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Global Cities

SUMMER TERM IN FLORENCE

Go Beyond in Florence, Italy

Florence is a vibrant, awe-inspiring, and culturally rich Global City. Its history as the "Cradle of the Renaissance" remains readily accessible through its art and architecture, and with an ever-growing immigrant population, Florence is very much a multicultural city. You can explore the city's diversity by taking a Migrantour or visiting Vivi Market to find authentic foods and ingredients from Asia, Latin America, and other regions.

Learn more about Florence with our Florence City Guide.

This six-week summer program gives you insight into the significant ways in which Florence has been imagined, invented, and transformed by globalization. Earn 6-9 credits.

Arrival
  |  
May 19, 2023
Departure
  |  
July 1, 2023
Application Deadline:  
March 1, 2023
Program Fee:  
$7,345
All prices, dates, and deadlines are subject to change.

The CAPA Florence Summer Experience

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Experience

Explore the diversity of cosmopolitan Florence with our My Global City events: walk through secret rooms at Palazzo Vecchio, learn to cook an Italian specialty for dinner, or go for a hike in the Tuscan hills. Florence City Guide.
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live

Live like a Florentine and stay in a shared apartment or opt for a homestay. Note: homestays incur a supplementary fee and include daily breakfast and dinnerPlus, CAPA offers students Health & Wellness support.
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learn

Choose from content courses taught in English or enhance your cultural experience by taking Italian language courses.
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volunteer

During your volunteer work, you'll help your host community and acquire real-world professional skills. This is a great way to enhance your classroom experience and your resume!

CAPA Florence Program Inclusions

 

CAPA program fees are comprehensive and include tuition, housing, excursions, My Global City events and activities, 24/7 emergency support, insurance, and more!

Courses & Credit

Earn 6-9 credits per term. Credits are issued by State University of New York (SUNY) Oswego.

Housing

You can opt to live in a shared apartment or a homestay (with your own room and two meals a day), all within commuting distance to the CAPA center. Homestays incur a supplementary fee.

Local Transit Pass

A Florence bus pass is included.

Excursions & Activities

Enjoy full-day excursions to Siena, famous for its art, history and Palio horse race, and to the walled town of San Gimignano, with its 14 medieval towers (COVID-19 restrictions permitting). Social events and program activities include an arrival lunch and a farewell dinner. 

Volunteer

Participate in a volunteer opportunity. Help your host community and gain valuable skills. 

My Global City

CAPA-led events include a walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for stunning views over the city of Florence and a hike in the nearby hills, followed by dinner in one of the best pizzerias in town. Other activities, often self-guided, reflect what’s going on in the city at the time and may include a walking tour to the most important markets of Florence, tasting typical Italian snacks, a night at the opera, or attending soccer match at the Florence Stadium.

Comprehensive, 24/7 Support

CAPA provides comprehensive support services for students to utilize during their time in Florence. The team is available throughout the duration of the program to assist and support students 24/7 with any emergency situations. Students will also have access to the Guardian study abroad safety app which includes emergency assistance and other support resources. LEARN MORE

Insurance

As a student on our program, you’ll receive our medical, travel, and accident insurance.

Safety, Health & Wellness 

CAPA is committed to the health and wellness of our students while they are studying abroad in Florence. We maintain a comprehensive health and safety plan to ensure a safe and productive learning experience, and provide a variety of health and wellness tools and resources. LEARN MORE

Program eligibility requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate student in the United States. (Students enrolled in an institution in Canada or Mexico are eligible if the home institution accepts a US transcript and credits)
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale)*
  • Be the equivalent of at least a 2nd-semester Sophomore (strongly recommended)
  • Submit your completed application along with supporting documents and your deposit by the program deadline
  • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with your home institution
*Students with a GPA below the requirement may be admitted on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us below for details or chat with an Admissions Advisor today.

Florence Global Cities Courses

CAPA Florence Center offerings include courses in psychology, business, marketing, art, history, Italian studies, urban studies, and more. CAPA’s Student Learning and Development Outcomes: Globalization, Diversity, Social Dynamics, Urban Environments, and Personal & Professional Development are incorporating into all aspects of coursework, experiential activities such as internships and field studies, and other program details such as housing and navigating the city.

