The Renaissance Studies in Italy Program at Mary Baldwin College is a rare and exciting opportunity! Students experience a unique, intense immersion into the study of major monuments of Italian art, architecture, and history on site, focusing especially on accomplishments of the Italian Renaissance. The preparatory classes give the students valuable background knowledge; this way the trip is not overwhelming. The course, ARTH 343, and the trip are fully integrated: the streets, churches, and museums of Italy are our classrooms. Although we visit major cities (Rome, Florence, Venice), based on students’ coursework and their interests, we also visit off-the-beaten-track places such as Orvieto, Assisi, Vicenza, Pisa, and/or Siena. The small size of the group allows flexibility in scheduling, facilitates moving the group on public transportation, and permits quiet discussion on site in museums and churches. Students gain confidence in their body of knowledge about art and Italian culture. They improve their skills in research techniques, the ability to think critically and organize their thoughts, the ability to speak before a group and work well.

PLANNING AHEAD:
For maximum benefit from study abroad, students immerse themselves in studies of Italian art and culture in advance of the trip..

ELIGIBILITY:
ARTH 343 is open to Mary Baldwin women in good academic standing and in sound health who have a strong background in art history/art/history and a good conduct recommendation. Acceptance is based on academic background and preparedness, satisfactory completion of the prerequisite courses, class standing, record of good conduct and good health, and letters of recommendation.

PREREQUISITES: Minimum of 6 semester hours of related Art History coursework.
--REN 100 or ARTH 102 or ARTH 101 or permission of Dr. James
--A course in Italian Renaissance Art History taken for full academic credit (ARTH 202 or ARTH 203), a 1-hour preparatory class (ARTH 207), are required.
--ARTH 102, 202 and 207 are offered in spring 2015.
--ARTH 207 will be arranged so that all can attend.
-- All courses must be taken for full academic credit.