Courses

Castello Sonnino offers undergraduate and graduate programs, adult and continuing education courses, from a wide range of disciplines on many topics. Agriculture and Viticulture disciplines are unique to the fully functioning family-run operation.  We offer scholars, educators and students the opportunity to experience living history as a learning tool and a means to sustain a resilient future also offering hands on experience.

 

Castello Sonnino offers courses with a network of faculty from different disciplines, local experts and entrepreneurs.  We also provide the opportunity to host International faculty with their own students whereby you can to customize your course needs with our flexible model as well and include guest lecturers from our vast network for your program and use of our campus and services.  Our Sonnino Working Group is a scholars think tank for inspiration and International research projects.

GLOBAL CHANGE

Climate Change, Environmental Systems, Sustainable Agriculture, Anthropology, Policy and Management, Evolutionary Economics, Environmental Resilience and Sustainability.

ITALIAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Italian History, Political Life in Italy, World Wars (access to Sidney Sonnino unique archive), Ancient Tuscany, Etruscans and Romans, Bishops, Merchants, Pilgrims, Via Francigena, Mezzadria, Italian Architecture and Sustainable Tourism, Lifestyle, Culture, Language.

FOOD SYSTEMS

Food Health, Food studies, Food Design, Culinary Tourism, Wine Making, Family Business Economics, Policy and Management.

Courses 2023

Course Description: CGEE partners with Castello Sonnino International, a historical farm and winery that produces quality wines, olive oils and antique grains. Castello Sonnino sits on 150 hectares, in the heart of Montespertoli, the smallest Chianti sub-region just 20 kilometers southwest of Florence, Italy. Montespertoli......

Overview WHY STUDY FOOD SECURITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION? Examine the intersecting issues of food security, health, and sustainable development while exploring the rich and varied culinary traditions of Tuscany and Italy. While on the program you will live at Castello Sonnino, an historic estate......

Overview WHY STUDY FOOD SECURITY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION? Conflicts, climate crises, migration, the agro-industrial food complex, and the pandemic—all are impacting food security around the globe. This program explores how governments and civil society organizations are responding to the pressing challenge to create a food......

Courses 2022

This program will be led by Dr. Donna Senese. This experiential seminar explores the historic and contemporary connections between local food and wine and the tourism industry in the rural countryside of Tuscany. Within a framework of sustainability students participate in local food and wine production......

WHY STUDY FOOD SECURITY IN ITALY? Examine the intersecting issues of food security, health, and sustainable development while exploring the rich and varied culinary traditions of Tuscany and Italy. While on the program you will live at Castello Sonnino, an historic estate dating back to......

Courses 2020

Courses 2019

Courses 2018

Block 4: EV128 Introduction to Global Climate Change Known for its ancient monuments, delectable cuisine, and world-class vineyards, Italy faces a unique set of challenges tied to modern-day climate change. In this variation on the popular on-campus “EV128: Introduction to Global Climate Change” course, we will......

Program Overview In much of the world, industrial food systems provide plentiful and relatively cheap food, a convenience that comes with steep environmental and social costs. HECUA’s exploration of culinary culture and food production in Italy offers an alternative, taking students behind the scenes at......

Past Courses

Unpack the Slow Food movement’s motto of “good, clean, and fair” in its Italian birthplace. Explore how the business of food affects the health and wealth of farmers, workers, families, and communities. Program Structure Across the semester, classroom seminars provide context for field speakers and......

Live and study at the intersection of food politics, sustainability, and culture on a working farm in Tuscany. Italy is the birthplace of the Slow Food movement. Unpack the movement’s motto of “good, clean, and fair food” on the farm and with producers, processors, food......

TUSCANY, Italy GEOGRAPHY May 28-June 25, 2016 *Program pending approval and subject to change What you will learn During this field study, we will spend four weeks abroad in “the green heart” of Italy, living and studying in the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche......