Arcadia University: Summer Study Abroad in Florence, Italy

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence

Term: Summer 
Dates: Early June-mid-July

Description: As befits a location that sits amid such artistic magnificence, the Accademia offers internationally acclaimed programs in design and studio art, as well as a wide range of courses in Italian language, history, and culture. During the summer, you'll be able to choose from 3 program options and will earn between three and seven credits, depending on the program you choose to follow. You can count on your courses taking advantage of the rich cultural and historical treasures of Florence as well as integrating class time with visits to museums, galleries, and design studios.

The options are:

- Italian Language and Culture in Florence
- Intensive Fashion Design in Florence
- Design in Italy, Florence

Credits

Intensive Language and Culture: 3-7 credits
Intensive Fashion Design: 6 credits
Design in Italy: 6 credits

Admission Requirements
GPA Requirements: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

You must be in good academic standing and not on disciplinary probation. You need to submit a complete application including a transcript, letter of recommendation, and an advisor's form before your application will be considered.

Highlights: Program Options

I. Italian Language and Culture in Florence

You do not need to have proficiency in Italian language to attend the Accademia. Several courses are offered in English. The balance of courses, in particular in fashion and design, are taught in Italian, although it's important to note that this will not prohibit enrollment in beginning-level courses if you don't speak Italian. Please contact Chris Callas, program manager, at callasc@arcadia.edu, for more information.

II. Fashion Design in Florence

This course aims to introduce the student to the practical aspects of the fashion design profession. The course focuses on teaching students what is needed to design a stylistically-consistent collection and developing individual creativity in the production of articles of clothing, and finally, designing various clothing collections. Many disciplines meet in this course: history of costume and the search for sources of inspiration in different ages, artistic and cultural movements, populations and cultures; fashion illustration in the practice of drawing of fashion collections; pattern design in the practical production of clothing articles presented by the students; and the study of fabrics and prints for various collections. Students are encouraged to develop their own personal style through the use of various color techniques.

III. Design in Italy, Florence

This option consists of three separate courses taken together for a total of 6 semester hours of credit. The courses are detailed below.

History of Italian Design Part I: Survey (1.5 credits)
This course follows the development of Italian design from its origins to the present day. The course enables students to reach a close understanding of the main lines of development and of major products, designers, studios and production firms. Names considered include Olivetti, Castiglioni, and Santachiara. The Italian contribution is defined against the history of design in general and is framed within over a century of Italian socio-economic history. The course is in English but attention is given to Italian terminology.

History of Italian Design, Part II: Major figures in Italian architecture and design (1.5 credits)
This course approaches design through monographic studies of selected figures in architectural and design history. Those treated range from such figures as Leon Battista Alberti and Leonardo da Vinci, to Sottsass, Gregotti, Piano, and Pininfarina. By close examination of notable innovators in design and architecture in terms of theory and objects, students reflect upon the history of design, the creative and working process, and other issues (such as the definition of design, and the role of the market).

Design Laboratory: the Domestic Object (3 credits)
This intensive course is dedicated to the design of one unit of furniture, furnishing accessory, or fixture. Each student chooses from one or more themes, and may carry out one additional project. The final project package must include materials, color schemes, etc., an analysis of the object's aesthetic role and function in a domestic context, and the executive design. At least three site visits are included in the course and may include the following venues: Carrara (marble quarrying and finishing); Colle Val d'Elsa (crystal workshops); Volterra (alabaster workshops); Sesto Fiorentino (Pozzi Ginori, industrial ceramics, dishware and sanitary); Maranello (Ferrari factory and museum); Pontedera (Piaggio, FIAT group, motor scooter factory and museum); Pistoia (Ansaldo Breda, train carriage and bus factory); Impruneta (terracotta tiles); Faenza (ceramic tiles); Poggibonsi or Quarrrata (kitchen unit production); Santa Croce Valdarno (leather work); Florence or Arezzo (wood)

Cost in US$: Inquire about specific cost.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Scholarships are Available.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript
• Written Application