Academic Focus
The Italian Language & Culture program in the summer offers a rich selection of courses allows you to gain special insight into the worlds of art, culture and society, while developing your Italian language skills. The diversity of this curriculum allows you the flexibility to choose courses that best meet your individual academic and personal needs.
This program gives you a unique opportunity to explore the culture and society of modern Italy in an active way: up close, hands-on, and fully immersed in a richly-equipped learning environment designed to deliver an unforgettable study abroad experience. CEA offers courses that allow you to engage face-to-face with the customs and people of present-day Italy, in ways that would be otherwise be impossible. The program is driven by a sequence of onsite activities, projects and team tasks that help you learn by doing.
While not a required component of this program, Italian language is offered in both sessions with a special focus offered during the July session. Language courses focus on oral comprehension and expression, listening comprehension and grammar components appropriate to your language level. Students studying during the July session have the opportunity not only to study Italian at the High Intermediate or Advanced level but also to take an additional three-credit language course focused on conversation.
The ideal location of the CEA GlobalCampus in Florence, Italy, also helps frame the curriculum of this program. This means that all elective courses are designed to make use of Florence as the "classroom", presenting you with constant opportunities to actively develop your language skills and apply your understanding of Italian culture at its heart.
All language courses and electives meet for a total of 45 contact hours and are generally worth 3 credits in the US semester system. Students enrolled in the 1 course option will earn 3 credits whereas students in the 2 course option will earn 6 credits. However, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how much credit will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
Classes typically meet Monday through Thursday for 2 ½ or 3 hours each session although study trips and other required fieldwork may occur on Fridays. Classes are offered at various times throughout the day. Class timetables will be released approximately 3 months before the program closure date, and your final course schedule will be posted to your MyCEA Account around two weeks before the program start date.
Course Registration
Students must register for courses prior to departure for Florence. A course preference form will be posted to your MyCEA Account when course timetables are released. This form should be completed upon your acceptance to the program but no later than the program closure date. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so it is in your best interest to submit your course preference form as soon as possible.
Course preferences for electives are considered final when submitted to CEA. For language courses, you will indicate an estimated level on your course preference form, but you will take a language placement exam onsite. Registration for your language course will then be adjusted as necessary to coincide with the results of your exam. To aid in the registration process, it is in your best interest to have courses, including alternates, approved by your academic advisor prior to submitting your course preference form.
