; schedules and onsite duties may vary. Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs on-site, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments), and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: student's CV, two reference letters, a formal letter of intent. Supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of the term and an Italian language placement test. Public transport costs may apply.
How is fashion used as a form of communication? We explore the process of creating a fashion image for a brand, publication, media or entertainment industry through styling. Students gain both a theoretical and practical understanding of how to give creative expression to a concept, plan out projects, manage a team, and interact with photographers and other key figures in the fashion industry. An excellent way to develop expertise in identifying key trends and professional roles in the field.
What do you need to know and know how to do to make a film? What separates an amateur product from a compelling work of art? We cover the basics of individual shots, frame composition, elementary scripting, and editing. Students use personal devices (smartphones, basic photo/video cameras, etc.) and familiarize themselves with more professional videomaking tools, develop creative projects, test their visual storytelling capabilities, and produce a short digital film by courses end. Combines hands-on activities with classroom analysis, discussions of cinematic language, and an exploration of the mediums recent evolution (e.g. the YouTube galaxy, on-demand video services, new media devices and practices).
What do you need to know and know how to do to make a film? What separates an amateur product from a compelling work of art? We cover the basics of individual shots, frame composition, elementary scripting, and editing. Students use personal devices (smartphones, basic photo/video cameras, etc.) and familiarize themselves with more professional videomaking tools, develop creative projects, test their visual storytelling capabilities, and produce a short digital film by courses end. Combines hands-on activities with classroom analysis, discussions of cinematic language, and an exploration of the mediums recent evolution (e.g. the YouTube galaxy, on-demand video services, new media devices and practices).
This follow-up to Filmmaking I explores the language of film images and the figurative and narrative components that gives these images meaning. We take an in-depth look at story line, treatment, screenplay and storyboarding, as well as the unique challenges of both original movie scripts and literary adaptations. Students familiarize themselves with professional filmmaking equipment and the various roles and phases of production: preparation, casting and work plan, directing tools, shooting styles, basic photography and lighting techniques, digital editing, and audio post-production. By understanding how the various creative stages function and fit together, they achieve a comprehensive view of the power of the medium, and how to transform an idea into a finished product.
Florence and Central Italy Easel Paintings and Wood Conservation Workshop Hours: 45 Credits: 6
The course comprises ten days in Florence and twenty field days at the field location. In Florence, students gain the knowledge and basic practical skills necessary to tackle causes of decay to canvas and wood artifacts. By working with original works of art from the 14th to 17th centuries, students learn how to use the principal modern painting restoration techniques. Aided by museum visits, the course surveys historical oil and tempera painting techniques. Students learn to recognize the century in which paintings were created and how to utilize the primary techniques used in modern-day painting conservation. During the field workshop week, students will apply appropriate materials and conservation and restoration techniques to authentic works of art available at different ancient churches and religious complexes under the direction of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Italian churches contain an array of different artifacts and works of art, spanning from ceramics, glass panels and decorations, to wooden furniture and statues, and paintings on different supports. Following a diagnostic study of the artwork in order to understand dating and conservation conditions, participants concentrate on cleaning, consolidating and retouching the artwork while then employing different products for the restoration of the surface layers.
Florence and Central Italy Fresco, Easel Painting, and Wood Conservation Workshop Hours: 45 Credits: 6
The course comprises ten days in Florence and twenty field days at the field location. In Florence, students gain the knowledge and basic practical skills necessary to tackle causes of decay to canvas and wood artifacts. At the LdM labs, participants learn the original fresco techniques, from the mixing of fresco mortar (intonaco) to its application on support, and the use of pigments. Each student makes a sinopia (preliminary underdrawings for fresco) and completes a small fresco on terracotta support. Participants work with original masterpieces dating from the 14th to 17th centuries as they learn how to utilize primary techniques used in modern-day painting conservation. Aided by museum visits, the course surveys historical oil and tempera painting techniques and students learn to recognize the century in which paintings were created. During the field workshop week, students apply appropriate materials of conservation and restoration techniques to authentic works of art under the direction of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Following a diagnostic study of the artwork in order to understand dating and conservation conditions, students concentrate on cleaning and consolidating and retouching the artwork while then employing different products for the restoration of the surface layers then concluding with the pictorial layer.
Florence and the House of the Medici Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The history of an extraordinary Florentine family and its ties to the city. We trace its fortunes for over three hundred years, from the rise of the Medici bank in the late 14th and early 15th century to the extinction of the princely dynasty in 1737. How did the Medici amass and wield their immense power? How were they able to rule Florence, control the papacy, act as the "needle of the Italian compass" and, at times, influence the policies of an entire continent? The familys ranks included statesmen, scholars, patrons of the arts, collectors, entrepreneurs and impresarios, as well as both poets and popes. Through the Medici we also explore some of the most important philosophical and artistic movements of the time, and the great artists and intellectualsincluding Michelangelo, Politian, Donatello, and Botticelliwho worked under their patronage. Includes numerous visits to palaces, churches, and museums.
Florence Bites: Understanding a City through Food Hours: 45 Credits: 3
If you have a passion for travel, Italian traditional food, and gastronomic culture, this is the course for you. Florence is the capital of Tuscany, one of the most important regions from a gastronomic and historical standpoint. Florence is forged by several centuries of changes: From the Roman age, the Middle age, the Renaissance and until modern times, every era enriched the gastronomy of the city, providing a unique food outline. We will unravel the city's rich history, providing cultural and historical context along the way, also through a guided gastronomical heritage tour. You will devour the lessons composed by lectures, didactic tastings, site visits, and field trips, enjoying an immersive experience into the heart of gastronomic Florentine customs.
Florence in the Literary Imagination Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Why have Tuscany, and Florence in particular, occupied such a unique place in the Anglo-American literary imagination? How have Florentine authors as different as Dante Alighieri and Vasco Pratolini influenced English-language masterpieces? We first examine early Tuscan influences on English literature, then shift our focus to the analysis of travel notes, journals, novels, and poems. Then its on to the works of British and American novelists, writers, and poets who drew particular inspiration from the Tuscan and Florentine environment: P.B. Shelley, Elizabeth Browning, D.H. Lawrence, E.M. Forster, Thomas Harris. Particular attention is also given to films drawn from novels set in Florence, such as Forsters A Room with a View.
An original format for developing observational, drawing and watercolor skills. Students create a series of sketchbooks whose material they transform into finished drawing projects. After an introduction to basic drawing techniques with pencil, pen and other media, we dedicate ourselves to outdoor sketching in and around the city, honing skills in representing a variety of subjects including the human form, architecture, and landscape. Exploiting the advantages of the site, we explore historical monuments, Florences vibrant street life, formal gardens, and the outdoor sculptures and squares that symbolize the artistic heritage of medieval and Renaissance Florence. Develops students ability to capture impressions efficiently in various media and at various rates and scales, and use a journal-like container for recording notes, ideas, and sketches, analyzing artwork, and developing personal interests.
An original format for developing observational, drawing and watercolor skills. Students create a series of sketchbooks whose material they transform into finished drawing projects. After an introduction to basic drawing techniques with pencil, pen and other media, we dedicate ourselves to outdoor sketching in and around the city, honing skills in representing a variety of subjects including the human form, architecture, and landscape. Exploiting the advantages of the site, we explore historical monuments, Florences vibrant street life, formal gardens, and the outdoor sculptures and squares that symbolize the artistic heritage of medieval and Renaissance Florence. Develops students ability to capture impressions efficiently in various media and at various rates and scales, and use a journal-like container for recording notes, ideas, and sketches, analyzing artwork, and developing personal interests.
A chance to conduct artistic research and give free reign to your creativity, sketching from the museums, streets, and public spaces of Florence, part of a centuries-long tradition in which countless artists have participated. We immerse ourselves in the city and its magical aura, drawing inspiration from sculptures, paintings, architecture, formal gardens and squares, as well as the daily life of streets and markets. Technical focuses include an effective use of foreshortening and perspective. Students are encouraged to jot down notes and impressions and actively pursue their own areas of interest. A lively, refreshing approach to developing observational skills and drawing and painting techniques, while compiling an array of source material for future projects.
Florentia: The Ancient Roots of Florence Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Florences ancient past, from the citys origins to the end of the Roman Empire. Roman Florentia gradually emerges before our eyes in the texts of ancient and medieval authors and the archaeological evidence displayed in local museums or only recently unearthed. How did the urban space develop, and what patterns can we identify as we locate the main temples and sacred spaces, the public buildings and private residences? How did the presence of barbarian rulers impact the evolution of the ancient city and its territory? We also discuss the city in the context of more general topics in Roman civilization, including its art, architecture, infrastructure and lifestyle. Visits to Florences National Archeological Museum and little-known archaeological sites offer unique, firsthand access to the citys past.
An introduction to the graver technique of engraving metals, one of classic Florentine-style jewelrys most characteristic methodologies. Manual engraving can create refined, delicate effects and reflections on the metal that cant be achieved through industrial processes. We cover the fundamentals of the technique, from graver preparation and tool use to engraving designs on flat surfaces and various engraving techniques on jewelry pieces, such as different textures and typical Florentine decorative details on jewelry surfaces and edges. Students not only learn how this techniques has been used over the centuries, but acquire the ability to use it in their own original, innovative ways.
Food and Religion: Rituals, Traditions and Taboos Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Food is crucial to understanding sacred traditions, whether past or present. Why do people feast and fast for religious reasons? How pervasive are food taboos? Why have Muslims and Jews banned pork from their diet? Why do Christians eat fish on Fridays, while Hindus and Buddhists are largely vegetarian? Religions not only attribute values to nourishment, but use it to create symbolic codes of personal and group identity, mediate with the divine, and promote spiritual growth. With a thematic, comparative, and interdisciplinary approach, we use food to explore religious beliefs and practices from various cultures and time periods. Sources include case studies, guest lectures, anthropological studies, and ethical and sacred texts. During their stay, students have the chance to witness some of these food-centered religious practices and taboos firsthand.
Food in Italian Culture (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Students broaden their linguistic and cultural know-how through the study of Italian regional culinary specialties and these dishes historical, geographical and cultural contexts. How is food represented in Italian culture, and what value has it been attributed historically, particularly in literature and on film? Readings reveal the complex relationship between food, culture and society, while frequent oral and written reports stimulate knowledge and reflection while strengthening linguistic skills across the board. Classes combine theory and discussion with hands-on cooking activities, and we also explore culinary Florence and its surrounding territory.
Food Marketing & Communication Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An introduction to the fundamental operational and strategic dynamics that shape marketing and communications in the agri-food industry. We compare and contrast different gastronomic cultures and traditions, comparing and contrasting the food marketing strategies related to them. Students examine and analyze case studies and success stories, ranging from small-scale producers to multinational companies, investigating the importance of geographical and social context in communicating food from a variety of perspectives. They then implement the tools and methodologies weve covered, keeping in mind both client and consumer, to design and develop an integrated marketing and communication plan for an agri-food business.
An introduction to the full spectrum of writing about what we eat: reviews, articles, blogs, books, menus, social media, essays. How to craft vivid descriptions of taste and place. We explore culinary writing through different types of media, including text, photos, video and audio. Students experiment with and develop a set of observational skills that engage and exploit all five senses, as well as stylistic techniques for writing about food in an efficient, concise, and captivating way.
Highly-structured class sessions, complete with demonstrations and guided exercises, gradually familiarize students with the fundamental skills and techniques of this medium. We focus on developing observational skills, the perception and creation of form, tone and color on two-dimensional surfaces, color theory and mixing, linear perspective, and effective composition. Our main genre will be the still life, but the host city itself provides a range of exceptional works of art and architecture that we look to for inspiration and analyze as a way of enhancing our own knowledge and abilities. Prior studio training not required; non-majors are admitted.
Foundation Oil Painting (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Paint like an Old Master. Highly-structured class sessions, complete with demonstrations and guided exercises, gradually familiarize students with the fundamental skills and techniques of this medium. We focus on developing observational skills, the perception and creation of form, tone and color on two-dimensional surfaces, color theory and mixing, linear perspective, and effective composition. Our main genre will be the still life, but the host city itself provides a range of exceptional works of art and architecture that we look to for inspiration and analyze as a way of enhancing our own knowledge and abilities. Prior studio training not required; non-majors are admitted.
Managers are the decision-makers. But based on what do they make those decisions? Designed to provide core concepts and terminology for those with no prior background in business management and an interest in further studies in the field. We explore what managers do, and how planning, organizing, directing and controlling can, if done properly, work synergistically toward the same goals. Key concepts are approached first in theoretical terms; then we look at how theory applies to the practical problems managers face on a day-to-day basis.
Foundations of Visual Communication Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Learn the secrets and principles of creating good design, whatever your tools. We explore the skills and rules that underpin the creation of graphic work that convey both aesthetic quality and communicative power. Structured into a series of projects, lectures, analyses, and drawing exercises which, through the study and application of design theories, offer methods for finding solutions to graphic and visual projects. Topics include B/W techniques, layouts and grids, color and shape balance, mirror and rotational symmetries, patterns, archetypes and primary shapes, font and typography, the cultural backgrounds of visual language, stylistic analysis, formats and harmonic proportions, icons, logotypes and trademarks, 3D modelling and packaging. The great tradition of Italian design and Florentine examples of it are a constant point of reference.
Foundations of Visual Communication (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Learn the secrets and principles of creating good design, whatever your tools. We explore the skills and rules that underpin the creation of graphic work that convey both aesthetic quality and communicative power. Structured into a series of projects, lectures, analyses, and drawing exercises which, through the study and application of design theories, offer methods for finding solutions to graphic and visual projects. Topics include B/W techniques, layouts and grids, color and shape balance, mirror and rotational symmetries, patterns, archetypes and primary shapes, font and typography, the cultural backgrounds of visual language, stylistic analysis, formats and harmonic proportions, icons, logotypes and trademarks, 3D modelling and packaging. The great tradition of Italian design and Florentine examples of it are a constant point of reference.
An interdisciplinary course on the unusual in art, film, literature, circus and medical history centered on otherness as a cultural phenomenon. Focus on Italy with monstrous and hybrid beings in tales (Basile, Collodi, Dante), church art, garden sculpture, and cabinets of curiosities: dragons, sphinxes, basilisks, and goose trees. Life and death through wax anatomical models, reliquaries, and Sleeping Beauty" tales. The history of Italian court and freak show stars: Tocci brothers, Sicilian Fairy and others. Florence, seen, read, and experienced through its odd stories and corners. Excursions required. Suitable for non-literature majors.
Fresco Painting and Restoration I Hours: 90 Credits: 3
The correct restoration of frescoes and other types of wall painting requires an in-depth knowledge of how they were painted. We explore every phase of the art of traditional fresco painting: starting with an enlargement of an Old Master preparatory drawing (of the students choice), we learn to mix the appropriate plaster base and a correct use of pigments to paint on the still-wet intonaco. Students prepare the preliminary drawing for a fresco painting (sinopia), then complete their own small fresco that will be detached (strappo) and used in a conservation exercise. We also study and create a wall decoration in the graffito style, as seen on many Florentine buildings.
Fresco Painting and Restoration II Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Largely-onsite restoration of original frescoes under close instructor guidance. Intermediate-level students continue and/or complete the conservational tasks required at given points in a broader, ongoing project, which may include fresco cleaning, repairing cracks in its support, consolidating the original underlayer of intonaco, plastering areas where there is a loss of paint or cement, and retouching painted surfaces. Details vary according to the projects available during the semester, the conservation needs of the work of art, and the techniques necessary to carry out the restoration. Students develop their skills in documenting restoration work, which will be one of their primary responsibilities.
From History to the Kitchen: Flavors and Traditions Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Italy possesses a treasure trove of centuries-old culinary traditions. We work with original recipes published in major culinary treatises of the past, rediscovering ancient flavors (herbs, spices, sauces) and learning how to adapt old techniques to new circumstances and ingredients. Both a journey into the past and an immersion of the senses, students have the opportunity to gain a unique perspective on the flavors at the roots of modern Italian cuisine, and the tools for creating their own new recipes using the secrets of an ancient culinary culture.
