Alison C. Hall
Program Director
achall@hollins.edu
(540) 362-6522
Nancy Dahlstrom
Professor, Chair, Art ndahlstrom@hollins.edu
(540) 362-6015
Hollins University
P.O. Box 9583
Roanoke, VA 24020-1583
Fax: (540) 362-6694
Todi is a gracious medieval city with antique origins in the heart of the Umbrian valley halfway between Rome and Florence. It stands upon a hilltop, overlooking the Tevere River. The bustling piazza, where residents do their daily shopping and take their morning coffee, is the hub of the city's civil, economic, and social life. Filled with open-air cafés and art, antique, and clothing stores, the piazza is a great meeting place for residents and tourists alike. Todi offers the values of family, peace, and comfort. Its society is one of slow rhythms, which allow for reflection and the development of sincere and profound relationships. Todi is the perfect place to study Italian art and culture and to practice speaking Italian every day. For more information, visit www.bellaumbria.net/Todi/home_eng.htm.
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Housing is located within the medieval walls of Todi. Students live in shared apartments that are a short walk from the piazza and supermarket. One of the program's goals is to allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the society of Todi, participating in the culture by buying their groceries daily, ordering breakfast and meeting their Italian neighbors. Apartments are equipped with a kitchen, bed linens, and towels. Clothing and linens are washed weekly. Students may request roommates.
We will explore ideas of cultural history and see masterpieces of art and cathedrals as we travel for two days to Rome, spend two nights in Florence, and travel to Assisi, Arezzo, and Perugia. We will travel via public transportation. Museum entry fees and transportation by bus and train are included.
The program consists of two four-credit classes (course descriptions):
Each day during the week you will spend mornings in the plein air painting and drawing the landscape around Todi. Various readings will explore ideas of cultural history and the landscape in art, and how the modern world is transforming landscapes. Your work will include a small portfolio of personal work and a sketchbook done from our museum visits each week.
After lunch you will be in language classes taught by native speakers at the Language Institute of Todi. Scheduled cultural activities enable you to practice your Italian. As your language skills progress you will be able to use Italian as you meet with Enzo Zoccoli, a native of Todi, to restore paintings from the 1400s to the 1800s inside a working bottega of restoration.
You will also be exploring the medieval, Etruscan, and Tuderti history of Todi with Federico Spiganti, a native who undertakes major archeological digs, conducts spelunking expeditions of the underground Roman water systems, and catalogs ancient fragments from pre-Christian churches in and around the town. Included are walking tours and hands-on activities with ancient artifacts.
You will be introduced to hand-building ceramics using Etruscan methods of firing in Buonfiglio's working studio, seeing what it means to be a modern-day artist in a country rich in tradition.
You will meet with local historians to discuss early Italian history, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, and post war Italy. Students will explore the archive of Todi, speak with women who were part of the feminist revolution, and enjoy lectures on Etruscan and Roman history by Carlo Zoccoli, as well as lectures on feminism in Italy by Luana Mariani, longtime educator and cultural historian.
Students earn eight college credits. The program is open to all female college students, 18 years of age or older with a 2.5 GPA, and nontraditional students who choose to attend for credit or personal enrichment. Students should verify with their home institution that credits are transferable. Courses count toward graduation, but not toward Hollins art major or language requirements. Students must apply for "special student status" through admissions if college transfer credits are needed. Contact the Hollins Office of Admissions for more information.
The total fee of $7,224 includes tuition, language instruction, supplemental activities, accommodations in student-shared apartments, trips to Assisi, Florence, Perugia, Arezzo; two overnight accommodations in Florence; and three-day trips to Rome. It does not include round-trip airfare, painting/drawing supplies, most meals, cell phones, and personal independent excursions, or ISIC travel card (PDF) fee.
The Summer Study Abroad in Todi, Italy program will begin accepting applications for Summer 2013 in April 2012, to participate in the payment plan and early acceptance program please take note of the following deadlines.
Return forms to Alison C. Hall, Hollins University, P. O. Box 9583, Roanoke, VA 24020-1583, to Alison’s office in the Visual Arts Center (VAC 211) or to the Visual Arts Center Office (VAC 201).
We accept major credit cards or checks payable to Hollins University. If there are any questions, please call Melanie Moses at (540) 362-6518.
Return forms to Alison C. Hall, Hollins University, P. O. Box 9583, Roanoke, VA 24020-1583, to Alison’s office in the Visual Arts Center (VAC 211) or to the Visual Arts Center Office (VAC 201).