Italy May Term for Arts and Language in Florence
May Term 2015
Application Deadline: October 15, 2014
Dates: May 17th (arrival) to June 6th, 2015
Program Description
This new program is open to students of music, art, theater, dance and language. It will take place in Florence, Italy at the Florence University for the Arts (FUA). Musicians will have opportunities to study privately on their instrument or voice and participate in chamber ensembles. Studio artists can study ceramics, classical photography, painting and drawing, printmaking, restoration or sculpture. Art history students can study Italian art while breathing in the culture that created it. Theater students will have opportunities to study acting and theater craft. Students of language could spend the time in an intensive introduction to the Italian language. FUA is an amazing institution with a philosophy that is close to Earlham’s. They even have Department of Happiness Studies! How cool is that?
Faculty
The program will be led by Forrest Tobey, Associate Professor of Music, and his wife Lynnell Lewis, adjunct teacher of voice. They have both spent considerable time in Italy, and have led two previous Italy May Terms (2011 and 2012), under a different structure.
Course: Music 399
Students will choose one area of study that will be their focus for the term. This is, therefore, rather like an extended applied arts experience. There will also be numerous group activities that will engage us in the history and culture of Florence and Tuscany.
Location
The program will be in one central location: the extraordinary city of Florence, where the Italian Renaissance was born. FUA is located in the heart of the old city, in a remodeled palazzo that will take you centuries back in time. There will be weekend excursions to other locations in Italy; Assisi and Cinque Terre are strong considerations.
Living Arrangements:
Students will be housed in apartments within walking distance of the college. Access to personal kitchens will help keep down food costs.
Orientation:
We will meet most Wednesdays at noon during the spring semester for conversations about Italian culture, and to learn some essential street Italian. We will have one gathering at our house on a Saturday as well to watch an Italian film.
Charges:
The course fee is $3600. This includes academic costs, access to rehearsal rooms and studios, housing in shared apartments, a few meals a week prepared by their cooking school, free WIFI access on the school grounds, free gym access, free library usage and an on-site advisor. The fee also includes a History of Music in Florence walking tour and excursions to various art museums. A food allowance will be given each week. The fee includes the two weekend excursions outside of Florence.
Students will be responsible for purchasing their plane ticket. They will be met at the Florence airport on May 17th. Return flights can be booked for June 6th, though of course students may choose to stay for a while longer on their own in Italy. You will also be charged a non-refundable enrollment fee of $385.00. Earlham tuition fees apply if applicable.
Applications:
Applications are available in the International Programs Office in LBC 131 or online at: The deadline is October 15, 2014. Students will be interviewed individually as part of the application process.
Further Information:
Contact Forrest Tobey, , ext. 1357.
Visual and Performing Arts Center 247.
May Term Policies:
Program Plans Subject to Change