Fundamentals of Art and Design: Color Theory Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Colors matter. We analyze them from a theoretical standpoint, exploring how to use both harmonies and contrasts effectively. Topics include color purity, light-dark (chiaroscuro) and hot-cold color contrasts, complementary colors, simultaneous contrast, quality and quantity contrast. What is the relationship between form and color? How does color influence space, composition, perception and chromatic balance (the illusion of color)? Students grasp the expressive force of color as an essential element of the creative process, develop their eye through experience and trial and error, and use various color theory criteria to understand the effects of choosing a certain color or color combination in practical exercises involving landscapes and the wonders of Florences artistic heritage.
Fundamentals of Food Design, Styling, and Photography Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Presentation, not just preparation, is key to a memorable culinary experience. We examine how food and beverages can be styled, capturing their essence in photography through accomplished technical and compositional control that also allow students to develop their creativity in a field with concrete practical applications. In the lab we process, develop, and print photographs, learning to use the Photoshop tools particularly useful in food photography. Focuses on lighting techniques, how to compose and create appealing settings, and the art of visual storytelling. Students also receive a firm grounding in the key theoretical elements of food design, involving visual and stylistic analysis. With guest lecturers (including a professional food stylist and a chef) and field trips to a selected restaurant and other culinary venues. Note: Each student must have a DSLR camera with manual setting and at least one lens.
How is furniture designed? What do you need to know, and know how to do, to make aesthetically pleasing and functional chairs, tables, beds, couches, and other types of furnishings? We examine the various design processes and procedures for the pieces themselves, materials and their characteristics, and the importance of the features and the limitations of the space into which the furniture will be inserted. Other topics include target audiences and the communicative and symbolic potential of furniture design. Classes are structured as design workshops, in which students have the opportunity to carry out personal research on specific pieces of furniture, materials, and designers to expand their knowledge and develop their own personal style. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended for design projects.
Furniture, Wood Objects, and Gilding Conservation Hours: 90 Credits: 3
An exploration of the conservation and restoration theory and methods for wooden and gilded objects (antique furniture, decorations, art and its frames), and practical experience implementing them in our Restoration Lab. Under close instructor guidance, students learn about the different qualities and types of wood, correct techniques and practices, safety procedures, and how to keep accurate lab records.
The practical essentials of gemology that every aspiring jeweler should know. What determines a gems quality, and what factors influence its value? We explore and implement a general analytical procedure that can then be applied to all gemstones. Topics of discussion include the ins and outs of diamond certification, pearl grading, and the identification process for colored stones. Students receive abundant firsthand experience observing actual gemstones and distinguishing between the authentic and the fake, using gemological instrumentation, analyzing different certificate types, and familiarizing themselves with the evolution of current prices.
General Chemistry I with Laboratory Hours: 45 Credits: 4
An introduction to the fundamental theories of inorganic chemistry. We cover topics including the structure of atoms, bonding, reactions in aqueous media, gas behavior, intermolecular forces, and the properties of solutions. Three hours of weekly lab sessions provide demonstrations of the material covered in lectures and familiarize students with laboratory techniques, data treatment, and writing up the results of scientific experiments. Taught in collaboration with the University of Florence. Note: Specific attendance and grading policies apply.
General Chemistry II with Laboratory Hours: 45 Credits: 4
An introduction to physical chemistry (thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, kinetics, electrochemistry, the solid state, and coordination chemistry. Three hours of weekly lab sessions provide demonstrations of the materials covered in lecture and familiarizes students with laboratory techniques, data treatment, and writing up the results of scientific experiments. Taught in collaboration with the University of Florence. Note: Specific attendance and grading policies apply.
What makes brands successful across cultures and borders, able to survive economic crises and prosper on a global level? We take an in-depth look at the ingredients for worldwide profitability and visibility, developing and applying research-based strategic planning to the management of new or existing global brands: analyses of consumer behavior, the impact of current consumer and global economic trends on new and existing brands, and image management and marketing in a multicultural context. The course project requires students to design and develop an integrated communications campaign to launch a brand, acquire customers, and develop long-term, profitable relationships in multiple global markets.
What challenges do modern corporations face in organizing international business operations? Our goal is to achieve a global perspective on long-term trends in world economic change, and understand how countries interact with one another. We explore the dynamics of international trade and investment, the relationship between trade and economic growth, and the risks of trade imbalances and protectionism. The role of economic and political institutions (WTO, IMF, etc.) and the characteristics of the most important emerging economies, India and China. Other topics include alternative perspectives on the origins and processes of globalization, competition, development, exchange rate theory, the international monetary system, ethics, decision-making, and strategic operations in an international environment.
A global look at the multiple merchandising practices of both retail and wholesale apparel companies. We explore the diversity of historical, organizational and cultural concepts in emerging countries in the Middle East and Asia, South America, and Mexico, where company managers and merchandisers source raw materials and view potential production sites. How do these different cultural, religious, legal and political landscapes compare with the American merchandising system?
Globalization and integration of international financial markets present unique opportunities and unique risks for investors, bankers, firms and policymakers. For students seeking advancements or employment in the banking industry or wishing to understand financing opportunities for entrepreneurial activities, this course is focused on the competitive dynamics and performance of the global financial markets. It addresses organizational strategy, capital market products, risk diversification and market developments, including the US, Europe and the emerging markets. Topics also include the structure and types of capital markets, and how to identify key participants and their impact on the market Throughout the course, current events are used to illustrate and reinforce class material.
Global IMC Campaign Development Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Using the skills developed in previous Global Integrated Marketing Communication courses, students develop a comprehensive, insight-driven, multimedia IMC campaign. Work includes the necessary primary and secondary research to determine and analyze ideal target audiences and collect key customer feedback; the creation of a big campaign idea and the development of an integrated multimedia strategy based on consumer behavior research; and bringing these together with a feasible, measurable media strategy and the creative elements required to make the campaign memorable and successful.
In an age in which our target market is often the world, what constitutes a winning media strategy? How can both traditional and new media be harnessed to develop captivating content through all stages of the customer relationship cycle? We examine how to develop, measure, and improve multi-channel communications strategies for acquiring new customers, retaining existing ones, encouraging repeat purchases, and building long-term, profitable relationships. Students gain familiarity with analyzing media usage habits, a key tool in discovering the best ways to reach and dialogue with new and existing customers.
Developing sales management skills is key to increased performance and profitability for any business. This course focuses on a study of all facets of sales management, from estimating sales potential and forecasting sales to interfacing with company functions in management of the supply chain. Students learn essential tools needed in manning territories and supervising sales team including training and motivating the sales force. Effective communication and understanding diverse channels of distribution are covered.
In an increasingly globalized economy, sports, teams, and individual players are marketed and sold around the world. How did the global sports economy arise? How are international sports brands created? We explore the different aspects of sports marketing, from sponsorships and event planning to understanding public relations and publicity, all within the complex framework of international sports and their global audiences. How does sports marketing deal with differences in marketing practices and cultures around the world? How does a global audience impact corporate sponsorships, and how do different communities react to local and global sporting events? Includes case studies of various global sporting events, which students use as a template to create their own strategic marketing plan for an international sporting event.
A theoretical and practical introduction to graphic design in the era of digital communication. We explore the practical applications of computer graphic techniques, uniting a constant search for harmony of shape, color, and words with cutting-edge tools. Projects make use of bidimensional vector graphics and consolidate the fundamental knowledge of how images can be created and modified digitally. We consider graphic design particularly vis-à-vis advertising and communications, exploring the principal media and investigating ways of working with different targets. Students also develop professional printing skills through experience at a commercial printing center. Requires familiarity with the computer environment.
Hands-on, professional experience in the field of Graphic Design. Students intern at an advertising or communications agency, or at the LdM Graphic Design Office. They perform tasks involving graphic design, packaging, corporate identity, logos, posters and flyers, catalogs, marketing materials, social media posting, layout of applications and e-commerce sites, web programming, and art direction. Interns are monitored by an onsite supervisor and a faculty member. Grades reflect the assessment of weekly reports, one paper and one special project, and an overall evaluation. An average of 10-12 hours weekly on site; schedules and duties may vary. Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs onsite, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments), and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: student's CV, two reference letters, a formal letter of intent, and a portfolio. Supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of the term. Public transport costs may apply.
Graphic Design Project Development Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Expand your graphic design portfolio through the development of creative, refined projects that express both aesthetic and functional quality. First we explore and discuss the most important areas of printed works of graphic design, such as corporate identity, typography, icons and logos, packaging, color palettes, photo and illustration management, fonts and creative book making. Another important theme is the Italian and Florentine methodological contribution to graphic design culture. We then concentrate on developing and executing individual projects that are presented in the context of an enriched professional portfolio. For students with significant graphic design experie
The stories of Greek and Roman gods and heroes play a fundamental role in the development of Western art and literature, especially after their revival during the Renaissance. They provide a key to understanding not only the ideals and aspirations of the Roman Empire, but modern literature and psychology as well. We examine the major deities of the Greek and Roman pantheon through history, literature and archaeology. How did Greek myths influence the Roman world? What can the Iliad, Odyssey, and Roman foundation myths and sagas tell us about the relationship between myth and history? We also discuss how these myths were represented visually on ancient monuments and everyday objects, and how their stories evolved after the classical period. Includes visits to museums, monuments and/or archaeological sites.
Knowing how painters have worked in various historical periods is key to a conservators ability to analyze the techniques and materials used to create a work of art (fresco, tempera, oil, etc.), and decide how best to maintain it in optimal conditions. We experiment with small panels and various samples to familiarize ourselves with the techniques, processes and materials used for the paintings in centuries past, using early Renaissance artist Cennino Cenninis The Craftsman's Handbook as a guide to understanding these traditional materials and procedures: egg-based tempera, the gesso primer for canvas and panels, gilding and other decorative arts, etc. Students meticulously prepare these samples, which go on to form a vital part of their conservators portfolio.
We use various historical painting techniques to make precise replicas from paintings chosen by students (preferably a work of art found in Florence). Work is evaluated on the basis of accuracy in technique, drawing, and color, demonstrating the development of manual dexterity, perceptiveness, and observational skills toward historical works of art. The finished replica represents an important asset in the students' portfolio for further conservation studies.
History of Architecture I: Antiquity to Early Renaissance Architecture Hours: 45 Credits: 3
What is the common thread that holds together the evolution of Western architecture from the Greek temple to the present? How has architecture evolved since the definition of classical canons to their reemergence in the Florentine Quattrocento? With firsthand onsite visits, we analyze the main historical periods and architectural movements from classical Greece and Rome to Paleochristian, Romanesque and Gothic architecture, up to the early Renaissance. We shed a light on architecture and city planning in their social, economic and cultural context, and examine their relation with the evolution of construction materials and techniques over the centuries. In the history of architecture everything is connected: the various epochs and styles are compared to the main architectures of the twentieth century, in order to find analogies, differences, and returns.
History of Architecture II: High Renaissance Architecture to the Present Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How did the Renaissance revolution change the way of thinking about architecture and the city? From the rediscovery of classical beauty, a brand new thought was born in the Western world: Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo are the masters of this new conception of architecture that from Florence spread across Italy and Europe, constructing the cities and masterpieces we know. The course begins from the High Renaissance and then explores Mannerism, the Baroque, neo-Gothic and industrial architecture, up to the great revolution of the International Style. We delve into the main protagonists of these centuries, examining their thoughts and projects in relation to the historical and social context, technological and construction innovations, with a particular focus on the relationship between space and natural light. Special attention is given to the International Style and its protagonists, investigating elements of innovation and continuity with the past.
From the ancient Egyptians to the 21st century, the evolution of Western styles of clothing and adornment. We investigate how clothing styles have been influenced by social and political developments, technology, and economic and manufacturing innovations and constraints. Students also investigate major historical figures who have had a great impact on costume development, and how various world religions have used clothing and guided the faithful in terms of the clothes and other forms of body coverings and ornamentation they might wear. Note: In collaboration with the Franco Zeffirelli Foundation.
History of Early India: India in the Global Classical World Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The aim of this course is to understand material processes and cultural form in and Indo-Mediterranean ancient world, from South Asia and ancient Iran, to Greece and Rome from about 500BC to 500 AD. In the early centuries BC, Greek kings (left over from Alexanders conquests) practiced Hinduism and Buddhism in northwestern India and Afghanistan. A few centuries later Iranian-speaking kings in India absorbed Sanskrit and Greek culture along with Roman styles of royal representation via extensive trade. Public inscriptions in various languages issued by rulers illuminate keenly the close formal bond in political representation across this vast, interconnected world. We explore the interrelationship of representation and realityculture, society, and political-economyin Old Persian Inscriptions, the emperor Augustuss Res Gestae, and countless coins and inscriptions in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Bactrian, and Greek. Through the periods literature and art we try to enter both the subjective and objective landscapes of this vast space in which east and west were both one and not exactly the same. Note: this is a writing intensive course.
An introduction to the major styles, concepts, and definitions of fashion and fashion design throughout Italian history, from its ancient origins to the contemporary period. We explore the evolution of Italian fashion in context, using historical documents and other materials to illustrate the most impactful eras, styles, and productive techniques. Students also take an in-depth look at the lives and careers of some of the most significant Italian designers, including Schiaparelli, Ferragamo, Fontana, Capucci, Valentino, Pucci, Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci, and Cavalli. With a special focus on the rise of Florence as a capital of Italian fashion in the 1950s.
History of Jewelry and their Symbolism Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How has jewelry evolved over human history, both aesthetically and symbolically? We explore the history of these objects from primitive shell beads to the Renaissance, Art Nouveau, and modern jewelry masters. What can jewelry tell us about changes in style, fashions and taste? The symbolism of jewelry both the pieces in and of themselves and their use in painting, architecture and decorative art. The power of jewelry, and a look at historys greatest designers, from Benvenuto Cellini to Tiffany. Students develop a knowledge of jewelry making techniques, expand their technical vocabulary, and familiarize themselves with research methodologies. Includes visits to museums, exhibitions and workshops in Florence.
Prostitution is, and always has been, a complex phenomenon. It lies at the intersection of gender roles, sexual practices, religious and moral views, social power, and legal boundaries. What role did prostitution play in changing ideas about women, sexuality and the body in the formative centuries of the Western tradition? Our focus is on the period from classical antiquity to the Protestant Reformation: with an interdisciplinary approach, we draw on sources from history, religion, mythology, philosophy, the visual arts, literature, and legal documents to explore what prostitution meant, why it has always both existed and been fiercely condemned, and why it continues to divide public opinion up to the present day.
What is art? Where do we see it and why do we look at it? How do we talk about, describe, or explain a work of art? Is it possible to read images the same way we can see stories, and if so, how? Our interdisciplinary approach aims to help students develop their ability to read, discuss, and write about both visual and written texts. This exploration of the relationship between us (spectators and/or creators), images and words opens up new ways of seeing and perceiving works of art. An introduction to the most relevant theoretical ideas is followed by a close examination of visual and written works, including prose and poetry. An active engagement with the entire universe of artistic experience through the teachings and methods of art theory and art history, literature, museology, and sociology.
InGrained in our History: the Bread Experience Hours: 45 Credits: 3
When did humans begin harvesting grain and baking bread? What was the religious, anthropological, economic, and nutritional significance of bread in ancient societies? We explore the multiple meanings of bread throughout history and civilizations while applying the techniques and methods used for baking and kneading (which students will experience firsthand). Then we explore the different types of grain production on the field, to better understand the industrial demand around this historical baked good. We will then take a sociological look at local Florentine grain products.
Installation Art and Assemblage Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Art installation and assemblage are among the most original and fertile forms of contemporary art. They involve designing works for spaces, not necessarily strictly artistic, in which the activation of the place of the artistic intervention is strongly linked to the rules of visual perception and the impact these have on the way human beings experience a place. The art of installation and assemblage extend the practice area from the studio to the outdoor space. This course enables students to study the basics of three-dimensional work, assemblage, installation and environmental art. It introduces the skills, processes, concepts, and visual language that will support them in future creative work. Students will work on a series of projects designed to raise critical awareness, interpretative skills and research methods to improve their practice. The coursework will investigate the objective and subjective qualities of space, material and form and the meanings created through their juxtaposition. Students will design and create indoor and outdoor installations and assemblage pieces that can incorporate sculptural elements, everyday objects, light, sound or other devices.
