Curriculum Overview The CET Florence program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of Italy's artistic heritage. The program takes advantage of the rich artistic treasures of Florence and all courses incorporate excursions to local sites. The program welcomes not only history of art and Italian studies majors but also non-majors interested in exploring Italy's artistic history, language and culture.
CET, Vanderbilt University and the Università degli
Studi di Firenze By
joining forces to create the CET Florence program,
Vanderbilt University and CET Academic Programs bring to the field new
standards in Italy study abroad program academics and design. With CET's programming expertise and Vanderbilt's
renowned academics, CET Florence offers a
serious alternative to the many larger programs in Florence. With its
special focus on the history of art and Italian studies, it also offers
a unique lens through which to view Italy's inspiring history and
culture.
The CET Florence program is also affiliated with the Centro di Cultura per Stranieri of the University of Florence (Università degli
Studi di Firenze). Many of the Florence program's faculty come from the Università degli
Studi di Firenze and students who participate in the program receive a transcript from the Università degli
Studi di Firenze.
Fall and Spring Terms Fall and spring terms are open to students of all Italian language levels. Students begin their semester with two weeks of intensive Italian language. Beginning in the third week, language classes continue but with lower intensity, and students begin their area studies courses. In total, beginning
and advanced beginning language students take 60 contact hours of
Italian language. Students at intermediate levels and above take 45 contact hours
of Italian language.
In addition to Italian language, all students take four area studies courses, each meeting for 45 contact hours.* For the first of these courses, students select one of the program's two core courses, Imagery and Public Space in Italy or Italian Cultural History, each of which includes a traveling seminar. The other three area studies courses are electives of the student's choice. Click here for more information about courses and all course syllabi.
Sample Schedule 1
Advanced Beginning Italian (60 hours)
Imagery and Public Space in Italy--includes a traveling seminar (45 hours)
Medieval Art and Architecture in Tuscany (45 hours)
The Medici: History and Legend of an Italian Dynasty (45 hours)
Etruscan and Roman Art and Architecture (45 hours)
Sample Schedule 2
Intermediate Italian (45 hours)
Italian Cultural History--includes a traveling seminar (45 hours)
Renaissance Art and Architecture (45 hours)
Italian and European Politics (45 hours)
The European Banking System (45 hours)
*The exception is Plein Aire Painting and Drawing from Sculpture which, as a studio art course, meets for 90 contact hours.
Summer Term The summer term is open to beginning and intermediate Italian language students only. Students that have
completed four or more semesters of Italian should apply to either CET Siena or CET Sicilyinstead.
Florence summer students take Italian language for 28 contact hours. In addition, they take two area studies courses. Each area studies course meets for 42 contact hours.* For the first of these courses, students select one of the program's two core courses, Imagery and Public Space in Italy or Italian Cultural History, each of which includes a traveling seminar. The other area studies course is an elective of the student's choice. Click here for more information about courses and all course syllabi.
Sample Schedule 1
Beginning Italian (28 hours)
Imagery and Public Space in Italy--includes a traveling seminar (42 hours)
Renaissance Art and Architecture (42 hours)
Sample Schedule 2
Intermediate Low Italian (28 hours)
Italian Cultural History--includes a traveling seminar (42 hours)
Italian and European Politics (42 hours)
*The exception is Plein Aire Painting and Drawing from Sculpture which, as a studio art course, meets for 90 contact hours.
Credit and Transcripts Upon
written request, CET and the Università degli
Studi di Firenze issue official
transcripts listing each course taken and the number of hours attended.
Credit for the program must be requested from the student's home
institution and will be granted at the institution's discretion. CET
students generally receive a full semester's worth of credit for their
semester abroad. Click here for more information about CET's transcripts and credit recommendation system.
Advisory Board The CET History of Art & Italian Studies in Florence Advisory Board plays a significant role in helping CET develop its program in Florence. The
Board offers expertise in curriculum design and the
maintenance of high academic standards. Current Advisory Board members, all of whom are based at Vanderbilt University, are:
Andrea Mirabile Director of Italian Language Program; Director of Undergraduate Studies
Robert Mode Associate Professor, History of Art
Sheri F. Shaneyfelt Senior Lecturer, History of Art; Director of Undergraduate Studies
Mel Ziegler Professor of Art; Chair of the Department of Art
Ara Pachmayer Director, Study Abroad Programs
1920 N Street, NW, Suite 200 - Washington, DC 20036 - (800) 225-4262 - cet@academic-travel.com
