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Fall 2008
The Papacy and the Development of the Church in Rome
Since the fourth century, Rome has been a city of the Christian Church, the
center and embodiment of the Roman Catholic Church. The history of the city is
tied to the history of the Church and is intimately connected with its leaders,
the popes. Students in the course will study the development of the meaning of
the papacy throughout history. They will critically examine the interaction
between theory (the understanding and theology of the papacy) and reality (the
actual lives of the men who filled this role and often fell far short of the
ideal, the places they walked, and the buildings and artwork they inspired).
Through a study of the historical development of the papacy, students will
reflect on the Roman Catholic understanding of Church and its commitment to the
Pope as the successor of Peter, Vicar of Christ, and Servant of the Servants of
God.
Instructor: Dr. David Dawson Vasquez
Books
Art & Architecture of Ancient Rome
This course is intended to offer students an introduction to the city of Rome
that is topographic, architectural, and art historical in nature. In our study of Rome,
we will focus on developments in the architecture, painting, sculpture, and
urban development in the city. While our survey is limited to antiquity,
it is understood that Rome’s modern urban fabric is profoundly affected
by the events of the ancient period, so this course is also intended to
facilitate your understanding of the modern city in which you are spending the semester.
Instructor: Dr. Laura Flusche
Books
Modern Philosophy: The Conception of the Human after the Scientific Revolution
The course will offer an examination of some of the central figures and questions
of modern European philosophy. Focusing mainly on the epistemological positions of these
thinkers, the course will also include an analysis of their metaphysical and ethical positions
and the location of their thought within cultural, religious, and scientific contexts.
Areas to be covered will include the continental rationalists (Descartes, Spinoza, and
Leibniz), the British empiricists (Berkeley, Locke, Hume), the German idealists (Kant, Hegel,
Marx), with a look toward how contemporary thought will be influenced (Nietzsche).
Issues to be explored will include the possibility and character of knowledge and scientific
explanation, the nature of the human mind and personal identity, and the possibility of a
philosophical understanding of God and the self.
Instructor: Prof. Susan Dawson Vásquez
Books
Spirit of (Dis)Placement: Italy as Canvas and Mirror in Modernist Literature
Italy has been the subject of the literary and visual art of foreigners for centuries.
A key outcome of the study of literature is that the reader gains a deeper understanding
of the self through the attempt to understand the motivations and actions of literary
characters. Such insight into the self as a result of examination of the other is one
of the key outcomes of study abroad learning experiences as well: as the student traveler
attempts to understand the host culture, she invariably confronts new aspects of herself.
Italy has been the subject of the literary and visual art of foreigners for centuries.
A key outcome of the study of literature is that the reader gains a deeper understanding
of the self through the attempt to understand the motivations and actions of literary
characters. Such insight into the self as a result of examination of the other is one of
the key outcomes of study abroad learning experiences as well: as the student traveler
attempts to understand the host culture, she invariably confronts new aspects of herself.
Instructor: Dr. Susan McGury
Books
Italian Language
Italiaidea
Each student will take at least two intensive Italian language courses at
Italiaidea. The courses consist of three hours per day, made of 60 minutes each,
from Monday through Friday, for a total of 4 weeks, in groups of maximum 10
students. The courses are taken consecutively. Italiaidea is one of Italy's most
outstanding Italian language schools. It is located in the heart of Rome near
Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. In addition to lively and engaging language
and culture courses, Italiaidea offers students an intimate study environment as
well as a high degree of professionalism and flexibility.
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