Integrated Marketing Communication Hours: 45 Credits: 3
New technologies have expanded the possibilities of human communication and interaction on a global scale. How can marketers take advantage of these new channels to capture customers attention more effectively? The importance of this question explains why marketing communication is one of the most exciting, fastest-growing fields in modern marketing. We explore the most relevant theoretical concepts and the practical techniques most applicable to todays major marketing communication functions: ads, direct marketing, sales promotion, public relations, personal selling, and the Internet. Student projects will assess a selected companys marketing approach and develop an effective strategy proposal.
An opportunity to engage in a team-based, collaborative approach to finding creative solutions in a wide variety of design disciplines. Formed by students representing different majors and diverse skillsets, teams elaborate collective responses to research development and problem-solving, while exploring the commonalities of the design process that transcend particular fields. Students are tasked with resolving current design needs and problem, integrating ideas to create innovative, effective solutions. Helps students gain familiarity with a variety of design perspectives in a global context, simulating the demands of todays multidisciplinary work environment.
The concepts and skills for creating efficient and aesthetically pleasing spaces for living and working. We explore the fundamental concepts of design, spatial planning, and furnishing, learning to analyze an existing space and investigate how it can be improved according to a range of criteria. From a simple kitchen or bathroom to an entire residential apartment: the problems and challenges faced by the interior designer, and the strategies and know-how for finding solutions. Topics include the visual representation of space and the correct use of scale, choosing materials and colors, and creativity within the designer-client relationship. Students begin exercises and projects in the classroom under instructor guidance, then complete them individually.
Redesign the interior of an existing site. We begin with a survey and technical drawings of a space, then develop an original design solution in its entirety, from marketing and target identification to resolving technical problems and the creation of a new layout. Students consider both functional and aesthetic aspects, and present their solutions in an attractive, effective manner. In class we discuss case studies of finished work, before turning our attention to fleshing out the main elements and features of our own projects. Students produce a general layout and inspiration board, plans, elevations, sections, perspective drawings, and sketches, along with any images, photos and other materials, which they present in class on the day of the exam.
A hands-on, professional experience in the Interior Design field. Interns work at a local Architect/Interior Design Studio. Their activities include designing interiors, working with architects on room layouts, and proposing color schemes, window treatments, hardware and lighting fixtures, paint, carpeting, furniture, and artwork. Monitoring is carried out by an onsite supervisor and a faculty member. Grades reflect assessment of weekly reports, one paper and one special projecttwo papers, and an overall evaluation. An average of 10-12 hours weekly at the internshipat internship site; schedules and onsite duties may vary. Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs onsite, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments), and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: student's CV, two reference letters, a formal letter of intent, a portfolio. Supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of the term. Public transport costs may apply.
We consolidate and expand the skills developed in the beginning-level course, taking on more challenging and intensive barre and center exercises, turnouts, jumps and point study, and adagio exercises. Historically and culturally speaking, our focus is on ballets Romantic period, and we familiarize ourselves with the eras most important figures in music and dance.
Intermediate Digital Photography Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Series of workshops for mastering professional photography techniques in both artistic and commercial fields. We explore the theory behind digital photography, shot optimization, and professional post-production, including RAW file to Photoshop processing, HDR and B&W workflows, managing noise, sharpness and white balance, and final image preparation for the web, publishing, or large-format printing. Includes field trips and studio sessions to aid in developing individual projects. In Florence the course is 70% digital, 30% film and darkroom (professional archiving, using large-format 4x5-view film camera, darkroom techniques). In Tuscania its 100% digital. Note: Each student must have a DSLR camera with manual setting and at least one lens.
Intermediate Digital Photography (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Series of workshops for mastering professional photography techniques in both artistic and commercial fields. We explore the theory behind digital photography, shot optimization, and professional post-production, including RAW file to Photoshop processing, HDR and B&W workflows, managing noise, sharpness and white balance, and final image preparation for the web, publishing, or large-format printing. Includes field trips and studio sessions to aid in developing individual projects. In Florence the course is 70% digital, 30% film and darkroom (professional archiving, using large-format 4x5-view film camera, darkroom techniques). In Tuscania its 100% digital. Note: Each student must have a DSLR camera with manual setting and at least one lens.
An opportunity for students to build on and refine their abilities to draw both objects and the human figure. We focus on the structure and anatomy of the human body, the relationship between individual elements in a composition, and the effective positioning of figures in space, allowing students to hone their perceptive abilities and more incisively transfer their ideas and observations to the page. Students also have the chance to explore and familiarize themselves with a variety of drawing techniques and media (charcoal, pencils, red chalk, ink). Naturally, Florences exceptional artistic heritage provides the backdrop to our artistic efforts, offering countless subjects and sources of inspiration.
An exploration of modern dance as an art form and a means of expression, consolidating and expanding students musical awareness and the techniques learned at the introductory level. We also reflect on how modern dance and music have developed historically, developing a broader dance vocabulary as well as more complex combinations. Focuses include a range of different modern and contemporary styles (Graham, Cunningham, Orton), which we approach through video, live performances by professional dancers, and student performances of more elaborate choreographies.
In this follow-up to the beginning-level course, we guide students toward a deeper knowledge of and confidence in oil painting theory and practice. Focuses include the human figure as well as object painting, and the exploration of various approaches to painting from life. Covers the most important oil painting techniques to provide students with a solid foundation for taking on more ambitious work: color mixing, command of brush strokes, glazing and scumbling, as well as traditional canvas preparation. The rich artistic heritage of Florence or Tuscania provides the backdrop to our artistic efforts, offering countless subjects and material to explore and analyze.
Exposes students to more sophisticated, critical approaches to their chosen area of focus in contemporary sculpture. Work centers on independent projects that develop observational skills and draw on personal interests. Important topics include working in clay, wire and plaster, and casting from plaster and flexible molds in gesso, wax and paper. Structured exercises are designed to consolidate both technical and interpretive skills. Designed for students who already possess the foundations of figurative sculpture, or who have worked with other approaches and wish to improve technical skills through class exercises.
An introduction to the art market and the institutional networks that support and promote art-based transactions. We explore the buying and selling of works of art, both within the auction framework and elsewhere. Lectures and interactions with sector specialists help students develop their ability to identify and analyze pieces of art, access marketing opportunities, and devise effective strategies for a variety of professional roles. We specifically investigate the role of the art dealer and art administrator, as well as gain a firm understanding of the international laws and other recognized practices that regulate the field.
International Business Negotiation Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The demand for competent, professional negotiators has never been higher. In recent decades, the rise of new commercial powers and the emergence of the Internet have drastically reshaped the global economy, making the world more interconnected and businesses more innovative and competitive. We explore and develop the skills needed to communicate and negotiate effectively in the context of international business transactions. Topics include coping with cultural differences and dealing with the challenges of todays local and global markets. Specific case studies and practical simulations are analyzed and discussed to provide concrete examples of the concepts and theories presented.
International Conflict Resolution Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How are violent international conflicts guided and transformed toward peace? What are the major concepts and theories that govern intervention in such situations, and how do they play out on the ground? The importance of international conflict resolution in recent years has made it the subject of intense debate, and we examine the new roles and tasks that have emerged for international organizations such as the UN and OSCE, as well as the increasing importance of second-track citizens diplomacy and third-party non-violent intervention. In the case of Italy, we explore the importance of Catholicism and a long tradition of local self-government in shaping peace organizations and mobilizing city and regional governments and NGOs to contribute to international peace and development initiatives.
Healthy international relations hinge on the reciprocal respect of rules, the sum of which constitute what is known as international law. Yet nations are also independent entities, exceedingly prone to acting in their own self-interest. How can international law function effectively when states so often choose to ignore or flagrantly violate its dictates? We explore this group of mutually-agreed-upon rules, the matters they regulate, and their influence on how states conduct both domestic and foreign policy. Topics include the jurisdiction of international law, international organizations (with a focus on the UN), treaties, liability, and crime (such as international terrorism).
In a globalized world of cutthroat competition, effective international marketing is critical to a companys success. The benefits of operating in an international market include access to new sourcing materials, capital, labor, and expertise, the relocation of manufacturing, and the distribution of products and services to new markets. Yet the risks, particularly in the short term, are significant, and benefits may not be immediate. We apply the principles of marketing to the complexities of foreign markets, emphasizing the various economic, social, and cultural factors that determine successful international marketing strategies, and how the 4 P's (product, price, places of distribution, and promotion) can change in a global business environment.
The fundamental concepts of international politics, and the most important events in the world of international relations from the Peace of Westphalia (1648) to the present. Why should we care about what goes on at the United Nations? Why is it important that even small nations have a forum in which to make their voices heard? We outline the main differences between the traditional nation-state system and the present global order, highlighting the growing importance of international organizations and their role in promoting peace, democracy, and human rights. What is the role of international law and diplomacy? How has globalization affected processes of regional integration and international economic organizations? How are international relationships affected by questions such as war, terrorism, and migration?
Develops the mental and physical skills for expressing your individual creative potential through theater. What does it actually mean to get in character? Which techniques allow you to perform on stage effectively in front of a live audience? Exercises (observation, muscular relaxation, creating the body-imagination bridge, sensory activation) and script analysis (What do specific actions mean? What is a scripts overall objective?) lead up to a public performance in which students perform a play of their choosing, either an adaptation of a published contemporary play or an original piece developed as a series of improvisations from a novel or short story under the instructor/directors guidance.
Ballet from the ground up: correct posture and body control, basic feet and arm positioning, and preparation with both floor exercises and the barre. Exercises aim to mold the dancers body into a beautiful, graceful form, transforming it into a tool for giving voice to creative expression.
Introduction to Communications Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The essential concepts and fundamental theories that describe the processes, functions, types, and effects of communication. We get to know the basics communicative categories (interpersonal, group, organizational, mediated, cultural) and explore how specific contexts affect its forms. What ethical issues are at stake in the world of communications, and what global opportunities and challenges does it offer? How are new technologies affecting the way we think about communications, and the types of professional opportunities available? Develops critical thinking and writing skills, as well as confidence and effectiveness in group work and presentations.
Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication: Bridging the Borders of Difference Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Even a common language is no guarantee that people are able to effectively express themselves in ways that are fully understood. In a relentlessly globalizing world, understanding how to appreciate and anticipate social and cultural differences has never been more important for interpersonal communication. This course explores and explains how those differences can be overcome, especially the cultural obstacles that so often create miscommunication and mistrust; everything from the influence of culture on personal identity, differing conceptions and norms of personal space, rituals, speech patterns, myths, ideologies, and the mass medias influence on cross-cultural representations of reality.
Introduction to Digital Photography Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Get to know the functions and potential of a digital camera. We explore the history and aesthetics of photography to help students express themselves photographically in a more conscious, creative manner. Topics include focal length, aperture, shutter speed, composition, and light quality, along with techniques specific to digital capture and the manipulation of images. Familiarization with Photoshop software for processing and printing photographic images. Specific assignments are designed to consolidate knowledge of specific digital techniques, giving students increased technical control of the medium and helping them develop a more critical eye. In Florence, the course is 80% digital, 20% film and darkroom with some basic black and white developing and printing techniques. In Tuscania, its 100% digital. Note: Each student must have a DSLR camera with manual setting and at least one lens.
Introduction to Digital Photography (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
Get to know the functions and potential of a digital camera. We explore the history and aesthetics of photography to help students express themselves photographically in a more conscious, creative manner. Topics include focal length, aperture, shutter speed, composition, and light quality, along with techniques specific to digital capture and the manipulation of images. Familiarization with Photoshop software for processing and printing photographic images. Specific assignments are designed to consolidate knowledge of specific digital techniques, giving students increased technical control of the medium and helping them develop a more critical eye. In Florence, the course is 80% digital, 20% film and darkroom with some basic black and white developing and printing techniques. In Tuscania, its 100% digital. Note: Each student must have a DSLR camera with manual setting and at least one lens.
Introduction to Environmental Issues Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Perhaps never before has the environment been such a central theme in our lives. Yet it is also a potentially limitless field in which it is easy to get lost or sidetracked. We explore the major concepts and questions to provide a foundation for understanding the critical environmental issues of today and tomorrow: climate change, population growth, natural resource management, pollution, global changes in biodiversity and wildlife, habitat loss, land and coastal erosion, food production, water resources, and changing consumption and living habits. A reflection on global environmental issues within an earth systems framework that places the various pieces of the puzzle in dialogue with one another.
Ethics are the moral principles on the basis of which we decide how to act in a given situation. But on what theories or beliefs are our ethics founded? How have ideas about ethics changed over time? Key topics include the role of reason and emotion, gender, local vs. universal ethics, ethics and human rights, individual vs. community well-being, fundamental rights and duties, virtue and character, and the limits of rationality. We also examine specific case studies consider pressing questions of international scope, such as responsibilities towards foreigners/immigrants, climate change, and foreign military intervention. Students focus on either a particular ethical or meta-ethical question (Should we preserve the wilderness? Are ethics grounded in emotions?) or other approved topic, conduct research, then present their findings in an oral presentation and research paper.
An exploration of the foundational techniques of modern dance. Exercises focus on proper alignment, graceful movement through space, and body control, developing students physique as well as their ability to execute a wide range of technical gestures.
Introduction to Music Production Hours: 90 Credits: 3
A comprehensive look at the theoretical and practical sides of music production. We will explore the acoustic principles of music, the techniques for recording sound from the principal sources and instruments in pop music, and the capabilities of Ableton Live, a state-of-the-art music production software, for shaping original musical ideas. The course includes a final project in which students conduct research on different sound sources, recording techniques and musical styles (Pop, EDM, Beats etc.), transforming ideas and findings into original pieces of music. A significant part of the course is dedicated to lab work, where the theoretical concepts from lectures are applied to individual skills and interests in music production.
This course provides a study of the organization and function of the human nervous system and brain. Students will gain an understanding of the physiological properties of neurons, examine the structure and the function of the systems brain that serves the senses and commands voluntary movements. Particular emphasis will be given to the neurology of human behavior including motivation, sex, emotion, sleep, language, attention and mental illness. Students will also explore how the environment modifies the brain.
Explores the major areas of psychology and the scientific and non-scientific approaches to investigating psychological phenomena. We take a critical look at the most up-to-date research and theoretical debate, discussing topics such as anthropological assumptions and implications, deontology, sensation and perception, cognitive processes, consciousness, language, learning, personality, development, and psychopathology. For each, we examine the principal theories from diverse perspectives (e.g., biological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychodynamic). We also familiarize ourselves with different types of scientific research (e.g., experiments, correlational research, review, meta-analysis) and the typical structure of a research paper (introduction, method, results, discussion, limitations, and implications).
The fundamental concepts and methods that you need to know for producing and analyzing statistics. Topics include how to describe sample data, experimental design, sampling distributions of means and proportions (one, two, and paired designs), normal and Student's t-distribution, parametric and non-parametric methods of estimation and hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression.
Introduction to the Fashion Industry Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An overview of the history and current functioning of the fashion industry, both globally and in Italy specifically. From research and design to the marketing of finished products, we explore the entire process of apparel production, from initial idea to end user. Specific topics include case studies of the global textile industry and the leather market, as well as the history of the Made in Italy phenomenon. Students familiarize themselves with basic industry vocabulary and the various professional positions that guide the evolution of fashion as we know it.
Sculpt like youve never sculpted before! We explore the materials, manual and technical skills, and associated procedures used to create sculptures in a variety of media. How to construct figurative forms in three dimensions, and the differences and pros and cons between additive and subtractive sculpture. Students familiarize themselves with clay, plaster, wax, wood and metal, gaining firsthand experience in a series of projects organized around the challenges and satisfactions of sculpture in the round, reliefs, and molds. We also focus on developing our capabilities of constructive self- and peer criticism, laying the foundations for the ability to discuss both our own works and those of others with appropriate terminology and argumentation.
Italian Cinema and Literature: Connecting Art Forms Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Italian cinema has left a significant contribution through its innovative works that have remained culturally relevant and continue to influence the art form to this day. In the emergence of filmmaking, the works of classic Italian literature greatly impacted the themes and stylistic choices of some of the greatest film directors in Italian cinema. This course offers an in-depth study on the constant relationship between traditional literature and the renowned films which are regarded to be modern classics and on the contribution that one art brings to another. The coursework uses a comparative approach to the literary and cinematic narratives, blending the study of academic film theory and literary discourse with weekly film screenings to further one's knowledge of the artistic, political, and sociological aspects of Italian culture. Selected cinema works observed include: Federico Fellini, Paolo Sorrentino, and Lina Wertmuller.
