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Freshman Seminar in Tuscania & Florence, Italy
Summer 2008 On-campus follow-up meetings throughout fall semester 2008 Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Study Abroad To view a printable flyer for this program, please click here. What's this seminar about? More than seven centuries ago the great Italian poet Dante Alighieri called one of his works "Convivio" which, translated into English, means Banquet. Dante invited to this banquet all those who desired to learn. He felt that learning should go hand in hand with the pleasure of sharing food. Italy's history and art are interwined with the development of its celebrated cuisine. We invite you to a banquet of learning about civilization and art and food in Tuscania, in the center of the ancient home of the Etruscans, the first great Italian cooks. We will experience first hand their little known civilization and their important contribution to Roman civilization and to the Renaissance. The history of food, its importance in the lives of people, its place and production in today's global economy, will be a part of the total experience we want to offer you in one of the loveliest hill towns of central Italy.
Students earn two credits for UGS 102 and receive a numeric (4.0-scale) grade for their work. Credit earned in UGS 102 counts as elective credit, regardless of students' major or area of interest (although some majors may allow the course to fulfill a requirement). UGS 102 is designed to provide students with an introduction to scholarship and inquiry in international contexts. Special disciplinary-based topics are focused to develop intercultural abilities and deepen international understandings. Students will enroll for one of two thematic tracks. Enrollment in these tracks will be on a first-come, first-served basis with every effort being made to give students their first preference. The specific topics covered in each seminar depend on the faculty members teaching them. Track 1: Mangia: The Science and Culture of Italian Food What does food mean to you? At some point in history, food became more than a means for surviving: it became cuisine. Throughout history then, food has been used to demonstrate power and wealth. It is often part of rituals and ceremonies and frames our identity—religious, national, and ethnic. This track will trace the history and evolution of regional Italian cuisine and will examine how science, technology, and traditions impact food choices, food production and trade in the global market. Readings for the class will be drawn from book chapters, the Internet and other media sources such as newspaper and magazine articles. Students will gain first-hand knowledge through visits to open-air food markets, supermarkets, local restaurants, farms, and vineyards. Tuscania offers a unique opportunity to experience the vestiges of three great moments in the history of Italy and of the Western World: the magnificent remains of the Etruscan civilization; Rome, where the dearly held principles of free speech, checks and balances, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens were first practiced; and Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, that propelled the age of great achievements in the Arts and the Sciences that opened the way to the modern world. Resources for the class will be drawn from book chapters, newspaper articles, and other sources. The reading material and the lectures on the subjects described above will come alive through visits to the tombs, churches, monuments, and museums. What are the requirements? To be eligible, applicants must have first-year freshman status at Michigan State University beginning in fall 2008 AND have paid their Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED). That is, a student must be admitted to and attending MSU for the first time as a full-time college student during the 2008-09 academic year. Where will I live? Students will be living in modern, international quality hotels in both locations. In Tuscania, students will be housed in shared rooms in the center of town within easy walking distance of classes. Breakfast and lunch will be provided in the hotel restaurant In Florence, students will be housed in shared rooms and breakfast will be taken at a nearby restaurant. Laundry is available at both locations. Who can tell me more about this program? Lynn Aguado Lynn Aguado coordinates study abroad programs in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey at MSU's Office of Study Abroad. She got her start by studying abroad for an academic year in Seville, Spain in order tocomplete courses for her B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature. That experience had such an impact on her that she was inspired to work in the field of international education where she has spent the last 14 years helping students to go abroad. Lynn loves studying languagesshe is fluent in Spanish, proficient in French, and has been working on Italian in order to communicate with the locals when she travels to Italy. She is married and has a seven year old son named Lucas. Giovanna Lammers Giovanna Lammers was born in Bologna, Italy, and received advanced degrees in Classical Languages and Literature from the university founded in that city in 1088. Since coming to the United States in 1966, she has taught Latin, French and English as a Second Language at high school level, and Italian and Latin at Michigan State University. Last summer she co-led the Freshman Seminar in Tuscania, where she taught Italian civilization from Etruscan/Roman times through the Renaissance. Her children and grandchildren live in Vancouver and Rome, which gives her a global perspective on educational activities at all levels. Her recreational interests center on music [primarily opera], travel and gardening. Rhonda Crackel Ms. Crackel is the Director of Study Abroad for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. She is the co-founder and faculty leader of the “International Food Laws” study abroad program which includes site visits to universities, international agencies and multi-national food companies in the UK, France, Switzerland and Italy. In 2007 she received both the MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Study Abroad and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Distinguished Service in Study Abroad Programs award. Do I need a passport or visa? U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web. For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html Are there special health issues? As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program's itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety. For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html How much does it cost? The program fee is $4,199 and includes the following:
Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:
Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920. Students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for two credits. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.) Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances. *Check http://ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/Tuition_Fees.aspx for current tuition, fees and taxes How can I get help to pay for it? Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU's Office of Financial Aid. If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare. For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html Freshman Seminar Abroad (FSA) Scholarships Awards funded through the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE) are for $1,000, and require applicants to be Pell grant eligible and to have demonstrated high academic merit. The priority deadline for APUE awards is April 15, 2008. Awards funded through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) are for $200, and require applicants to have a 2.5 GPA or above and demonstrate financial need. The deadline for OSA awards is June 9, 2008. Please note that it may take several weeks after the deadlines to process and select the recipients of these awards. Freshman Seminar Abroad Honors College Scholarship: MSU's Honors College offers a limited number of awards specifically for FSA participants who are also incoming Honors College students. Scholarships will be awarded by the Honors College to the first eligible students who register for each program, so apply early! How do I apply? The application is available by clicking here. Once admitted into Michigan State University , you may submit your application to the MSU Office of Study in person, by fax, or by mail. A complete application requires your signature on the application form (and a parent's/guardian's signature, if you are under age 18 at the time of application). A $100 application fee is required. You will receive an electronic bill (e-bill) from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the application fee, which is applied to the cost of the seminar and is non-refundable once you accept admission into the seminar. If you are denied admission into the seminar, you will receive a full refund of the $100 application fee. Deadlines for application depend on seminar departure dates and logistical planning, and applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. The following Priority Deadlines should be taken into consideration when applying for a 2008 seminar:
The Office of Study Abroad suggests you apply well before the priority deadline date. Faculty will accept students into seminars until they are full or logistical factors make it impossible to add additional participants. To increase your chances of being accepted into your desired seminar, you should apply as early as possible. Admission into these seminars minimally requires you maintain your status as an MSU freshman and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. You will be notified of your acceptance status by an official letter from the Office of Study Abroad. Participation is contingent on maintaining your status as admitted student for fall 2008. Your participation may be denied or your participation approval may be revoked if your conduct before departure raises doubts as to your suitability for seminar participation. If admitted into a seminar, you will receive an official acceptance packet in the mail that includes a Decision Form, Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization, Statement of Responsibility, and a Travel Permission for Minors (required for participants under age 18 at the time of the seminar's departure). To confirm your admission into a seminar, you must sign and return the forms included in this packet to the Office of Study Abroad within two weeks of the date of your acceptance letter or you may lose your space in the seminar. Students admitted into a seminar less than six (6) weeks prior to the seminar's departure date must sign and return the forms upon receipt. Once you return the forms indicating your acceptance of admission you will be billed a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit. This deposit will be posted and due on your student account and must be paid by the due date indicated on the e-bill. It will be applied to the program fee. If you do not pay the application fee and/or deposit by the due date indicated on the e-bill, the fees will accrue monthly late charges until paid in full. Students who are wait-listed because a seminar is filled to capacity will not be billed the $200 deposit until formally accepted. The application fee will be refunded to wait-listed students who are unable to participate due to seminar space limitations. Billing notification will be sent to your MSU e-mail account, so you must check it regularly! To activate your MSU e-mail account visit http://help.msu.edu/newstudent/. This site will provide you with instructions on how to activate your account. You will then be able to view your bill and determine when payment is due. Further details can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook available on line at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html (including information about withdrawing from a seminar). Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances. What's next? Visit the OSA Web site Check out the following Additional Resources: Office of Financial Aid MSU Travel Clinic Academic Advisers Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities Area Studies Centers MSU Global Access |
