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 in central Italy. Our experiential learning will be focused around the themes of “Rural sustainability in a globalizing world” and the “Geography of food and agriculture.” In addition to classroom time, the class will engage in numerous field excursions to production plots, processing facilities, and tourist sites. In addition, there will be regular, chaperoned excursions to nearby markets, townships, and farms to see additional examples of local, sustainable production and consumption in practice. This course will give students the opportunity to gain invaluable “real life” experience with and exposure to rural communities facing changes to lifestyle, livelihood, economy, and environment. Students will learn about challenges to and successes in sustainability in an increasingly globalizing world. Students will gain experience navigating an unfamiliar culture, economy, and environment and will bring home more than university credit. They will return to Texas State University with a greater appreciation of other cultures and an increased capacity to handle new and unexpected situations.
The Location
Italy is a dream destination. The Italian museums are bursting with the genius of Italy’s finest sons: Raffaello, Michelangelo, Tiziano, and Canova. Contemporary architects are still inspired by ancient Italian buildings and squares. Italian cities are veritable living museums. Central Italy is characterized by its undulating hills, greeen landscape, and its breathtaking midieval hilltop towns. According to UNESCO, the United Nations’ cultural branch, two-thirds of the world’s historical artistic heritage is in Italy. In this program, students will be living in and touring the towns and villages that comprise the classic Italian countryside. Towns and villages to be visited include: Siena, Florence, Norcia, Montepulciano, Montespertoli, San Gimignano, and more Program Criteria
Students must complete the required online application, a brief interview with the program leader, and be officially admitted to the program.
Program Dates
Departure from the USA: May 28, 2016
First day of classes in Italy: May 30, 2016
Last day of classes in Italy: June 24, 2016
Departure from Italy: June 25, 2016
Course Options
GEO 4310 Regional Field Studies*
GEO 4390 Independent Study*
GEO 5308 Regional Field Studies*
GEO 5390 Independent Study*
GEO 7308 Advanced Regional Field Studies*
GEO 7390 Independent Study*
*May be repeated once for additional credit
Apply the course
Program Terms: Summer
Restrictions: TXSTATE applicants only
Program Type: Faculty-Led
Language of Instruction: English
Minimum Texas State GPA: 2
Academic Field: Geography
Undergraduate/Graduate: Graduate, Undergraduate
Colleen C. Hiner, PhD
Assistant Professor Department of Geography