Italian Civilization and Culture (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How have individual and collective identities been shaped and portrayed in Italy from the Middle Ages to the present? We explore this vast question through the lens of history, language, politics, literature and film. In addition to studying the artifacts of cultural production, students investigate the importance and influence of major events, movements and figures in Italian history. Our approach will be thematic, though within a broadly chronological framework that attempts to underline both continuity and change in how people have lived and thought of themselves in Italy over the centuries.
Contemporary Italy is mysterious. In the mid-twentieth century, Italian writers such as Gadda and Sciascia began integrating features of the crime genre into their novels and short stories to such an extent that the mystery novel became a powerful tool for narrating the Italian experience. By the 1990's, a new generation of writers, including Camilleri, Ammaniti, and Lucarelli, had created the "Italian noir" genre, which aimed to reveal disconcerting truths in a fictional, entertaining framework. We examine some of its most representative works for what they tell us about Italian culture and society. The use of geography, history, politics and language; varying portrayals of criminality and the relationship between citizens and the law; and a comparison of these Italian crime writers and their foreign colleagues.
Italian for Conversation (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We build fluency through a variety of techniques (i.e., dramatization, interviews, dialogues, role play) and develop strategies for effective listening, a key ability in taking a more active part in conversations. Listening to informal dialogues, formal presentations and group conversations, watching Italian movies and TV programs, and interacting with native speakers help students strengthen their listening and speaking skills while getting to know Italian society and culture. Encourages students to reflect on their study skills and work on language-based learning strategies. Includes projects and research on Florentine subjects.
Italian Grand Tour: Italy through the Eyes of Famous Travellers Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Was the Grand Tour mere tourism for Europes elite, or did it have a deeper significance? What can it tell us about the Italy of the time, and about the tourists themselves? We explore the memoirs, letters, and diaries of some of the most famous artists, writers, and intellectuals who traveled through and lived in Italy between the 18th and 20th centuries, shedding light on the history, works of art, monuments, and local folkloristic events of the main Grand Tour destinations: Venice, Florence, and Rome. We also discuss the contrasts and contradictions between the often-idealized descriptions and landscapes, and the negative views expressed with regard to the Italian people, then compare these with 21st-century foreigners ideas of Italy.
Italian Identity Across Food and Culture Hours: 45 Credits: 3
You may be what you eat, but why do you eat the way you do? Why do people make different food choices in their daily lives? What makes certain social classes avoid or value certain types of foods? Food is an important factor in how we define ourselves: peoples attitude toward it can reveal not just personal characteristics, but a broader food ideology. We explore the relationships between foods multiple meanings and the physical acts of cooking and eating, and how food influences personal and group identity. The role of food in constructing ethnic identity, displaying religious beliefs and negotiating gender roles, and foods ability to transmit and preserve cultures and values.
Italian Renaissance Civilization and Culture Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Man is the measure of all things. In this credo lay the core of the humanist thinking of the Renaissance, an age that exalted human capabilities and produced stunning achievements. We explore the artistic, literary, and political accomplishments of one of the most remarkable and vibrant periods in Italian history. What was the role of the Classical past for Renaissance thinkers and creators? How did the various Italian courts promote this unique culture and worldview? We focus on prominent figures who marked this era in a variety of fields: the prominent Medici, Sforza, and Della Rovere families, artists and architects like Brunelleschi, Alberti, Leonardo and Michelangelo, writers, poets, and philosophers such as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Pico della Mirandola, and Machiavelli, and merchants, bankers, and courtiers.
How Italian society has changed from the end of World War II to the present, with a focus on the last thirty years. We explore the opportunities and challenges that have characterized Italian life during the economic and cultural revival that followed post-war reconstruction. Topics include everyday life, demographics and lifespan, health, gender issues, family, education, religion, politics, legality, business and labor, culture, consumption and leisure, identities and self-perception, urban and rural life, Italian regions and the southern question, emigration and immigration, and cultural and religious diversity and integration (European, Mediterranean, global). Crucial knowledge for understanding the present and future of this complex, fascinating country.
Italian through Children's Literature (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A journey into Italys most important childrens books, a genre that only established itself firmly at the beginning of the 19th century, before which children tended to read foreign books in translation. Following an introduction to childrens literature in general, we analyze the most popular Italian childrens books, reading works by Collodi, De Amicis, Vamba, Salgari, Gianni Rodari and Italo Calvino. Students familiarize themselves with the predominant structures and themes of childrens books in different time periods, develop their literary and pedagogical vocabulary, and gain a better grasp of childrens literature as a genre.
Italian through Cooking (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Expand your knowledge of Italian language and culture through the study of regional foods. We explore a variety of recipes in the context of local history, geography, lifestyle and culture. Each class combines a grammar topic with a brief hands-on cooking session focusing on a popular Italian regional dish. Frequent oral and written reports stimulate students to develop the four main linguistic skills in the context of the culinary and cultural topics discussed in class.
Italian Women's Literature (in Italian only) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The representation of women from the Middle Ages to the present, in contemporary writings and films by Italian female authors and directors. Topics include the relationship between women and their cultural and social backgrounds, women's historical, cultural, and artistic contributions to Italian and world history, and continuity and ruptures with the dominant male tradition. Students use group discussion and written assignments to develop the vocabulary and critical thinking skills to analyze the meanings and value of the female experience as portrayed by some of Italian cultures most preeminent voices.
Italy Through a Photographic Perspective Hours: 60 Credits: 3
By studying the medium of photography, both from a theoretical and from a practical/technical point of view, this course traces the history of Italy and the iconic images that have been created to represent significant national events, cultural movements, and political eras, enabling the students to observe the country's present as a witness as well. Coursework involves the research and study of particular photographs both from an aesthetic point of view as well as its relation to a specific historical period. Through guided field trips, students will visit important venues and exhibitions of interest, in addition to important cultural sites in the city of Florence. By learning to deconstruct images and relating the information in a larger context, students will develop their ability to analyze imagery and apply photographic language to further understand the evolution of Italian society. In addition to the theoretical phase, the course will have an important practical part, during which students will learn how the camera works (exposure, depth of field, composition, editing basics). The technical side will be particularly instrumental in the realization of a series of projects. Through a series of assignments (weekly visual journals, Midterm, and Final project), linked to the topics, the students will in fact learn to read and document traces of the past in the present and understand causal links often taken for granted.
Italy's Contribution to Modern Science Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An introduction to the foundational principles and theories and major historic developments in a variety of scientific disciplines, with a focus on the most important contributions of Italian intellectuals and scientists. We cover a chronological period stretching from the early modern era to the present, examining how monumental figures such as Fibonacci, Galileo, Malpighi, Fermi, and others have contributed to advances in scientific thought and knowledge in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and astronomy. How have they been influenced by historical events and pre-existing belief systems? We focus particularly on these scientists contribution to developing purely scientific methodologies, as well as the ethical framework related to scientific research and experimentation.
How to build individual business and design strategies for an existing or future jewelry brand. What factors affect the jewelry market? How can trends be interpreted in order to commercialize a particular type of jewelry at the optimal time? Students conduct thorough research and analysis of their target jewelry market, including potential competitors and their products. They create a potential scenario for developing their own brand: from selecting pieces to designing visual and graphic references. Research and analysis come together to form students brand book, the sort of presentation professional jewelry designers take to prospective clients. Note: Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop is recommended.
Techniques and approaches for creating original jewelry, with sketching and a variety of other manual techniques. Drawing techniques include orthographic projections and 3-D sketches, followed by rendering techniques using watercolors, gouache, markers, and pastels. We explore and analyze published examples by renowned designers, as well as jewels from selected museums and exhibitions, to see how the various approaches play out in the real world and get to know the process by which new jewelry begins to take form.
Builds on a basic knowledge of manual jewelry design to cover additional technical and practical skills, further developing individual style by means of computer-aided design. Sketching, geometric 3-D drawings, and axonometric representations. Students learn to use the Rhino 3-D modeling program to create virtual models of original jewels, which they can then learn to produce in a variety of materials.
The world of contemporary jewelry design through a lecture-based and hands-on, practical approach. We explore when, where and how contemporary jewelry developed, and familiarize ourselves with the most important designers and makers. Analysis of the theoretical and conceptual universe of major jewelry artists lays the foundation for practical drawing exercises, allowing students to develop their own concepts into workable designs, with the aid of their knowledge from previous Jewelry Design courses. Includes visits to exhibitions and the studios of practicing artists.
An introduction to crafting jewelry creatively and safely. We familiarize ourselves with the main equipment and tools (machinery, pliers, files, and saw), as well as important safety regulations. Students experience working at a genuine goldsmith's bench, learning the fundamental techniques of jewelry making such as design transfer, sawing, filing, soldering, hammering and bending. The pieces created during the semester include a pendant, a ring with a cabochon, and earrings. We also explore the process of lost-wax casting and various wax carving methods, helping to further develop manual and creative capabilities.
Jewelry Making I (Short Term) Hours: 60 Credits: 3
An introduction to crafting jewelry creatively and safely. We familiarize ourselves with the main equipment and tools (machinery, pliers, files, and saw), as well as important safety regulations. Students experience working at a genuine goldsmith's bench, learning the fundamental techniques of jewelry making such as design transfer, sawing, filing, soldering, hammering and bending. The pieces created during the semester include a pendant, a ring with a cabochon, and earrings. We also explore the process of lost-wax casting and various wax carving methods, helping to further develop manual and creative capabilities.
Builds on a basic knowledge of jewelry making to expand students creative and manual skills at the goldsmiths bench. Practical exercises help gain experience in various techniques of jewelry manufacturing, different approaches to setting stones, brooch mechanisms, and a variety of surface treatments for metals. We also cover more advanced soldering and metal manipulation techniques.
An advanced look at jewelry making for students who already have strong foundations in the craft. With practical exercises, we explore refined mechanisms for creating moving connections, links, closures, and clasps. Students have the opportunity to explore, refining their own creative style while studying solutions for combining their artistic vision with functionality in the shape of wearable jewelry.
A high-level jewelry making course for students who already possess advanced knowledge and skills in the field. We provide an opportunity to reinforce and further extend technical capabilities, through exercises focusing on complex structures and assembly methods. Also includes individual projects in which students can apply and refine their own creative styles, starting from concept, design, and the choice of the techniques and materials that best fit the style, and leading up to the final execution of the piece.
An exploration of the knitwear sector and its entire production process, from yarn characteristics and structures to knitting techniques and finished hand-knitted garments. Students master basic knit stitches and construction techniques, and have the opportunity to design and create individual designs, from initial yarn selection to the finished handmade product. Includes significant drawing and experimental components, as well as machine-knitting demonstrations. Students coursework, the result of their individual journey and research process, becomes part of their personal knitwear portfolio.
LAB Session for General Chemistry I Hours: 33 Credits: 0
Mandatory laboratory portion for CHM 135. The three-hour weekly laboratory session demonstrates the lecture material and emphasizes laboratory technique, data treatment, and report writing.
LAB Session for General Chemistry II Hours: 33 Credits: 0
Mandatory laboratory portion for CHM 136. The three-hour weekly laboratory session demonstrates the lecture material and emphasizes laboratory technique, data treatment, and report writing.
LAB Session for Organic Chemistry I Hours: 33 Credits: 0
Mandatory laboratory portion for CHM 221. The three-hour weekly laboratory sessions is hands-on experience that consolidates and expands upon the theories and concepts learned, with training in relevant techniques, such as purification, synthesis, and analytical methods.
LAB Session for Organic Chemistry II Hours: 33 Credits: 0
Mandatory laboratory portion for CHM 222. The three-hour weekly laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience that consolidate and expand upon the theory and concepts learned, with training in various techniques for separation, synthesis, and analysis.
Lifestyle in Renaissance Florence Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The social, economic, political, and religious life of Renaissance Florence, and its close ties to the fortune and fortunes of a group of elite families: the Medici, Rucellai, Strozzi and others. To get an idea of what life was like, at least for some, in the Renaissance, we examine their art (architecture, painting and sculpture) and artistic objects such as wedding chests and other furniture, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, and coats of arms. What can visual and material culture tell us about life, and at the same time, what are its limits? Through the lens of art and patronage, we shed light on the public and private lives of the elite families and other social groups in Renaissance Florence, in order to discover the unique features that not only distinguished the Florence of the past, but in many ways still do.
Illumination is essential to the way we experience and appreciate interiors. We explore the world of lighting design practices, equipment and solutions, covering a vast range of topics including hardware (the many styles of lamps currently on the market), the various light sources, the goals of lighting, visual comfort and pleasantness, color rendering, decoration, architectural and mood lighting, lighting control, and the various fields of application (homes, offices, shops and exhibition spaces). Students also familiarize themselves with case studies for specific lighting solutions, and have the chance to design their own illumination systems for a variety of simulated spaces. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended.
Literatures of Ancient India: Epic Traditions from Italy to India Hours: 45 Credits: 3
This course reads the ancient classical worlds literaturesfrom ancient India to ancient Romein dialogue, since these civilizations shared major heritage and defined themselves in dialogue. We start by tracing the development of poetry in ancient India by focusing on the epics Ramaya?a and Mahabharata alongside the cognate Homeric poems, Iliad and Odyssey, all of which were first transmitted orally. Classical Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin all later invented ornate and grandiose, written neo-epic traditions. In Sanskrit these are called mega poems (mahakavya,) Virgils Aeneid presents the exact corollary in Latin literature of an epic tradition being reinvented in a formally fancier way. Asvagho?as mega poem on the life of the Buddhathe Buddhacaritawas composed in northwestern India at a time when Greek kings who practiced Hinduism and Buddhism (left over from Alexanders conquests) had made their culture familiar. Extensive trade with Rome also made it part of the mosaic too. By reading Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin poetry side by side this semester we enter a global empire of epic poetry at least as differentiated as it was unified. Note: this is a writing intensive course.
Logical, Critical, and Creative: The Power of Reason Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Logic is essential in academics, and vital in daily life. How do you devise arguments to convince others? What skills can help you assess those made by others, including the increasingly intrusive advertising characteristic of the digital age? We analyze sources in a wide variety of media while exploring the tools for logical thinking and sound reasoning, learning to construct well-reasoned arguments on a variety of topics, such as immigration, art, animal rights and robotics. Covers both traditional logic and modern logical concepts and techniques: structuring arguments, how to distinguish between arguments/non-arguments and deductive/inductive arguments, and how to evaluate them in terms of validity, strength, soundness, and cogency. Other topics include formal logic, categorical propositions, syllogisms, propositional and predicate logic, and how to use truth tables.
Love and Natural Selection: Science and Myth Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Darwins On the Origin of Species triggered a profound intellectual revolution in both the natural and social sciences. The scientists theory of natural selection had a deep impact on countless issues related to our understanding of religion, gender, race, and human behavior. But how well do we really know Darwins work and the conclusions that have been drawn from it? We examine the essential principles of Darwin's theory, then dive into the theoretical bases of modern evolutionary biology and some of the most popular (and controversial) theories of evolutionary psychology, concerning human reproduction, gender, love relationships, and beauty. How have post-Darwinian evolutionary ideas and eugenics in particular developed, and what do they tell us about the flaws in popular scientific thinking and the potential limits of the scientific method and its culture?
Luxury brand management is both a concept and a global reality, representing a multi-billion-dollar market of goods and services. How has it developed over time? What are its political, economic and social aspects, and how does it relate to design, pop culture and the arts? Through a range of case studies and products in the fashion sector and beyond, we explore the challenges of building, protecting and strengthening a luxury brand, as well as its economic management and distribution. We also trace the evolution of luxury brand identities in terms of key concepts such as desire, status, exclusivity, supply and demand, consumption, and value, to understand how luxury brands resist global economic recession.
Made in Italy: A Culture of Excellence Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Made in Italy symbolizes superlative quality. Home to iconic labels, brands, and craftsmanship, Italy is known for both its historical legacy and present-day excellence in a variety of fields. Through the fields of cuisine, fashion, industrial and architectural design, and more, we explore how expertise has been maintained and innovation promoted. Then we connect the distinctly Italian creative process with patterns of continuity and change in Italian society, to understand how the "Made in Italy" phenomenon has impacted the country, particularly since World War II, and the effects of globalization. How is the Made in Italy label used for branding and marketing, both in Italy and abroad? Focuses may vary in order to highlight recent developments. Includes guest lectures and site visits.
