Italy (CMN)

Dates (tentative): TBA

Group leader(s): Prof. Vincent Rocchio (v.rocchio@neu.edu), Prof. David Monje (d.monje@neu.edu)

Course description:

The purpose of this course is to expose students to the art and culture of Italy as a means of providing a specific context to learn video field production skills. The course will focus on two major artistic trends/concepts in Italian art: realism and modernism. In particular, the course will analyze these two concepts as dynamic and evolving practices in painting, sculpture, literature, architecture and film, that respond to shifting political formations and issues�particularly in the evolution from empire, to city-state, to the nation-state and the shift from an agrarian to industrial society. Using the classroom as an instructional base, the course will also extensively use the city of Rome as a classroom, and the Italian countryside (like the Abruzzi National Forest) including tours of the Vatican and Vatican Museums, Roman buildings (i.e. Pantheon) and ruins (coliseum, forum, etc.) movie and television studios (Cinecitta, RAI).

Students will then take their critical exposure to realism and modernism and integrate it into the specific practice of field video production with an emphasis on documentary production.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

Understand the dynamics of realism as a particular discursive strategy rather than a natural representation.

Analyze modernism as a particular cultural mode operating under specific historical conditions.

Critically assess the dynamic relationship between media, culture, and society in forming collective and individual identities.

Structure their critical assessments into essays.

Relate different media as specific texts and textual strategies.

Demonstrate proficiency in camera function.

Demonstrate proficiency in digital video editing.

Course Materials:
Texts: The Italian Renaissance (Paperback) by Peter Burke and Modernism (Movements in Modern Art) (Paperback) by Charles Harrison
In addition to meeting in a traditional classroom setting, students will take trips to museums, film and television studios and buildings of architectural significance. Students will also be shooting video and editing their work on computer. Readings will be made available prior to departure and remain available via a course website. In addition, students will need to supply their own videotape (one tape at $10) and a portable USB storage device of at least 60 gigabytes (approx cost $50-80). All other video production equipment - cameras, tripods, microphones - will be provided.

Course credits: IAF U939 Dialogue of Civilizations Globalization, Humanities and Cultural Studies and CMNU306 International Communication Abroad.

Cost of program: Most major costs will be covered by summer tuition. There may be an additional program fee depending on length of stay in-country, airline ticket prices, or other extra expenses. Students will be responsible for meals and spending money.

Application Process: Download the Dialogue of Civilizations application, enrollment form, and waiver form. Turn in the completed forms to Cynthia Rapp in the International Affairs Office, 270 Holmes Hall.

Application Deadline: The deadline for this Dialogue has passed. Please consider another one of our wonderful Dialogue programs.

Disclaimer: Some information posted here is tentative and subject to change based on costs and dates of available flights. The website is updated as current information becomes available.