Italy Today: Ancient Glories, Modern Challenges
Winter Quarter Study Abroad Program (January 4 - March 11, 2016)
Italy is a model case for understanding how a rich, and in many ways conservative society faces the many challenges of our global era. Protective of its industry and culture, the twin forces of globalization and Europeanization have tested Italy’s willingness and ability to adapt to the fast changing realities oftoday’s interconnected global economy and society.
Italy’s slow food movement, for instance, provides a fascinating example of the resilience of Italian culture, but also its reluctance to adapt to modern influences. How is Italy’s deep-rooted society and sense of history both a bedrock of stability and a bulwark to needed change as the country moves into the 21st century? These themes of historical legacy and contemporary challenges form the framework for this new UW Sociology-European Studies/Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies program inRome.
Rome offers a plethora of attractions for students. We will explore ancient and contemporary Rome; the role played by city-states in shaping modern Italy; the influence the Vatican has on Italian society and politics; the current political and economic reality faced by the “Bel Paese” (the beautiful country);and the north versus south socioeconomic divide. The program also includes overnight excursions to Florence, Naples and Venice!
Course Details
The program consists of three courses, taught by UW Sociology Professor Dr. Edgar Kiser, for a total of 15 UW credits: “Politics and Society in Contemporary Italy” (Sociology 401/JSIS 488); “Economy and Society in Contemporary Italy” (Sociology 401/JSIS 488); “Italian Culture” (Sociology 401/JSIS488).
Program open to all UW undergraduates. No language or other prerequisites.