A Cultural History of Organized Crime: Italian vs. American Mafia  

This course will examine the reasons why the socio-criminal phenomenon of the Mafia continues to self-reproduce after more than a century. Students will conduct a comparative study between the two societies where the Mafia took roots, specifically the Italian Mafia versus the American Mafia; explore the history of the Mafia from three main perspectives: historical, political, and sociological; and be able to distinguish clearly between the interpretation of the mafia emerging from fiction books and movies, and the real representation of this socio-criminal phenomenon.

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FLOR HIST 3326

  • Globally Networked Learning
Abnormal Psychology  

This course will introduce the psychological, biological, and experiential factors thought to influence the symptoms, etiology, course/prognosis, and treatment of mental disorders in adults. Students will develop an understanding of the rationale for the diagnostic criteria and other clinical signs accompanying common DSM-5 disorders; causal and maintenance factors of disorders; and examples of empirically supported treatments. 

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FLOR PSYC 3361

Analyzing and Exploring the Global City: Florence  

This course will introduce the impact of globalization on Florence. Using the city as a research field, students will explore the complex dynamics that shape the identity of Florence by applying a critical perspective on the notion of globalization, and by analyzing the socio-cultural forces at play both historically and presently; observe the cultural variability in Florence; discuss the relativity of cultural values; and investigate how the multicultural aspect of Florence’s identity has been discursively constructed, and by which social actors.

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FLOR URBS 3345

  • Globally Networked Learning
Beginner Italian Language 1  

This course, designed for students with no prior knowledge of the Italian language, will focus on basic Italian language skills necessary to communicate clear messages in everyday life. Students will develop an understanding of the fundamental knowledge of grammar, phonetics, morphology, and syntax using a functional-situational approach where lessons will focus on real situation exercises, grammar drills, consolidation of material, and a deepening of concepts through readings, conversations, role playing games, and listening exercises to correct pronunciation.

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FLOR ITAL 1101

Beginner Italian Language 2  

This is an intensive 65-hour course, designed for students who have already taken one semester of Italian language. Students will refine previously acquired linguistic skills, analyze the usage of new grammar structures, and continue to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing simple everyday Italian in different situations. Students will engage with authentic materials, such as ads, brochures, videos, and songs to develop an understanding of contemporary Italian language and culture, and will also have opportunities to develop language skills outside of the classroom, through direct, guided experiences in locations around the city.

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FLOR ITAL 1102

Beginning Composition Drawing  

This course will introduce students to fundamental approaches, techniques, tools, and mediums of drawing. Students will focus on various aspects of Florence as subject matter; enrich studio work with encounters with Florentine artists and through field studies; increase their visual awareness and perception; explore their creative potential and ability to make visual statements, while enjoying the challenge of drawing; and visually interpret examples of the impact of globalization in the urban environment through their artwork.

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FLOR ARTS 1103

  • Globally Networked Learning
Beginning Oil Painting  

This course will introduce students to the materials and techniques of the versatile medium of oil painting within the framework of Florence. Students will focus on various aspects of Florence as subject matter; enrich studio work with encounters with Florentine artists and through field studies; increase their visual awareness and perception; explore their creative potential and ability to make visual statements, while enjoying the challenge of painting; and visually interpret examples of the impact of globalization in the urban environment through their artwork.

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FLOR ARTS 1106

Beginning Watercolor  

This course will introduce students to the materials and techniques of the unpredictable medium of watercolor painting within the framework of Florence. Students will focus on various aspects of Florence as subject matter; enrich studio work with encounters with Florentine artists and through field studies; increase their visual awareness and perception; explore their creative potential and ability to make visual statements, while enjoying the challenge of painting; and visually interpret examples of the impact of globalization in the urban environment through their artwork.

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FLOR ARTS 1104

Cross Cultural Psychology  

This course will explore the field of cross-cultural psychology through a focus on Italy and its inhabitants. Students will discuss aspects of cross-cultural analysis from the field of cross-cultural psychology, including cultural influence on human behavior, attitude, values, communication, and societal organization; examine topics of ethnocentrism, individual vs. collective societies, plural societies, cultural views on mental health, and intercultural communication; and investigate methodical issues of cross-cultural research, with the opportunity to be participant-observers of their own experiences in Italy, including through field work.