Magic, Divination, and Ghosts in the Ancient World Hours: 45 Credits: 3
In ancient cultures, the supernatural was everywhere. How did people make contact with and represent spirits, specters, the afterlife and the netherworld, and how did these practices evolve across time and space? Our focus will be on the various aspects of magic and sorcery, including shamanism, divination, necromancy (evoking the dead), and curses (namely binding and love curses). We also examine the subject of the restless dead (i.e. ghosts), a privileged medium that ancient people believed allowed them to communicate with the world beyond the grave. Sources include reproductions of ancient magical papyri and cursed tablets. Comparisons of ancient beliefs and practices with those of more modern cultures and folklore.
The conception, development, research, and execution of an individual or group project with instructor guidance and supervision. Completed works will be exhibited as part of the end-of-year art show. Emphasizes independent learning and developing the skills and mentality associated with it, including the capacity to reflect critically on our own artistic production. Course is roughly divided into 2 parts: research and experimentation, followed by production and exhibition.
A practical, professional experience at an event management company. Interns participate in activities including managing actual events, assisting vendors with site visits and clients, social media marketing campaigns, designing marketing materials, analyzing brand image, market appeal and customer projections, and clerical and administrative work as required. Monitoring is carried out by an onsite supervisor and a faculty member. Grades, assigned by the faculty supervisor, reflect weekly reports, one paper and one special project, and an overall evaluation. An average of 10-12 hours weekly at the internship site; schedules and onsite duties may vary. Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs on-site, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments). Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: CV, two letters of reference, a formal letter of intent, and a writing sample. Supporting documentation must be submitted by application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of term. Public transport costs may apply.
Media Ethics in the Techno Age Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Medias rapid evolution has not only revolutionized the way we receive information, it has also changed the century-old rules and norms that govern the content it carries. Is there anything that cannot be said or done? Are there ethical rules for journalists or media companies? And if so, who makes them? As technology literally explodes with innovations in Social Media and Artificial Intelligence, is a universal understanding of Medias ethical responsibility even possible? This course explores how communications professionals decide what to say and what to censure, and the ethical challenges of digital convergence on the new frontier of mass communication.
Media's Evolving Role in Modern Society Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Media was born of the most basic human need, to communicate. No matter how much technology changes, or how it works and looks, the ability to connect people, information and ideas remains the only enduring reason for its existence. This course explains how New and Legacy Medias many parts: Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations, Sports, entertainment and informational content all interact with each other, and the culture and society in which they exist. Students will also learn about the financial, political and economic realities to which all commercial media are subject, and how they influence and define the global society.
Medieval Civilization and Culture Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Between Constantines Edict of Milan in 313 and the rise of humanist culture during the 14th century, Western civilization was profoundly transformed. No stagnant, dark age, this period witnessed dynamic, drastic shifts in both values and borders. In political theory and the visual arts, for example, the classical heritage survived and evolved, reinterpreted alongside new and innovative visions. We explore continuity and change in politics, society, economics, and culture through the most important historical, literary, archaeological and artistic sources. Topics include the late Roman Empire and the barbarian invasions, monasticism and medieval Christianity, the crusades, the rise of the Italian city-states, the Black Death, the roots of the Renaissance and the evolution of the arts. Includes site visits in and around Florence or Tuscania, depending on course location.
Merchandise Planning and Control Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A general overview of the mathematical concepts and calculations you need to know to engage in profitable merchandising. Students are exposed to real-life retailing scenarios, in which they apply the methods and formulas they learn in situations such as an open-to-buy, a mark-up, and a stock turnover.
An introduction to the characteristics of the major metals used in modern jewelry, whether precious (silver, gold, platinum), non-precious (including copper, brass, iron, aluminum), or metal alloys. We explore metals chemical and physical properties such as melting point and malleability, how fusions and alloys are made, and familiarize ourselves firsthand with these notions and processes by handling metals at the goldsmiths bench. Where metals come from, how they are treated and fashioned, and the principal ways in which they are used in contemporary jewelry. Note: Only open to students in the Jewelry Design Professional Certificate program.
Mindfulness: A Buddhist Path to Emotional Balance Hours: 45 Credits: 3
This mindfulness course offers students an introduction to Buddhism (history, philosophy, and practice) and mindfulness with an emphasis on emotional regulation. We will explore some of the core teachings found in ancient Buddhist texts and in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction). Students will have the opportunity to bring together elements of both Buddhist and Western Psychology to cultivate greater wellbeing and happiness. Students will learn mindfulness skills to identify triggers, reduce emotional reactivity, cultivate kindness, and overcome intense emotions. The benefits of these practices will be felt from the very first steps we take on the path In fact, in the traditional Buddhist scriptures, it is said that the path of mindfulness is "good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end". (Kamala Sutta)
Mindfulness: A Path to Emotional Balance Hours: 45 Credits: 3
This mindfulness-based course integrates emotional regulation skills with practices (such as meditations on compassion and forgiveness) with core teachings found in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) programs. Students will bring together some of the central themes of contemporary psychology with the wisdom of ancient eastern traditions to support the transformation of the mind and heart. The aim of this combination is to promote greater well-being and overall happiness. Students will learn mindfulness skills to identify triggers, reduce emotional reactivity, cultivate kindness, and overcome intense emotions. The benefits of these practices will be felt from the very first steps we take on the path. In fact, in the traditional Buddhist scriptures, it is said that the path of mindfulness is good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end (Kamala Sutta).
A hands-on, professional experience in cultural mediation and museum education. Interns observe how collections are managed at their host institution, conduct individual research, participate in giving guided tours and in organizing events and activities. Monitoring is carried out by an onsite supervisor and a faculty member. Grades reflect weekly reports, one paper and a special project, and an overall evaluation. An average of 10-12 hours weekly at the internship site; schedules and onsite duties may vary. Museum and gallery internships require some Saturday hours. Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs onsite, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments) and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited, especially for students without Italian language skills. Admission requirements: student's CV, two letters of reference, a formal letter of intent. Supporting documentation must be submitted by application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of the term and an Italian language placement test. Public transport costs may apply.
An introduction to the role of music in one of the 20th centurys defining art forms: film. We explore film music from its silent-era origins, when music was critical to conveying a storys emotions and meaning, through to the present day. How does music function as a source of drama and emphasis in a films plot? How has musical iconography been codified in various film genres? Key topics include an overview of film history, musical forms, the concept of associative listening, and major film music techniques and how composers use them in scoring. We also analyze some of movie historys most iconic soundtracks by such composers as Morricone, Williams, Rota, Horner, and many others, including films by Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Federico Fellini, Sergio Leone, James Cameron and Wes Anderson, and discuss what makes these scores so effective.
Mystery Cults of the Ancient Mediterranean Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Explores the most important features of Greek and Roman religion and mythology, with a particular focus on the mystery cults dedicated to Isis, Mithra, Demeter and Kore, and a series of other deities. Their elaborate initiation rituals and their social importance in ancient Greece and Rome as revealed in literary and archaeological sources. Then we place these cults in their long-term historical context, following their later evolution from the Renaissance to the present.
New Media: Communication in the Digital Age Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Mass media have existed for centuries, but what does the term signify today? In decades past, they consisted of physical, paper newspapers, radio, and television; but the digital age has introduced new devices for receiving and sharing information (laptops, digital cameras, smart phones, iPods, iPads) and new virtual locations (blogs, chat rooms, social networks, online shops, peer-to-peer platforms) that are supposedly shaped around our desires and interests, but which we often come to perceive as imposed needs. We explore the causes and effects of the digital revolution, the features and functions of the principal digital communications devices (and sites), and how they have impacted us as citizens, artists, professionals, and individuals.
Not just Italian Food: Culinary & Cultural Traditions Hours: 42 Credits: 3
Italian cuisine is the sum of the contributions of various regional culinary traditions which, despite standardizing trends, have managed to maintain unique flavors and ingredients. We explore the diversity of Italys culinary microcultures, with a particular focus on the social and historical context in which these dishes and cooking practices have evolved, and the particular local geographical and environmental conditions that make them unique. How does food relate to local customs and lifestyle? How can these local particularities best be preserved and promoted, becoming true resources of the territory?
Effective operations management is crucial in the industrial, service, and other sectors. We investigate good practices and incisive methodologies useful in these and other professional contexts: quantitative decision-making techniques, forecasting, planning techniques for managing capacities, locations, and processes, resource and materials planning, and the design of job and work measurement systems. Other key topics include inventory systems, models and quality-control methods.
Optional Open Lab for Jewelry Making Hours: 60 Credits: 0
Optional Open Lab reservation for free elective Jewelry Making students. Students enrolled in JWY 180 will obtain additional open lab hrs in a supervised jewelry lab, upon reservation. It does NOT take place in weeks 1, 2, 7, 14. Exact open lab schedule and sign-up sheets posted after the second class.
Organic foods have become a familiar site on both restaurant menus and supermarket shelves. But what does organic agriculture actually imply? Well, many things: respect for a farms unique environment and the absence of pesticides; coordination of farming elements and the rejuvenation of fields compromised by intensive agriculture; and new techniques that permit productivity, quality, and profitability, while respecting stringent legislative regulations. We explore organic agriculture from the perspective of business management, agronomy, as well as history, culture and ethics. Students also experience the process firsthand through participation in seasonal activities at local farms and facilities, including horticultural work in the spring and olive harvesting and pressing in fall. Course meets for 45 hours in fall, 60 hours in summer, and 90 hours in spring.
Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory Hours: 45 Credits: 4
First half of a two-semester introduction to organic chemistry. An examination of the structures, properties, functionalities, and resulting reactions of organic compounds. We cover alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols and ethers, which we explore in terms of nomenclature, stereochemistry, stability, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopy-based structural analysis. Three hours of weekly lab sessions help students consolidate and expand on theories and concepts, providing hands-on training in laboratory purification, synthesis techniques and results analysis. Taught in collaboration with the University of Florence. Note: Specific attendance and grading policies apply.
Organic Chemistry II with Laboratory Hours: 45 Credits: 4
Second half of a two-semester introduction to organic chemistry. A more in-depth look at the structures, properties, functionalities, and resulting reactions of organic compounds, and the relationships between them. We investigate alcohols, ethers, conjugated systems, amines, carbonyl derivatives, etc., focusing on reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, multiple-step synthesis, and advanced spectroscopic analytics. Three hours of weekly lab sessions help students consolidate and expand on theories and concepts, providing hands-on training in laboratory techniques such as separation, synthesis, and analysis. Taught in collaboration with the University of Florence. Note: Specific attendance and grading policies apply.
How do people and groups within organizations behave and react to and interpret events? What strategies can guide the parts to working effectively toward the goals of the whole? We explore the role of organizational systems, structures, and processes in shaping individual and collective behavior, and analyze why organizations function (or malfunction) the way they do. Our interdisciplinary approach draws on concepts and research from the fields of Management, Anthropology, Sociology, and Psychology to provide a foundation for managing people successfully in any context.
Organized Crime: Sociology and History of the Italian Mafia Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Many Italian words have been adopted in other languages, but perhaps none is as widespread as mafia, applied to a variety of criminal organizations in every corner of the world. We explore organized crime in Italy from a historical, social, and cultural perspective, tracing its evolution from the 19th century to the present. Our main focus will be the Sicilian Mafia, a pioneer in many ways and model for similar organizations, both in other Italian regions and for the American Mob, a direct outgrowth of Sicilian criminal culture and immigration. We analyze how the mafia uses language, with its message systems and code of silence, the role of violence, structures of power, social relationships, and the economics of organized crime and its impact on Italian society and politics.
An introduction to the conservation of wood and canvas paintings. We explore methodologies, techniques and materials. Students benefit from close guidance at every step of the process: the proper handling of works of art in a precarious state of conservation and the analysis of their material composition, how they were made, and what interventions they require for conservation. We gain practical experience working on panels where we experiment and learn infilling and basic chromatic selection techniques. Students also have the opportunity to participate in work on original pieces present in the Restoration Lab.
Working exclusively with original paintings, students develop a more independent approach to conservation through a full immersion in the various phases of conservation. Specific methods and techniques vary according to the conservation needs of the work of art and available projects. Mid-term and final grades are based on the accuracy and completeness of lab records, including relevant research and photographic documentation, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the state and progress of conservation activities for the benefit of future work and study.
What role have private and public palaces played in Florentine life over the centuries? Why were they built in certain areas at certain times, and how did styles change? We examine the function of these buildings in the citys history between the 13th and 17th century from an interdisciplinary perspective: not only do we explore the development of architectural and artistic styles and the stories of patrons, residents, and architects, but how evolution of these buildings was connected to major social, economic, cultural, and political phenomena over five centuries of Florentine history. Includes visits to a number of the citys palaces, allowing students to experience and study these spaces firsthand.
Participation, Empowerment, and Social Change Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Empowerment is intimately connected to citizens participation in the shaping of public policies. Individuals and groups that are aware of their own power and capabilities are more effective in making their voices heard about issues that affect and matter to them, whether its real estate speculation, public safety, or fair pay. We explore the main theories and models, as well as practical examples, of direct democracy and individual and group empowerment. How is empowerment related to conflict resolution? Which tools and techniques are most useful in mobilizing people to take an active role in civic life, thus making sure that democracy isnt participatory in name only? An important focus will be recent developments in web-based participation (use of social media, flash mobs, etc.). Includes hands-on experience with empowerment techniques and relevant role-playing exercises.
The flat-pattern method allows designers to draft and modify patterns or blocks efficiently, as well as create new patterns with custom measurements. We begin with basic patterns, learning to adjust fit and design lines within the broader framework of the basic rules of pattern making. Students create two original designs during the course of the semester, which they cut first in muslin to resolve any issues related to fit and construction. Provides a broader understanding of the possibilities of apparel design and construction.
Perspective Drawing and Rendering Hours: 90 Credits: 3
Develops your ability to depict precision interiors and objects by hand. Students learn drawing techniques and their professional applications, without the use of the computer, both freehand and with the aid of technical tools. Subjects include finishes, fabrics, furniture, and accessories of many different materials (wood, plastic, stone, etc.), which are represented using rendering tools such as Promarkers or other professional markers, chalks, and watercolors. We discuss questions of presentation and the different methods of visual representation, including sketching and technical 2-D and 3-D drawing.
Portfolio Development in Jewelry Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Build on your knowledge and know-how from previous Jewelry Design courses to create professional presentations of both your work and yourself as a designer and artist. Our goal is to guide students to the completion of a professional individual portfolio with a coherent, visually-convincing concept. Work includes hand-drawn and digital renderings using 3-D modeling software such as Rhino, as well as photography of jewelry pieces. Portfolio contents should reflect designs and pieces made in the framework of the program. Note: Only open to students in the Jewelry Design Professional Certificate program
Principles of Drawing and Composition Hours: 60 Credits: 3
The essential techniques and concepts for drawing figures and objects and arranging them in relation to one another. We introduce the fundamentals of drawing with charcoal, pencil, red chalk, and a variety of other media. Each session aims to transmit a core concept and skills which are then consolidated through observation and practical exercises. Our subjects of interest include still lives, the human figure, architecture, and landscapes, which we analyze in depth from both a technical and compositional standpoint. Abundant inspiration and material for analysis are provided by the exceptional works of art, architecture and landscapes of our host city. Students consolidate their abilities in a variety of genres and media, and acquire a better theoretical understanding, a key to future studies.
Principles of Fashion Photography Hours: 90 Credits: 3
The fundamental concepts and techniques of photography, with a focus on its uses and applications in the fashion sector. We explore the history, aesthetics, and technology of photography and its essential role both on and off the catwalk. From a technical standpoint, our focuses include lighting, settings, locations, use of flash units, portable and studio units, and light metering. Students also familiarize themselves with classic B&W photography skills and digital know-how that are specifically useful in fashion, emphasizing digital photography color with Camera Raw and Photoshop. Includes studio and on-location shooting with live models, and possible collaborations with the Fashion Department for developing realistic fashion-based projects. Course is 70% digital, 30% film and darkroom. Note: Each student must have a DSLR camera with manual setting and at least one lens.
