Italy: Architecture & Art History – Rome and Florence, Italy

Man’s history may be recorded in the textbooks, but the depth and truth of his journey is better read in the art, edifices, and epochs of his age. Journey through Italy this summer in an exciting course that explores the forces that nurtured her art, shaped her architecture, and gave order to her cities. Beginning in Rome, the group will travel to Ostia, Florence, and Siena, all the while fully immersed in Italian culture.

Notable Attractions and Excursions:

• Travel through Rome, Florence, and Siena
• Marvel at the works of artists such as Michelangelo and Bernini
• Navigate through Florence’s Duomo Museum and the Uffizi and Accademia galleries
• Experience architectural and artistic wonders such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Forum

The Site

From Rome, the group will travel to Ostia and through scenic Tuscany to Florence, where they will stay in a beautifully restored 18th century palazzo in the historic center of the city. During their stay in Florence, students will take a day trip to explore the medieval city of Siena. After experiencing the glories of Florence, the program returns to Rome via Assisi for the final portion of the course.

The Course

This course will examine the shaping of the Italian city-state by tracing the history of Imperial Rome through its fall to Christendom. Students will study a selection of articles and essays on history, architecture, and government. In these works, students will discover the political forces and philosophies that directed the great building programs of antiquity and that moved the soul of the city from the cathedral to the capital. The primary "text" will be the buildings themselves, both religious and civic, the art museums, the fountains, frescoes, and statues, and the arrangement of the cities—their palazzos and public spaces.

While in Italy, students will visit the most significant architecture of the western world. In Rome, there are the Roman ruins—the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Forum—the lovely fountains throughout the city, the art of the Vatican, the newly opened National Museum, and the Roman Museum of Modern Art. While exploring the narrow streets of beautiful Florence, students will experience the incomparable Renaissance works in the Uffizi and Academia galleries, the Duomo, the churches, and other unforgettable sites. The course itself is based on walks, offering close examination of the artistic works and architectural wonders that comprise the curriculum. Students will find this experience to be rigorous but refreshing, as the skills of observation and analysis will make each moment afoot a moment of significant intellectual as well as emotional engagement. The Duke TIP Field Study in Italy is not simply a tour, but an academically rigorous course. Applicants must be willing to embrace and enjoy the unique aspects of an authentic Italian cultural experience. Duke TIP reserves the right to alter the itinerary as necessary.

A Typical Day

The Duke TIP Field Study in Italy is always on the move. After breakfast the group will set out to visit the various sites of the day until early afternoon. Students will spend their mornings visiting galleries and taking excursions, reserving their afternoons for reading, journal writing, and drawing. Lunch will be scheduled into the daily itinerary and will be at the expense of the student. Readings for the course will include relevant essays and poems on art and the topics of history, philosophy, and politics as they relate to art and architecture. In addition, students will keep a journal to explore their own discoveries and struggle with their own perceptions. While academics are the priority on this trip, there is also time for the group to explore scenic neighborhoods, local shops, and restaurants.

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