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FLOR PSYC 3320

Food, Culture & Lifestyle under the Tuscan Sky  

This course will direct students to reflect about their own relationship with food. Starting from a multi-disciplinary approach, that involves such fields as sociology, history, anthropology and nutrition, students will explore new aspects of their life in Italy directly related to health, education and everyday life. The final aim of this course is to provide an insightful, life-changing experience, which leads students to develop healthier lifestyles (Personal Development Outcome), comparing their culture with Italian culture (Diversity Outcome) and its distinct history and traditions related to food (Urban Environment Outcome).

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FLOR ANTH 3340

Interculture and Migration  

This course will explore the complexities of cultural identity and migration, and the impact they have on intercultural conflict and cooperation. There will be a particular focus on migration in Italy and on the marginalized communities of contemporary Italy, such as migrants, their Italian-born non-citizen children, and the Roma. We will examine the fluidity of cultural boundaries across time and space, and how ingroup and outgroup dynamics contribute to the manufacturing of fear and prejudice among populations. During their semester abroad, students will reflect on the various elements that define a culture while gaining an increased understanding of how culture shapes individuals and how our cultural identities interact in shared social spaces such as the piazze of Florence. 

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FLOR SOCY/COMM 3309

  • Globally Networked Learning
Intermediate Italian Language 1  

This is an intensive 65-hour course, designed for students who have already completed two semesters of Italian language. Students will continue to develop basic Italian language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday situations, focusing on pronunciation, grammar and communicative functions, and vocabulary; and explore contemporary Italian language and culture by engaging with authentic materials such as ads, brochures, videos, songs, magazine articles, films, and a short book. Students should expect to complete a diagnostic test on the first meeting, based on grammar structures covered in previous Italian courses, which will help the instructor ascertain the general level of language proficiency of the class.

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FLOR ITAL 2201

Intermediate Italian Language 2  

This is an intensive 65-hour course, designed for students who have already completed three semesters of Italian language. Students will continue to develop basic Italian language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday situations, but at a higher level, focusing on pronunciation, grammar and communicative functions, and vocabulary; and explore contemporary Italian language and culture by engaging with authentic materials such as ads, brochures, videos, songs, magazine articles, films, and a short book. Students should expect to complete a diagnostic test on the first meeting, based on grammar structures covered in previous Italian courses, which will help the instructor ascertain the general level of language proficiency of the class.

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FLOR ITAL 2202

International Economics  

This course will explore key economic issues in the global business environment. Students will develop an understanding of how global businesses are impacted by real world developments in economics, politics, and finance; critically examine the global economic landscape with an emphasis on the interaction between international economics and business through discussions of current economic and political development; and explore topics such as globalization, country differences, cross-border trade and investment, the global monetary system, and competing in a global marketplace.

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FLOR BUSN 3374

  • Globally Networked Learning
Renaissance Art History  

This course will introduce a broad range of painting, sculpture, and architecture in Florence from the great projects of the Middle Ages that defined the religious and political centers of the city, with a special focus on major monuments of the Renaissance period. Students will examine issues of social, political, and economic context, as well their function, which was integral to artistic production of the period; conduct related scholarly research; deepen their appreciation of Renaissance civilization; and analyze the interrelationship between people’s creative achievements and their society.

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FLOR ARTH 3311

  • Globally Networked Learning
Writing the City: Florence  

This course will introduce creative writing in relation to the city and the particular challenges of writing about place. Students will examine how various subjects such as the river, urban spaces, solitude, ethnicity, particular boroughs, and characters (both fictional and real) function in Florence narratives; develop an understanding of the role of memory and experience in literary psycho-geographical accounts of the metropolis; utilize their observations of Florence to practice creative writing, and investigate the potential of place within the narrative of various genres.

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FLOR CWRT 3317

  • Writing Intensive
  • Globally Networked Learning

The Experience of a Lifetime Awaits

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