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of finance. These include time value of money, valuation and risk, assets, securities, financing long-and short-term, capital markets. Students will also be exposed to basic procedures for the application and interpretation of financial statement analysis. The course will combine the theoretical underpinning of finance with real-world examples, including several case study discussions.
Principles of Landscape and Architecture Photography Hours: 90 Credits: 3
The city of Florence, with its unique historical and cultural heritage, offers a fantastic environment to learn landscape and architecture photography. This course provides an imperative basic approach to photographic practice, with a focus on the essentials of the landscape and architecture aspects of this art medium. Under the instructor's guidance and through analysis of modern and contemporary work, students explore Florence and its surrounding areas, learning how to select interesting subjects and exercise effective* technical and compositional control. The course is divided into field practice outdoor shooting, darkroom technique sessions for B&W, and digital lab sessions for color. Focus is also placed on the use of 35mm, medium and large format film cameras. Lab practice provides students with the opportunity to develop photographic prints as well as the development of selected digital Photoshop techniques specific to Architecture and Landscape photography. This course is 30% film and darkroom and 70% digital.
What does it mean for a country to be in a recession? How important is the national debt, and why does it seem to be more of a problem for some nations than others? How are public health and social welfare related to macroeconomic questions? Compared to human demand, the resources necessary for producing goods and services are always limited, and Economics studies how we make choices in conditions of scarcity. We explore how these choices are made on a large scale, such as that of a city, state, country, continent, or the entire planet. How governments develop economic policies, and how these choices are modeled and studied by economists. Topics include growth vs. stagnancy/contraction, business cycles, inflation and deflation, and unemployment.
What makes marketing such a dynamic and exciting field? What can good marketing give to a company, and how can it help overcome the challenges businesses face on an everyday basis? We explore marketings essential principles and concepts, as well as the true nature and scope of marketing management. Topics include marketing strategy, the 4 Ps, market planning, retailing and wholesaling, target marketing, market segmentation, and services marketing. We also discuss marketings strategic importance to any organization, whether it be a for-profit commercial enterprise or a non-profit or charitable entity.
How do individuals and businesses behave economically? How do the markets work? Economic analysis is an essential tool for understanding social phenomena, and we look at the basics of economic ways of thinking, with the help of economic theory and specific analytical methods and assumptions. We explore microeconomic languages, methods and modeling; the production process and market strategies for individual businesses; consumer theory and how economists model individual behavior; and how the competitive and non-competitive markets works. Case studies and the analysis of specific economic policies relevant to our more general topics provide useful context and show how theory works on the ground. Useful for students in the applied social sciences, and an essential foundation for further studies in Economics and Business.
Design means creating a close connection between conception and production; Design is like a bat: half-bird and half-mouse. We explore the world of industrial design: the artistic qualities of objects created for mass production. The industrial designers work encompasses not only technology, materials, assembly and the challenges of serial production, but alsoand most importantlythe formal and artistic value of the objects themselves. Our broad perspective investigates not only production processes and the design of individual products, but also their final destination in a space alongside other objects and their aesthetic relationship with them. Class sessions include slide-based lectures, group discussions of readings, exercises in basic product design, and field trips to relevant stores.
An opportunity to put conceptual and technical design knowledge to use in designing a new product. We explore design and its meanings, the evolution of design in history, and the work of some of the most famous Italian and international designers. Other topics include an introduction to bionics (biologically inspired engineering) and the history of the materials and technologies used in industrial manufacturing. But the main project revolves around a complete, original product design, with sketches, renderings, technical drawings of the appropriate dimensions, and 3-D drawings that constitute much of the final presentation book. Students also produce a physical model of their product in the material of their choice. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended.
Learn to plan, implement, and manage the development of apparel lines. We take an in-depth look at target market description and analysis, trend forecasting, garment styling, material selection, sourcing, and production. Students also explore the possibilities and specificities of private label products (made by a third-party company), and strategies for managing costs and quality control in the development process from concept to finished product.
Professional Jewelry Experience Hours: 90 Credits: 3
The Florentine goldsmith tradition combines the legacy of the Renaissance artisanal workshop with contemporary research and design, making the local jewelry design scene vibrant and eclectic. This is why many international brands, designers, and artists, choose Florence as their production base for high quality jewelry. The Professional Jewelry Experience course gives students the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts directly in their jewelry studio practices, focusing on various projects while experiencing first-hand the practices of an established jewelry designer. Students will learn how to interact and collaborate with a variety of creative professionals involved in all aspects of production, from goldsmiths and stone setters, to CAD experts, graphic designers and photographers. This experiential learning course provides the know-how to running a thriving jewelry studio, from producing one-of-a kind pieces to managing a successful business. Note: Only open to students in the Jewelry Design Professional Certificate program
Psychology of Art and Human Creativity Hours: 42 Credits: 3
Creativity is universal to our species, and art is one of its most fascinating forms of expression. But while forms of art have existed in all human cultures, what do we really know about creative expression from a psychological perspective? Why drives people to make art? At the intersection of the arts, neuroscience, cognitive studies, psychoanalysis, and cultural and developmental psychology, we look at the psychological processes that underlie human creativity and its expression in various art forms (painting, sculpture, architecture, performance art, dance, music, film, photography) in the context of our cultural and cognitive evolution. Includes experiential workshops, hands-on class activities, a meeting with a local artist, inspiring site visits, and a creative personal project that will be part of a collective exhibition.
Why do criminals behave the way they do? How does this behavior impact them as individuals and the society in which they live? We approach these questions and more from developmental, cognitive-behavioral, and other psychological perspectives, with the basic premise that multiple variables, both intrinsic and extrinsic, affect peoples behavior. Topics include criminological theory, biological and psychological models of criminal behavior, crime and mental disorders, human aggression and violence, sexual assault, and criminal homicide. We also examine etiology, risk factors, assessment, and treatment in relation to different typologies of criminal behavior, through the most up-to-date research in the field.
What are we referring to when we speak of public relations? What does someone in PR do, and how have jobs in this sector changed over the decades? We explore PR theory, as well as the tools and strategies for a successful public relations campaign (planning, issue analysis, research methods and goals). Through case studies and exercises, we familiarize ourselves with the fields in which PR professionals operate: media relations, event management, crisis management, corporate identity, internal/external communications, community relations, international PR and marketing support, and effectiveness evaluation. The future of the field, and how new technologies may contribute to more effective, original PR solutions
The shaping of public spaces in the contemporary city. How can urban areas be transformed into sites that attract people and arouse positive emotions? What is the role of buildings, plants and gardens, materials, and other factors in both successful and unsuccessful projects? We look at recent work by world-renowned architects, landscape designers, and artists to familiarize ourselves with a variety of methods and approaches. A class project will consist in the selection of a specific site in Florence or the surrounding area, which students develop a concept and plan to improve from with point of public space design, leading up to a final presentation with drawings, models, video, etc. Includes numerous visits to relevant local sites.
An introduction to traditional relief printing, with an emphasis on woodcuts and linocuts, color printing, paper types, and large-scale printing. We explore the various techniques for color and black-and-white relief printing, including black-and-white woodcuts (one matrix), multiple color woodcuts (three matrices), and reduction woodcuts (multiple colors with one matrix), as well as the printing process itself (manual and relief press). Our focuses include two-dimensional pictorial constructions (figures, still lifes, landscapes, geometric structures), and a refined use of form, value, line and composition. We investigate and analyze exceptional works of art in this field, both in Florence and elsewhere.
An introduction to the basics of integrating 2-D design environments with virtual 3-D rendering techniques. We analyze both the theoretical and practical side of the process, applying our know-how to solve practical problems and gain familiarity with real-world applications. Particular emphasis is placed on the rendering of three-dimensional objects for professional purposes: designs of products for mass production, virtual spaces, graphic symbols, and packaging. Projects allow students to explore the possibilities of these technologies in the area of their choosing.
An exploration of the importance of design in the creation of displays for consumer merchandise. We look at the various aspects of designing shops and showrooms, learning to conceive complete retail layouts and represent them through technical drawings. Students have the opportunity to complete retail-centered design projects during the course of the semester, researching contexts similar to their own subject, expanding on their knowledge to create innovative, effective solutions in terms of both functionality and aesthetics, and presenting their results in convincing fashion. Note: A personal laptop is highly recommended.
We explore how the retail environment has evolved over time and its major characteristics in todays global, digital society. Students develop an in-depth knowledge of retail strategies, operations, and organizational structures and formats, including managerial ethics and promotional design, building the skills required for a successful career in the field. Topics also include multi-channel and international retailing, strategic planning, and supply chain and human resources management.
Romeo and Juliet: a Love story across the Arts Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Romeo and Juliet are undoubtedly the most famous couple in Western culture. Driven by the fatal attraction that intertwines their destinies, the young star-crossed lovers of Shakespeares tragedy symbolize the destructive, yet passionately vital struggle for freedom regardless of social norms and expectations. We explore the universal appeal of this myth as it has been interpreted in diverse genres and media without ever losing its powerful impact: in ballet, through the choreographies and productions based on the scores of Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev; in theatre, with Franco Zeffirellis groundbreaking 1960 production at the Old Vic theatre in London; and in film, from West Side Story, the musical loosely based on the original play, to the more faithful versions directed by Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann.
The scientific concepts, materials, and techniques at the foundation of art conservation and restoration. We explore an array of topics including the physical and chemical properties of porous materials, synthetic materials, deterioration and consolidation, the nature of dirt, mechanical cleaning, liquids and solutions, organic solvents, cleaning with water, acidity and alkalinity, and chemical reaction-based cleaning.
Whats in a screenplay? More than you might think. Its unique nature demands a specific architecture that distinguishes it from other types of writing. We examine the basic principles of screenwriting through lectures, workshop discussions and scene-writing exercises. Topics include theories of screenwriting, structure and development (scenes, sequences, acts), style, format, writing with images, plot analysis, and character construction. Students then develop a subject of their choice into a roughly 20-page screenplay, inspired by their experiences in Italy, a story, or another source. Their original concept is articulated first into a coherent outline (a detailed summary of the scenes and main events), then transformed into a solid, formal screenplay based on a three-act structure.
Students will work independently in an area of studio art or digital media of their choice. Those students enrolled in Senior Thesis will meet for a normally scheduled class session once each week for general critique and review, and with their faculty advisors separately for additional review. Their goals will be to sharpen the skill required by the area they have chosen and to produce a final thesis project worthy of professional portfolio or performance standards. Senior Thesis will bring each students work to a new level of technical and aesthetic proficiency in preparation for the assembly of a final graduation portfolio.
Social Media Marketing Internship Hours: 135 Credits: 3
A practical, professional experience in LdMs Social Media Office or at an advertising or communication agency. Interns perform tasks that may include social media-based market research, promotional and advertising strategy development, photo archive management and development, managing and interacting with the LdM alumni network and its communication tools, and managing online databases. Monitoring is carried out by an onsite supervisor and a faculty member. Grades reflect the assessment of weekly reports, one paper and one special project, and an overall evaluation. An average of 10-12 hours weekly at the internship site; schedules and onsite duties may vary. Note: Requires 135 internship hours minimum (120 hrs onsite, plus 15 hrs to complete meetings and assignments), and full-time status with a minimum of 15 credits per semester. Placement opportunities are limited and subject to change. Admission requirements: student's CV, two reference letters, a formal letter of intent, samples of writing and marketing work (blog writing, social media campaigns, press releases, advertising projects, photos). Supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline, and acceptance is subject to an onsite interview during the first week of the term. Public transport costs may apply.
How do we think about, influence, and relate to other people? What is the role of others in forming our perception of ourselves, our attitudes, and the degree to which we obey rules and generally conform? We explore human social behavior through the fields major theories, findings, approaches, and methods, emphasizing an interpersonal perspective. Specific topics include attribution theory, causes of prejudice and aggression and methods for reducing them, altruism, development of gender roles, stereotypes, and nonverbal behavior. We also make use of our Italian setting to compare and contrast the influence of different cultures on individual and group behavior.
Nothing is more important in achieving life and career goals as learning how to communicate in ways that make you understood and credible. Thats easy to say, but not easy to do, because almost no one is born with those skills. In fact, speaking in front of others is one of humankinds most powerful fears. This course provides real-life skills to reduce performance anxiety, and how to engage an audience with your body language, as well as your words; how to read an audience and powerfully project your thoughts and emotions.
An exploration of the science behind sports nutrition, and its applications for boosting performance in elite athletes and supporting the physical activities of weekend warriors and other enthusiasts. We cover the main principles of exercise physiology and nutrition based on state-of-the-art scientific evidence, including controversial topics that push the limits of our knowledge and help students develop critical thinking skills regarding thorny ethical issues (such as the use of supplements, with their effects on performance and muscle development). Provides scientific tools for using nutrition as part of a sports training program.
Learn the principal methods for setting both cabochons and faceted stones. What is the most appropriate type of setting for the various types of stones and styles of jewelry? We explore how to prepare the various tools and maintain them in optimal condition. Techniques covered include several types of prong settings, bezel settings for stones of different shapes, and fishtail settings. Students benefit from both demonstrations and practical exercises in these methods and techniques.
In-depth study of and practice with various stone-setting techniques: channel settings, flush settings, and various traditional Florentine-style grain settings for both single and multiple stones. We explore the structural principles of how the settings are constructed, giving students a more comprehensive understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a given piece of jewelry. Techniques are taught through both live demonstrations and guided practical exercises.
Stop-Motion Workshop: The Art of Animating Objects Hours: 90 Credits: 6
The Stop-motion Workshop offers participants the unique opportunity to delve into the captivating realm of animation, where clay, sand, and paper come alive in visually stunning tales. Hosted at the prestigious Misseri Studio at the wonderful Castello di Montalbano, this workshop immerses participants in an environment where renowned TV series like Bert & Ernie's Great Adventures, a claymation version of Sesame Street, Pozzie, Mio Mao, and Mofy are brought to life. This immersive experience covers essential aspects such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, character design, animation, and post-production editing, equipping attendees with the necessary skills to unleash their creativity. Throughout the workshop, participants will unleash their creativity to craft captivating paper folding animations, both individually and collaboratively, while utilizing industry-standard software such as Dragonframe, Adobe After Effects, and Adobe Premiere. In addition to the hands-on experience, valuable insights into job opportunities within television and online media will be explored, providing participants with a broader understanding of the industry. Enrollment into this transformative experience requires a manual abilities assessment.
Studio Art Professional Portfolio Hours: 15 Credits: 1
What do you need to know and know how to do to pave the way for a successful career in the arts? We examine the skills and materials that students should master to excel in the professional art world: assembling a professional digital portfolio, creating a functional and compelling website, writing an effective CV and getting the necessary letters of reference, a familiarity with precious research tools, knowing how to balance a budget, and preparing for and performing successfully in interviews.
Sustainability: Science, Political Economy and Business Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The word sustainability seems to be everywhere these days. But how has this concept evolved over time? What are the fundamental ideas and theories that support it, and what are its scientific, technological, and economic dimensions? In examining these questions, we look closely at the roles of various stakeholders, such as governments, NGOs and businesses, in promoting a more sustainable society. There are also those who have opposed or impeded sustainable practices, and we explore how they have done so and their reasons, both stated and otherwise. Students develop their own sustainability-based project concerning a specific field of their choice.
Sustainability is also a question of architecture. Designing buildings with locally-sourced materials, and that are energy efficient and use renewable fuel sources, helps combat global warming and pollution and aids regional economies on a daily basis. We explore the sustainable solutions of yesterday, today and tomorrow for making buildings as self-sufficient and cost-effective as possible while rendering highly-polluting fossil fuels obsolete. How do we reduce our energy needs? How can renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, geothermic, hydroelectric or biomass-based power) be integrated into architectural solutions and made affordable for families and companies? Other topics include traditional strategies for creating a pleasant home or environment in adverse climactic conditions, and alternative sustainable lifestyle solutions such as cohabitation and coworking.
