Rome: Past and Present

Overview

Location Rome, Italy
Arrival Date May 4, 2025
Teaching Dates May 5 – May 16, 2025
6 Credits  ARTH 360  
Eligibility Third year standing
Approximate Program Fee TBD

Program Information

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

Rome. Past and Present explores the rich history, architecture, and cultural context of the iconic monuments and landscapes that define both ancient and contemporary Rome. This three-week program begins with pre-departure asynchronous lectures and preparatory work that lays the groundwork for two weeks of in-country instruction entirely conducted in the streets, city squares, museums, and parks of Rome. The two courses, “Monuments of Ancient Rome” and “Fountains, Gardens, and Villas of Rome” will bring students face-to-face with quintessential examples of ancient art and architecture – the Colosseum, Pantheon, and the Vatican – as well as local parks and neighborhoods of the Romans.  

Some potential activities include:  

  • Opportunities to work on Photo Journaling project 
  • Self-directed study in world-class museums 
  • Candidates will be in schools four days/week with extended weekends to be used for cultural events and travel in the area  

ELIGIBILITY AND PREREQUISITeS 

  • Third-year standing

COURSEWORK 

ARTH 360 (6 credits)  

Course 1 “Monuments of Ancient Rome” (mornings, 9am to 12noon) lectures are given primarily in the historic core of Rome studying in situ ancient structures including the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, tomb of Augustus and the archaeological site of Ostia Antica.  

Course 2 ‘Fountains, Gardens, and Villas of Rome’ (afternoons, 2 to 5pm) focuses on green spaces of the Eternal city such as the archaeological park of Via Appia, Renaissance estates of Villa Borghese and Villa Medici, and the beach town of Ostia Lido. 

Timeline

Teaching Dates: May 5 – May 16, 2025

Arrival: May 4, 2025

WEEK 1 (APRil 2025)

Students will attend two pre-departure online asynchronous lectures via Zoom, and complete the following course deliverables: in Course 1, a Monument Report (presentation of monument given on site, in Rome) and Article Critique; in Course 2, the research and text for the Individual Presentation Paper (presentation of topic/artwork given on site, in Rome), and an Article Critique.

WEEK 2 & 3 (MAY 5-16)

Arrive in Italy (May 4th). Monday through Thursday on-site lectures and class discussions held outside, in the city—the streets, public spaces, and in front of the monuments that are the subject of study. Group oral presentations on-site.

Friday: students explore local museums and galleries independently or in small groups, local suggestions provided.

Saturday & Sunday (May 10 & 11): Students are free to explore the city and surrounding areas

Program Fees

Program fees: TBD. The final program fee depends on the number of students in the program.

Included in program fee Not included in program fee
  • Accommodations
  • On-site group transportation
  • Some meals
  • Entrance fees
  • Guest lectures
  • Go Global fees
  • Flight
  • UBC tuition
  • Remainder of meals
  • Health or travel insurance
  • Immunizations (if necessary)
  • Visas (if necessary)

AWARD

Every student accepted into this program will receive a $1,000 Global Seminar Award. This will be distributed to students in May 2025.

Program Director Bio’s

Dr. Antonella De Michelis, PhD

Antonella De Michelis is an architectural historian with two decades of teaching experience in the field of study abroad. She is passionate about travel, history, and food culture. Her first introduction to global learning was as a high school exchange student to Belgium, having caught the bug, she completed her undergraduate studies in Italy and continued her postgraduate work in England. As a professor, Antonella lived in Rome for twenty years where she lectured on various subjects including art history, architecture, urban studies, and medical humanities for multiple study abroad programs including the University of Minnesota, Yale University, Auburn University, University of Colorado Boulder, and Michigan State University. Antonella has led workshops and professional development seminars on place learning and teaching in the field. Currently, she is chair of Accent Global Learning Academic Advisory Board and adjunct professor of art history and visual culture in the Department of Creative Studies at the University of British Columbia. She is the co-author of Through Time and the City. Notes on Rome (Routledge, 2021) and recent publications include contributions to Eternal Ephemera. The Papal Possesso and Its Legacies (University of Toronto Press, 2020) and The History of the Papacy (Cambridge University Press, forthcoming).