Becoming an Expert on Italy

This course offers an insight into the diversity of people, regions, food, culture, ways of life in the unique part of Europe that was named the Kingdom of Italy after its unification in 1871. No other country in the world holds so many world heritage sites as Italy; the differences between the southern and the northern part of the country may be seen as a mirror for the whole of Europe. And in its strong emphasis on regional organization of society no other European country shows such mastery of combining the concepts of globalization and localization.

This course dives into the cultural history of Europe and the world, with a clear focus on the importance of Italy in de development of democracy in the Western world, in a two-week introduction in the city of Rome.

The course programme then shifts its focus to a crucial development in Europe’s history that still plays a key role in today’s globalizing world: the strong regional identification (localization), by taking the students to the strongly developed rural region of Parma and Piacenza, home of the world-famous cheese and ham industry, and also of the World Centre for Agriculture and Food Security.

The course ends with the dynamic experience of the large city of Milan, known worldwide for its top-class fashion industry.

Target audience

Students of the social sciences, including economics and business, political sciences, European studies, international relations, history, culture studies and sociology, the sciences and engineering at senior undergraduate or graduate level with an interest in culture, business, society and politics. A general background in social sciences (business) may help, but no specific expertise is required.

Course aim

At the end of this course, students should be able to:
• Describe and evaluate different theories and conceptualisations of the historic development of Europe
• Discern and analyse the European aspects of globalization versus localization
• Demonstrate an understanding of these developments in written and verbal form

Course fee

€3095 (incl. housing)
Course fee includes travel between the different course locations (Rome to Piacenza and Piacenza to Milan), as well as entrance fees for all field trips that are part of the course programme.
Students are responsible for their travel from their home country to Rome and from Milan to their home country.

Level

Advanced Bachelor

Study load

12 hours of lectures per week; 12 hours of field trips per week (obligatory part of the course programme); appr. 30 hours of self study per week