Italy Study Abroad Course Syllabus
Spring 2011(3/1/11-3/10/11)
Professors:
Dr. Bonnie Oliver
Phone: 407-582-2214
Office: East Campus bldg. 7-158 Mail code 3-29
Boliver@valenciacollege.edu
Dr. Eileen Pérez
Phone: 407-582-1236
Office: West Campus mail code 4-3
eperez76@valenciacollege.edu
Welcome! We look forward to sharing with you the excitement of traveling to Italy
where we will explore the art, history, culture, architecture, economy and business
environment of that beautiful country. We will take walking tours of famous tourist
venues and attend educational seminars/presentations.
Course Information:
This course receives 1 letter-grade credit. Students will explore the Italian cultural
and business climate and address some of the economic issues of Italy’s economic
integration into the European Union. Students will also explore the relevance of
chemistry in the visual arts. To enhance this learning experience, students will be
required to read selected materials before traveling. In addition, students will be
expected to participate in specific discussions related to daily activities, and write a
post trip reflective essay.
Prerequisite:
Current honor’s student at Valencia College
Course Work and Components:
 Attend at least three mandatory pre-trip meetings and one post trip meeting
 Read materials assigned prior to the trip and complete required related home
work. Some of the topics assigned will include:
o Concepts on Italian culture
o Economic integration and development
o Fundamental chemistry principles related to art and architecture
restoration
 Participation in reflective meetings on the evening of:
o European Union seminar
o Vodafone field trip
o Laboratorio Scientific dell’Opificio
 Participate in walking tours throughout the city
 Write a post trip reflective essay
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Course Materials and Schedule:
All reading materials and detailed schedule will be posted in Blackboard, which is an
Internet Course Management program. In addition, home work and essay will be
submitted via Blackboard. To access Blackboard:
1. Launch an Internet browser, and enter the college’s url: http://valenciacc.edu/
2. Click on “Quick Links”
3. Select “Online Courses”
4. Click on Blackboard.
5. Enter your username and password (same as the ones you use for Atlas).
6. Click on this course’s hotlink.
Valencia Student Core Competencies:
Valencia College strives to develop well-educated and well-prepared individuals.
This course will provide ample opportunities to work on all of Valencia Student Core
Competencies (Refer to the Valencia Catalog), which are: THINK, COMMUNICATE,
VALUE, AND ACT.
Passports:
Passports must be obtained for international travel.
Assessment:
Final grades will be determined based on the following criteria:
Attendance to pre-trip meetings
10%
Reading materials and homework
30%
Participation in reflective meetings 30%
Post trip reflective essay
30%
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
=
=
=
=
=
90
80
70
60
0
-
100
89
79
69
59
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LEARNING ACTIVITIES & METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
Date
March, 2012
March, 2012
March, 2012
March, 2012
Location
Venice
Learning Activities
Instructional Format
Reviewing reading
material on economic
integration and
development.
Dr. Oliver will instruct the
students to review their
reading material on
economic integration and
development as it pertains
to the European Union.
Students will take a
guided tour of St. Mark’s
Square, Campanile and
Grand Canal and visit
Doge’s Palace. The
objective is for students to
observe the historical
uniqueness of Italian
culture.
Guided tour
Take a guided tour of
Piazza della Signoria and
Ponte Vecchio.
Take a guided tour at the
Laboratorio Scientifico
dell’Opificio to learn how
scientists determine types
of matter, colorants,
binders, fabrics; metals,
etc. are present in
different artwork. See use
and application of
instruments in chemical
methods of cleaning, and
restoring frescoes,
architecture, and
paintings.
Guided tours
Take a guided tour of
Duomo and a leathermaking demonstration.
Observe effect of acid rain
and other pollutants on
buildings and statues.
Discuss which chemical
techniques/methods were
used in the restoration of
buildings/statues.
Guided tour
Venice
Dr. Oliver will have an
evening debriefing on
what is meant by culture
and cultural expression
and how culture impacts
how we view the world
around us.
Florence
Drs. Oliver and Pérez will
hold a brief evening
debriefing about cultural
experience in Florence
and art restoration.
Florence
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Dr. Oliver will have an
evening seminar on
economic integration and
the history of the EU.
March, 2012
Assisi
Take a guided tour of
Assisi and visit the
Basillica of St. Francis
Observe and discuss how
specific frescoes and
paintings at the Basillica
have been restored.
Compare some restored
frescoes/paintings to
pictures before they were
restored.
Guided tour
Self- reflection
Any course assignments may be changed at the professor’s discretion with
a verbal or written announcement before or during the class period.
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