Sustainability is a means of survival. So its no surprise that sustainable designers are in high demand, figures capable of envisioning and creating urban complexes, buildings, interiors and objects that are functional, energy efficient, and compatible with long-term environmental conservation. We explore a variety of strategies for sustainable design, construction and future maintenance. Our holistic approach examines a range of challenges and their potential solutions, the range of renewable energy sources (sun, wind, water and geothermal power), and the recycling, reuse, and reduction of materials in both construction and product design. Students also gain experience putting their creativity and technical know-how to work developing feasible solutions for real-life situations.
Sustainability is a means of survival. So its no surprise that sustainable designers are in high demand, figures capable of envisioning and creating urban complexes, buildings, interiors and objects that are functional, energy efficient, and compatible with long-term environmental conservation. We explore a variety of strategies for sustainable design, construction and future maintenance. Our holistic approach examines a range of challenges and their potential solutions, the range of renewable energy sources (sun, wind, water and geothermal power), and the recycling, reuse, and reduction of materials in both construction and product design. Students also gain experience putting their creativity and technical know-how to work developing feasible solutions for real-life situations.
Sustainable Food and the New Global Challenge Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Food and culinary culture through the lens of environmental preservation, sustainable agriculture, biological and culinary diversity, and global social justice. Our multidisciplinary approach combines cutting-edge academic research with the traditional, grassroots knowledge of farmers and producers, exploring the nutritional, social, and environmental aspects of food and food systems. What are the big-picture consequences of developing sustainable food sources? Are there any negative effects from an economic perspective? What is the place of individual consumers in todays global food system, and how can they exercise power and make their choices count?
Sustainable Italy: Environmental Awareness and Ecotourism Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Sustainable practices represent an incredible opportunity for ecotourism, which aims to attract visitors and provide them with accommodations and activities that dont exploit or damage the environment. We look at how problems of natural resources management can be transformed into exciting new possibilities, and the importance of raising awareness of this potential for economic gain via environmental preservation and revival. Focusing particularly on Italy and Tuscany, we explore the range of ecosystem services (support, provisioning, regulating, cultural activities) that can stimulate local economies while protecting our natural heritage. A multidisciplinary perspective combines classroom learning, research, and fieldwork to expose students to the fascinating complexity of the environment and the possibilities for a more sustainable future.
Recognizing options in textiles and materials is fundamental in order to address the increasing interest in sustainability. Students examine the history and manufacturing processes to further understand sustainable practices in order to contribute to the preservation of the planet. Insight into the areas of content, construction and features of eco-friendly materials and alternatives of diverse industries using textiles is at the core. Included is an examination into emerging trends of sustainable materials implemented to meet consumer demands for product transparency.
Learn to execute a wide range of technical drawings, using orthographic projections, axonometry, and perspective applications. We explore different methods of geometrical presentations, and familiarize ourselves with the techniques for executing plans, sections, and elevations. An opportunity to hone sketching and rendering capabilities with applications in architectural, interior and product design, and develop a better understanding of the codes and scales of construction drawings. Structured around lectures, case studies and drawing exercises that gradually increase students confidence and expertise. Students develop a portfolio project.
The fundamentals of textile and fabric science, introducing students to the variety of materials used in fashion and their applications. We undertake a comprehensive overview of the textile industry, focusing particularly on dyeing, printing and finishing. Students expand their sector-specific vocabulary, gaining in-depth knowledge concerning fibers and their origins, structure, properties, and characteristics. Other topics include yarns, construction, weaves and knit structures. Enables students to make appropriate fabric selections for the design and execution of both apparel and home furnishing upholsteries.
The Age of Heroes: The Iliad, the Odyssey, the Aeneid, and the Origins of Western Literature Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A comparative analysis of some of the oldest, greatest literary works in Western civilization. Using the most significant chapters from the Iliad and the Odyssey, written in the 8th century BCE, we immerse ourselves in the epic, supernatural world of Homers heroes, the veritable bible of classical civilization. How did the Greeks use myths to express the archetypal values that would become the cornerstones of future generations and civilizations? How did myths function as examples of storytelling prowess, expressions of ancient cultural traditions, and basic forms of communication and instruction? Then we observe the influence of this Greek tradition on the Romans in a selection of passages from the Aeneid, Virgils foundational epic from the 1st century BCE.
How to use digital media tools to design and create a brief animated story and turn it into a film. We cover every step of the creative process, from hand-drawn sketches of the characters and backgrounds, the creation of model sheets, storyboards, and digital animatics, to the final short film with music and sound. Students receive close, constant supervision, but they are also encouraged to explore and develop each stage of the procedure for themselves, learning through experience and letting their creativity guide them. No prior drawing or animation experience required.
The Art of Persuasion, from Antiquity to Modern Times Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Since ancient times, the art of persuasive speaking has empowered people and offered tools to succeed in social, political and judicial contexts. The course will look into the techniques that have made language powerful through the ages, in both Greco-Roman antiquity and modern political discourse. Both linguistic and non-linguistic strategies will be analyzed: creation of arguments, choice of vocabulary, use of proof and demonstrative strategies, performance, construction of the political self, weakening of the opponent. Comparisons between ancient and modern rhetorical strategies will be constantly drawn. During the interactive sessions, the students will also actively apply the techniques which have been studied during the course. Notably, they will learn to build and deliver effective persuasive speeches and to confront their fellow classmates in debates on mostly fictitious model cases.
The Body Speaks: The Power of Non-Verbal Communication Hours: 45 Credits: 3
How we physically present ourselves, our Body Language, is a critical element of how we are perceived in every aspect of our personal and professional lives. The ability to speak effectively in public is undeniably important, but doing so in a way that communicates the same emotional or intellectual message is equally important. Your tone of voice, how you use your hands and your ability to make eye contact say as much about you and the message you hope to convey as the words you use. In this class, you will learn and practice techniques that will help you project confidence as well as greater personal energy in all of your interpersonal interactions.
The Built Environment of Florence Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The architectural history of Florence is remarkable to say the least. We survey the evolution of the citys built environment from its origins to the present day, with a particular focus on the period between the Middle Ages and the late Renaissance (11th-17th century). How have architectural style and city planning changed, as revealed in Florences buildings, city walls, streets and squares? What was the relationship of the citys physical growth to its exceptional economic, cultural, and artistic ascent in its historical prime, and to developments in the rest of Europe generally? Numerous site visits allow students to compare historical and scholarly sources with the physical evidence, and learn to read the stylistic as well as the material and socio-cultural histories of buildings and spaces.
Europe has pioneered international regional integration and collective sovereignty. We track the E.U.s development from the aftermath of World War II to its 2004 expansion into Central and Eastern Europe and the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, exploring the nature and unique characteristics of European integration. First we review the ideas, events, and actors that contributed to the foundation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and European Economic Community (EEC), and the latters subsequent enlargement from 6 to 27 countries. Then, following an in-depth look at E.U. institutions and policies, particularly the crucial years from 1985 to 1993, we reflect on three major questions facing the E.U. in the new millennium: What is the E.U.s identity as a political subject? What is its purpose? What role should it assume in a global world?
The Fantastic and Strange in Italy: Art, Curiosity Collections, and Tales Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Interdisciplinary study of the fantastic and the strange in Italy from the Renaissance to today. Special attention to: cabinets of curiosities; death / slumber themes in folklore, reliquaries, and anatomical art; the history of famous court marvels and freak show performers; Renaissance and contemporary art with fantastic themes. Little-known histories and visits to splendid collections (Palazzo Vecchio, Museo degli Argenti, Boboli Gardens, Anthropological Museum, "La Specola") enable students to experience the unusual linked to ethical questions and contemporary issues -- through excursions in Florence.
The life and work of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), one of historys most gifted and revolutionary artists. We examine his long artistic career as a sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. A key focus will be the artists personal and artistic relationship with his peers, particularly his illustrious contemporaries, the great masters Leonardo and Raphael. We also explore his many important patrons, including the Medici in Florence and the papal court in Rome. Students gain a detailed knowledge of Michelangelos oeuvre while strengthening their skills in analyzing major works of art. Important sources include recent literature in the field, documents from Michelangelos own time, and the artists own writings. Museum visits provide an opportunity to compare Michelangelos masterpieces to the works of his contemporaries.
The Holocaust: Jewish and Christian Responses Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An introduction to the Holocaust, its causes, its legacy, and its implications. What role did Christian anti-Judaism play in the Nazi rise to power and the "Final Solution"? How did the Vatican and world Jewry react to the racist policies and violence of Europes Fascist regimes, and why? We examine a series of accounts of life in the Nazi-controlled Jewish ghettos and death camps to try to understand what happened and how it was possible, then look at the efforts of particular Christian and Jewish communities to remember and learn from the Holocaust and how best to represent those events today. With a special focus on the Italian Jewish experience leading up to and during the Holocaust, including the rise of Fascism in Italy and the Racial Laws it eventually produced.
We explore the general guidelines and develop the critical thinking skills necessary for achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in the contemporary world. Topics include the basic components of nutrition, the physiological principles of a balanced diet, and the correct use of nutrients. How does an individual determine their optimal nutritional requirements? How are nutrition and well-being connected? How do food sources and production techniques influence nutritional value? We also investigate the individual choices and social dynamics that lead to eating disorders, and the effects of an unbalanced diet and consequent weight gain/loss. Includes hands-on lab work.
The Power of Interpersonal Communication Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Interpersonal communication is the soul of any human interaction. How you represent yourself, and your message, is the single most important factor in whether you succeed or fail in just about every aspect of your personal, social or professional life. It's so essential that it transcends the borders of language, politics and culture. This course deeply explores foundational concepts such as cultural bias, perception and norms, conflict resolution and power dynamics. Most of all, it will demonstrate how skills like: story telling, empathetic listening, recognizing non-verbal cues and constructively harnessing your emotions will make you a powerful and effective communicator in every aspect of your personal and professional life.
The Princely Renaissance: Art at the Italian Courts Hours: 45 Credits: 3
We explore the flourishing of the arts at many of the most dynamic century Italian courts (15th to early 16th). Our analysis goes beyond a strictly art historical approach to embrace the full array of courtly institutionsthe chivalric tradition, hunting, jousting, scholarship, festivitiesthat influenced and was influenced by the visual arts. We investigate the special patronage conditions that played a major role in dictating the nature of Renaissance art in these contexts, and look at how artists personal styles were affected. How did art for princes differ from the production based in the Italian republics of the age? Though our main focus will be on figures such as Pisanello, Mantegna, Francesco Cossa, Piero della Francesca, Laurana, Alberti, and their work in Ferrara, Mantua, Urbino and Rimini, we also compare these Italian princely milieus to their counterparts in northern Europe.
The Pursuit of Happiness: Cultivating Well-Being in Challenging Times Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Don't worry, be happy! Happiness is trendy both in academic and popular culture. Self-help books and internet guides to living a happier life have proliferated over the last decade. But is it truly possible to define and measure happiness? How can you tell whether you, or others, are happy or not? With an interdisciplinary approach that draws from experimental philosophy and positive psychology, we investigate the great Eastern and Western thinkers on the subject of happiness: from Plato, Aristotle, Confucius and Lao Tzu to Nietzsche, Mill and Thoreau. Students also engage in a series of experiments, activities, and narrative exercises to stimulate reflection on the topic and, we hope, promote their own social and emotional well-being.
The Quarters of Florence: History and Culture Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A firsthand, immersive experience in Florences historical center and the four quartieri, or neighborhoods, into which the city has been divided since 1252. Named after their principal church, they have each presented their own unique social, political, and urban characteristics over the centuries, and these themes and questions form the backbone of the course. Which prestigious families, major buildings, artistic masterpieces, economic activities, and historical events have marked the development of each neighborhood? To what extent do these distinctions still prevail today? Other topics include the construction of identity (individual, family, neighborhood, civic); the nature of social capital, networks, and agency; the creation and preservation of local culture; and the complex balance between heritage and transformation. Includes frequent site visits.
The Saints Go Marching In: Saints in Italian Tradition Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Saints are a quintessential element in the daily life of the Italian people. In fact, many Italian festivities are connected to the celebration of Saints day and every city has a saint patron. Religious processions associated with saints are not only linked to major Catholic celebrations (e.g., Christmas, Easter or All Saints day), but mostly with local festivals, such as the race of the ceri (candles) in Gubbio, the famous Palio of Siena (Siena's classic horse race), or the Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Florence's archaic soccer match), that are celebrated in honour of the local patron Saints. Aim of this course is to give a general orientation in the analysis of the Christian concept of sanctity from its origins to the present day, with a special attention to Italian history and traditions. The main models of sanctity, in their historical development, will be analyzed. Starting from New Testament paradigmatic figures, and analyzing primary sources including Acts of the Martyrs, lives of the saints, treatises on Christian holiness, and canonical laws of the Catholic Church, the course will provides students with knowledge and understanding of cult of saints in Italy, as well as a new perspective in Italian history, artistic heritage, folkloric traditions and daily life.
The Science of Food, Health, and Well-Being Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The biological properties of food, and their effects on peoples health. We explore a wide variety of cooking and food preparation techniques, and analyze how they modify the nutritional properties of what we eat. Topics include metabolism, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and the benefits of phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, the importance of howand not just whatwe eat, and programs and dietary regimens for healthy living. Students also gain firsthand experience preparing a variety of healthy dishes from the Italian culinary tradition.
TV series have never been more popular, but the way they tell stories is far from new. Victorian novels, newspapers, radio, film, even the web: each has presented narrative in a serial form. We explore how seriality functions as a storytelling technique, comparing different media and analyzing a variety of serial texts from a historical perspective. What are the specific creative and production strategies behind a series, and how do these differ from a one-off, complete work? We also explore the social effects of the phenomenon, the concept of fandom," and the revolution in media consumption habits in the age of digital devices, Netflix and Amazon.
The Well Examined Life: Key Western Philosophers Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An introduction to the methods, content, and questions of philosophy, through the evolution of the main schools of Western thought. We focus on the fundamental thinkers and concerns from the early Middle Ages to the beginning of the Scientific Revolution: How did the key ideas of ancient Greek and Roman and early Christian philosophers influence their medieval and early modern successors? What was Catholicisms impact on philosophy and vice versa, especially in the Italian tradition? In exploring these questions, we look at the life and most important works of, among others, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Dante, Petrarch, Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Machiavelli, Giordano Bruno, and Galileo Galilei.
The World Changing Convergence of Media and Technology Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The explosive evolution of technology has completely rearranged the Media and Communications landscape, destroying legendary media empires and giving rise to new ones. Students will learn how brands and technologies that didnt exist when they were born, are disrupting and redefining global cultural, societal and financial structures, creating polarization and disturbing changes in societal norms. Most importantly, it will explore the critical role and ethical responsibilities of individuals in creating new guidelines for media and the ever evolving technologies that deliver its news, information and entertainment to the global community.
The World of Museums: Museology Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An integrated approach to museum theory and practice. How have the museum and the practices associated with such a place changed over the centuries? We examine the ways and the reasons people have gathered together beautiful, precious, and bizarre objects in a variety of places, and the challenges of assembling collections for world-famous museums such as the Uffizi and the Louvre. Why is our cultural heritage of such value to society, and what are the legal and ethical issues involved in its preservation? Topics also include methods of research and documentation, cataloging, display, basic communication techniques, the museum as an educational space, preventive and remedial conservation, environmental monitoring and control, and safety and storage. Specific focus on Italian and Florentine museums, which students visit and analyze according to the most innovative museological theory and practices.
The Yoga Tradition: History, Philosophy and Practice Hours: 45 Credits: 3
This yoga course is tailored for experienced yogis who have a foundational understanding of yoga studies and asana practice. It delves deep into the rich traditions and texts that have shaped the philosophy and practice of yoga. Exploring the Buddhist and Hindu origins of yoga, this course covers topics such as Asceticism, Tantra yoga, Raja yoga, the Bhakti movement, and Sufism. Students will analyze insightful texts like the Bhagavatapurana and critically examine the historical and present roles of women in yoga. Through a combination of theoretical study, practical exercises, and experiential learning, participants will gain a profound understanding of the origins, philosophies, and varied approaches to yoga. A willingness to explore diverse aspects and traditions of yoga, engage in self-reflection, and pursue personal growth are essential for students enrolling in this course.
What ideas lie at the foundation of art conservation and restoration? What are the principal objectives of this sort of work, and what are the limits of the discipline? We reveal the methodological foundations of the practice at an intermediate level: the history of conservation and how it has evolved over time, and the various schools of thought, methods, and ethical systems that exist in the field. The influence of conservation theory on national and international legislation in the field of cultural heritage protection, as well as international guidelines for best practices. Fosters a critical, responsible approach to art and its care that is just as important as a conservators technical skills.
