UDIST300 Italian Art & Contemp Culture
May 30–June 14, 2008

CCA, April 26, S, 10 am-12 pm Italy, May 30-June 14 CCA, August 14, TH, 10 am-4 pm Rich in history and culture and with a singular place in the development of western art, Italy offers unique perspectives to all students of the arts. This interdisciplinary course examines the art, culture, and everyday life of Italy, while providing students an opportunity to work in the medium of their choice. The course traces Italian art and culture from Renaissance to present-day. Students receive a reader, pertaining to museums and historical sites, to which they must respond before their arrival in Italy. Rome: The class begins in Rome, visiting the sites of Imperial Rome, including Pompei, High Renaissance such as the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, and Baroque, viewing various churches with paintings by Caravaggio, including San Clemente; three churches, constructed one above the other, that rest on the remains of earlier Roman habitants; different architectural sites designed by Michelangelo, Bernini, Borromini, Bramante, and more. The class also dedicates time to viewing contemporary exhibitions in the area. Umbertide: Participants then travel to Umbertide, a medievel/Renaissance town in the region of Umbria, the heart of Italy. Here the class focuses mainly on working in the studio, preparing for an exhibition. The exhibition is held in the 18th century town, Museum San Francesco, host to artwork by Luca Signorelli, a Renaissance master.While in Umbertide, students also visit the Etruscan-Roman town of Perugia, Citta' di Castello's incredible permanent museum dedicated to the works of Alberto Burri, an Italian abstract painter and sculptor; and Sansepolcro/Monterchi, the native town of Renaissance master, Piero della Francesca. This course fulfills a studio elective, or 3 credits of the Visual Studies requirement; or for students who achieve junior or senior standing by the end of spring 2008, this course may count for an Upper Division Interdisciplinary studio requirement.

Interdisciplinary Studios extend a student's cross-school experience from Core Studio up into his or her upper division years. 3 units of Interdisciplinary Studio are required of all majors and must be completed in the junior or senior year.