Topics in Mathematics for Liberal Arts Hours: 45 Credits: 3
A basic introduction to mathematics designed for Liberal Arts majors who would normally have little exposure to the subject at the college level. We cover fundamental concepts and ideas from set theory, algebra, and geometry, with a focus on how a working knowledge of math is extremely useful in our daily lives and in an array of scenarios that we are all likely to encounter.
Historically, Italy has been an incredibly potent source of inspiration for writers and poets from around the world. Countless novels, stories, and poems have sprung from their authors travels and experiences in the bel paese. We explore the art and craft of travel writing with a particular emphasis on Italian cities, though our minds and pens will also wander to other real and imagined worlds. Visits to sites of historic, artistic, and cultural importance in and around Florence, along with a selection of the best in world travel literature, provide us with inspiration and models. We then use a series of guided exercises and assignments to explore and practice firsthand the distinctive qualities of travel writingits combination of history, culture, information, musings, and memoryand how it can lead to a deeper understanding of our own experiences and cultural identity.
Develops research and analytical skills through the principal methods of forecasting fashion trends over both short and long-term periods. The differences between macro and close-to-season trends, and why trend forecasting is crucial to the fashion industry. We examine the forecasting framework and the analysis of trend and lifestyle information, marketplace dynamics, and consumer profiling as a means of increasing product value. How forecasts in general can influence future business and affect industries, from automotive to apparel and household products. Note: Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop is recommended.
An original format for developing observational, drawing and watercolor skills. Students create a series of sketchbooks whose material they transform into finished drawing projects. After an introduction to basic drawing techniques with pencil, pen and other media, we dedicate ourselves to outdoor sketching in and around the city, honing skills in representing a variety of subjects including the human form, architecture, and landscape. Exploiting the advantages of the site, we explore Tuscanias medieval churches, city walls, archaeological excavations, and everyday life, as well as the unspoiled, majestic countryside of the surrounding region. Develops students ability capture impressions efficiently in various media and at various rates and scales, and use a journal-like container for recording notes, ideas, and sketches, analyzing artwork, and developing personal interests.
An original format for developing observational, drawing and watercolor skills. Students create a series of sketchbooks whose material they transform into finished drawing projects. After an introduction to basic drawing techniques with pencil, pen and other media, we dedicate ourselves to outdoor sketching in and around the city, honing skills in representing a variety of subjects including the human form, architecture, and landscape. Exploiting the advantages of the site, we explore Tuscanias medieval churches, city walls, archaeological excavations, and everyday life, as well as the unspoiled, majestic countryside of the surrounding region. Develops students ability capture impressions efficiently in various media and at various rates and scales, and use a journal-like container for recording notes, ideas, and sketches, analyzing artwork, and developing personal interests.
A chance to conduct artistic research and give free reign to your creativity as you sketch from the museums, churches, public spaces, and idyllic landscape of Tuscania, taking part in a centuries-long artistic tradition. We immerse ourselves in the town, its historic monuments and daily activities, its inhabitants past and present, drawing inspiration from sculptures, paintings, architecture, squares and the surrounding nature. While doing so, we focus particularly on refining our skills in foreshortening and perspective. Students are encouraged to jot down notes and impressions and actively explore their own areas of interest. A lively, refreshing approach to developing observational skills and drawing and painting techniques, while compiling an array of source material for future projects.
Text is an essential part of the communication process. Since the invention of the press types was used to inform, entertain or seduce the audience of designed pieces. But how are types designed? And, how can we properly design with fonts? This course has the goal to promote the professional knowledge and skills in order to allow students to understand and develop typefaces, from calligraphic tools to type design software and editorial projects based on typography. Students will understand the ad hoc type design function for brand design and editorial graphics, with studies and applications of graphic composition and illustration.
Motion pictures were certainly one of the 20th centurys most distinctive innovations, and they remain a uniquely thrilling sensory experience. In our media-dependent culture, developing a critical understanding and practical knowledge of this form of entertainment and storytelling is vital. We explore both the theories and techniques of filmmaking, analyzing the ever-evolving language of film in both its historical development and its key genres and movements. How do directors and cinematographers choose and impose a style? How are images and sequences edited to create the final product we see on screen? We familiarize ourselves with the aesthetic and technical vocabulary, rules, conventions, and assumptions filmmakers use to build meaning. Includes stylistic exercises designed to give students a hands-on experience behind the camera.
Vegetarianism between Culture and Lifestyle Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Vegetarianism and veganism as diets and cultural practices. Vegetarianism has been a part of many cultures both ancient and modern, but it underwent a decided jump in popularity in conjunction with the increasing attention to the benefits of a healthy diet in the 19th century. We explore how deciding to become a vegetarian or vegan can arise from health reasons, beliefs about the realities of food production and animal welfare, or the desire to promote a more sustainable world. Students read and discuss professional nutritional studies concerning these two lifestyle choices and debate the pros and cons of each. They also learn to prepare dishes appropriate for both types of diets, honing their cooking skills and expanding their culinary horizons
Visual Culture in Italy Since 1945 (Art, Design, Media) Hours: 45 Credits: 3
What do Vespa scooters, Vittorio De Sica's neorealist movies, Guccis bamboo bag, Gio Pontis Superleggera chair, Giuseppe Cavallis photos of southern Italian trulli, and Alberto Burris canvases spattered with tar have in common? Is there such thing as a shared Italian visual culture? We explore this question with a communications-based approach to visual culture in post-World War II Italy. Our subjects are works of contemporary art and design, conceived as communicators of cultural messages that blur the often-artificial distinction between these two fields. Case studies highlight how designers, directors, and artists influenced one another and even collaborated directly, instances in which theory took a back seat to process and context. Students will find inspiration in these concrete paths to innovation.
Contemporary visual merchandising strategies. We focus on the primary techniques, concepts and processes, and how visual merchandising efforts contribute to specific trends and sales success in retail. The philosophy behind the creative process and the resources available for idea development, such as marketplace dynamics and consumer statistics. Students develop the skills to design, plan and organize store windows and in-store displays that effectively communicate brand identity. A vision of how todays retailers are adapting visual merchandising and communication strategies to meet consumer demands in the digital age.
Voices of an Artist: The Creative Universe of Franco Zeffirelli Hours: 45 Credits: 3
This course delves into Franco Zeffirelli's artistic achievements, career, and legacy as a renowned Italian director in lyric opera, theater, and cinema from 1954 to 2009. Over five decades, he made significant contributions to various art forms, attracting new audiences. The course places him within historical and critical contexts, uncovering his unique position in Italian and international arts and entertainment industries, as well as in social spheres. Zeffirelli's exploration of enduring themes like love and spirituality, along with his personal visual style, reflects his bold and versatile talents. Through analyzing selected films and productions alongside similar works, students gain insights into his distinct Italian essence. The course also offers access to the Fondazione Zeffirellis museum and archives in Florence, the city where he was born, lived and studied, providing invaluable insights into his mindset and artistic journey.
If truth is the first casualty of war, the chief culprit in distorting wartime truth has historically been the media. From the use of disinformation to fan the flames of conflict, to its role in motivating combatants and their respective home fronts, media has been as essential to war as the weapons with which it has been fought. That destructive power has exponentially multiplied as global news networks and Artificial Intelligence project images and information in seconds to audiences it would have taken weeks or months to reach in the past. This course will also cover the role of war in film, art and popular culture, the emergence of non-Western media, and the spread of ethnic conflicts and terrorism.
Wax Carving and Casting Techniques I Hours: 60 Credits: 3
The techniques for making jewelry with the method of lost-wax casting. We explore how to design and draw jewelry, carve them in hard and soft wax, cast them in a metal of our choosing, and then fashion the piece of metal into a finished, wearable piece of jewelry (students will design several examples during the semester). Working with wax to express our creative voice, and the technical factors to keep in mind to ensure that our original concept resembles as much as possible the final product.
Wax Carving and Casting Techniques II Hours: 60 Credits: 3
We consolidate and expand on the basic skills developed in the previous course on these techniques. Students learn advanced wax-carving techniques, alternative methods of wax modelling, and different casting techniques such as sand and cuttlefish casting. How to use rubber molds to produce multiple pieces at a time. This is a space for experimentation, in which to test the results of the various casting techniques and enhance students familiarity with the materials and their ability to use these methods to express their creative vision.
An exploration of the most popular techniques for creating a wide variety of internet-based animation. We familiarize ourselves with the best and most appropriate software and apply a range of theoretical knowledge and methods to practical situations, pushing creative boundaries as we learn the ins and outs of the latest generation of animation tools. Students develop their own stories and visual language, exploiting the full potential of the digital revolution to program complex, aesthetically convincing interactive applications.
An exploration of the essential theories and techniques of web design. We build up a structured, step-by-step knowledge of the fundamentals of the world of information and communication technology, then move on to more advanced techniques of digital editing to familiarize ourselves with the basic tools of graphic design in a web context. As the course is communications-based, students are encouraged to design and carry out projects with that put their know-how to use in a multimedia environment that reflects the majority of professional opportunities in todays world. Requires familiarity with the computer environment.
The digital era demands a knowledge of the best solutions and most appropriate media for displaying your work. We explore how to prepare a web portfolio using design and computer drafting programs: how to generate hard copies of work, how to display a students individual talents and interests in the best possible light, presenting the various phases of a project, placing finished work in context and in connection with the rest of the portfolio, and solutions to common problems in web design and image formats. Also includes an extensive overview of web design concepts (usability, accessibility, information design and graphic design). Requires regular attendance and vigorous participation in class discussions and peer review exercises.
Where Food Meets Health: The Mediterranean Diet Hours: 45 Credits: 3
An exploration of the Mediterranean diet from the standpoint of lifestyle and food choices. Since Dr. Ancel Keys first published his Seven Countries study, this influentialand controversialanalysis has attracted a great deal of attention from both doctors and the general public. We examine the relationship between food and health through a variety of sources and materials, and look at different regional diets from several countries in the Mediterranean area. Theoretical knowledge is then transformed into practical know-how in cooking sessions, where students learn to prepare a selection of Mediterranean dishes, helping to consolidate the courses core concepts and develop manual skills.
Wine and Culture I: Wines of Italy Hours: 45 Credits: 3
The place of wine in Italian history, philosophy, culture and lifestyle. Since the Etruscan and Roman periods, wine has not only been a beloved beverage in Italy, but an essential part of rich cultural traditions and a lens through which we can learn much about the practices and values of earlier cultures, and thus about our own. We explore the distinct traditions and economic, geographic and climatic features of the most prestigious Italian wine producing areas. Students familiarize themselves with grape varieties, winemaking techniques, and the various regional and national classification systems. Includes experience with organoleptic analyses (visual, olfactory and gustative) of a series of representative wines to help develop enological vocabulary and tasting skills, and the foundations of effective wine and food pairings.
How is wine sold? Why are certain wines available worldwide, while others remain well-kept secrets? We explore the business and marketing of wine, with a special focus on Italian wines and on the U.S. market. Topics include sourcing, shipment chains and trading channels, and market impact. Includes business simulations and a student-created start-up or marketing project to develop the skills necessary for those interested in working in the wine and beverage industry.
Women Artists: From the Renaissance to the Present Hours: 45 Credits: 3
Despite womens active role in the art world for centuries, we tend to identify them more as patrons, muses and models than as artists. Bucking this trend, we explore the extraordinary contribution of female artists to Western art history, and how they have shaped the evolution of artistic language from the Renaissance to today. A critical analysis and contextualization of artists such as Plautilla Nelli, Artemisia Gentileschi, Sofonisba Anguissola, Rosalba Carriera, Berthe Morisot, Tamara de Lempicka, Frida Kahlo, Cindy Sherman, and Marina Abramovic, whose works will be analyzed in their historical and socio-cultural context, as well as in a larger art-historical perspective, allows students to appreciate how female artists have gained increasing prominence in the art world in recent centuries, and grapple with the question of whether art by women possesses exclusive qualities absent from work by their male counterparts.
How do sacred texts and rituals define who we are and our roles as men and women? What do religious traditions teach communities about gender, bodies, sexuality, and the divine? Women have been defined by, harmed by, excluded from, but also enriched by religions. We consider the difficult question of gender (im)balances from within the 3 major monotheistic religions, examining both how they influence women and how women as individual participants or feminist religious scholars, can influence them. Traditional religious beliefs and values will be examined from an interfaith, Gender Studies perspective, providing the resources to understand, evaluate, and, potentially, challenge the gender-exclusive languages and institutions within religious communities and in the public sphere.
For four centuries and thirteen generations (1368-1743), the Medici were the most important family in Tuscany. Even today they remain a source of incredible prestige, their history deeply intertwined with the city of Florence and its territory. They emerged as merchants, became the most powerful bankers of the time, and transformed themselves into the lords of Florence and one of the most important families in Europe. What role did the Medici women play in this spectacular trajectory? As wives? As mothers? As daughters? Through the lens of some of the familys most famous females, we explore what it was like to live as a woman at the height of Renaissance Florence, how they participated in the major social, political and cultural phenomena of the age, and their influence on the fate of not only their family, but European history in general.
For students looking to test themselves in more ambitious projects, we offer the opportunity to learn experientially, working on real cases with actual professional objectives. The majority of coursework revolves around a professional brief, which we analyze and discuss before moving on to develop appropriate solutions. Students gain the knowledge and know-how that comes with taking on the needs of real businesses, or competitions released by crowd-sourcing platforms. With instructor guidance, students gain a thorough understanding of the specific project goals, then develop and refine the most effective techniques for realizing their proposals. Includes groupwork, and a final presentation is required. Projects may be printed, web-based, or a hybrid.
A historical and cultural survey of the basic teachings and doctrines of the world's major religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These different traditions will be addressed through the analysis of a variety of topics: the problem of defining religions; the role that religions play in the life of individuals and communities; the nature of our world and the universe; the relationship between the individual and the divine; the characteristics of religious experience; the evolutionary basis of religious behaviors, rituals and attitudes; and religious influence on ethics and human action. To better approach these themes, students will also engage with reading and discussing in class critical studies and passages taken from the most important texts of the various traditions, including the Old and New Testaments, the Koran, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist Sutras, Tao Te Ching and the Confucian Canon.
Writing is an incredibly powerful tool for gaining a deeper knowledge of ourselves. It gets us in touch with our own unique perception of the world, its idiosyncrasies, and its infinite creative potential. We explore the many ways of giving voice to our instincts, thoughts, and sensations, both as a technique of personal discovery and in order to enhance writing skills for use in any academic or professional arena. Students read pieces by prominent writers as models of form, style and content, while in-class writing exercises and discussions provide opportunities for peer learning and act as a source of mutual motivation and encouragement. Includes weekly writing assignments.
Yoga Wellness Workshop: Body and Spirit Hours: 60 Credits: 3
A summer workshop designed to offer an immersive experience in the Yoga tradition. We delve into both the philosophy and practice of Yoga, analyzing its roots in ancient India and selected ancient sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga sutras, as well as Yogas current popularity and place in western culture. Meanwhile, students experience paths to attaining spiritual realization and union with the divine, calming the busy modern mind (mindfulness), and healing and bodily harmony. We explore various breathing (Pranayama) and meditation techniques, along with Yogas sister discipline, Ayurveda, a five-thousand-year-old Indian healing system. Daily sessions introduce various schools such as Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Yin, as well as Restorative Yoga and specific therapies to combat eating disorders and addiction.
Yoga is a historical religious phenomenon, a set of physical practices, and a mainstay of modern culture. We explore its roots in ancient India and its discussion in essential texts such as the Upanishad and Patanjalis Yoga Sutras, its place in contemporary culture, and its connection to social, political and environmental activism. Yoga is a spiritual, mental, and physical practice, aiming to achieve spiritual union with the divine, inner quiet and focus, and healing and bodily harmony. We explore various breathing (Pranayama) and meditation techniques, along with Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system and science of life. Students are introduced to a wide variety of Yoga styles, such as Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Yin, Laughter, Restorative, and Bikram, as well as therapies for combatting eating disorders and addiction.
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