UCLA Travel Study
ELTS: Renaissance and Modernity
Rome is the ideal place to understand Italy’s rich traditions and cultural diversity. Not only was it the seat of the ancient empire, boasting an extraordinary history well before the advent of Julius Caesar; it is also the home of the Vatican and the capital of present-day Italy. As such, it has played a unique role in the emergence of modern Europe and offers an unparalleled wealth of artistic monuments and historical splendors ranging from the Classical period through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque, to the Modern. Located in the center of the country, Rome is an ideal spot from which to travel to other parts of Italy. Naples and Florence are accessible within two hours by train, and Venice and Milan within four.
While Italian 1 will be conducted entirely in Italian, Italian 42B and 191 will be taught in English. All students with interests in the topics of these courses are welcome in the program, regardless of their major or minor (or home campus). We seek a diverse group, with a broad range of backgrounds, for the course. The program is best suited for sophomores and juniors, but seniors who need summer credits in order to complete their graduation requirements are also most welcome to the program.
Curriculum
Program Courses
All students will enroll in two of the following three courses while attending the program:
- Italian 191Â (4 units)
- Italian 42B (5 units)
- Italian 1Â (4 units)
Course Descriptions
Italian 191: Rome Stories: Modern & Contemporary Narrative in the Eternal City (taught in English) (4 units)
Prerequisites:Â None
This course is focused on short stories set in Rome. Experiential learning will be highlighted during the fieldwork portion of the course as you visit key locations. We will pay close attention to the historical layers and nuances of the narrative in contemporary context and take original photographs, add captions, share critical analyses, and submit a final course project in the form of a graphic narrative.
Italian 42B: Transcultural Italy in Modern and Contemporary Times (taught in English) (5 units)
Prerequisites:Â None
In this course, we will examine monuments, urban space, architecture, visual art, music, cinema, design, fashion, cuisine and social and political movements that served as agents of change for the social, political, and economic landscape of Italy from the 18th century to the present day. You will conduct fieldwork at key sites and contribute to a collective story map as a final class project.
*Italian 42B can be applied toward the Literary & Cultural Analysis or Historical Analysis UCLA GE requirements.Â
Italian 1:Â Elementary Italian Beginning (4 units)
Prerequisites:Â None
The purpose of this course is to provide students with a sound basis for communicating effectively and accurately in Italian while acquiring cultural knowledge. Students will have unique opportunities to learn about geography, history, and art while studying the structure of the language. Through the use of communicative activities and technology, students gradually absorb more of the language and recognize the interconnectedness between reading, writing, listening, speaking, and culture. Italian 1 will cover the Preliminary Chapter and Chapters 1-3. Class will be conducted entirely in Italian.
Optional Course
Italian 199: Directed Research (4 units; requires instructor consent)
Students also have the option of enrolling in an optional 199 course, allowing them to do an additional assignment on a topic related to the travel study program. Instructor consent is required to register, so be sure to obtain your instructor’s approval on the subject and format. There is an additional fee for this optional course.
Students can enroll in optional courses by submitting the Optional Course Registration Form, as well as proof of instructor consent, to info@ieo.ucla.edu. You can enroll up until the Friday of the second week of your program.
Schedule
All schedules, itineraries, and group activities are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.Â
Textbooks
Weekly readings are downloadable and printable from your CCLE course website. It is strongly suggested you read as much of the text material as possible before you depart so you have more time to enjoy the city while you’re abroad.
Budget and Financial Aid
| Budget | UC Undergrads | UC Grad Students | Visiting Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fee | $6300 | $6900 | $6900 |
| Textbooks (estimate) | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Airfare (estimate) | $1500 | $1500 | $1500 |
| Meals (estimate) | $1200 | $1200 | $1200 |
| Spending Money (estimate) | $800 | $800 | $800 |
Program fee includes registration and course fees, accommodations, some meals, program excursions and health insurance.
Airfare, textbooks, optional courses, majority of meals, optional excursions, and any COVID-19 testing required for travel are additional.
Fees are subject to change by action of the UC Regents. View full fee disclaimer.
Document Fee
Non-UCLA students will be charged a $50 Document Fee. This is a one-time document fee which covers fees for first-class mailing of official transcripts, diploma and much more. Please visit the Registrar’s Office Website for more information. Matriculated UCLA Students: Please visit the Registrar’s Office Website for document fee information.
IEI Fee
All undergraduate students will be charged a $61 IEI fee per summer. The IEI (Instructional Enhancement Initiative) fee is a course materials fee that is charged in order to support the use of technology in undergraduate education at UCLA. For more information please click here.
Budgeting
We recommend that you budget accordingly to cover optional sightseeing, laundry, internet cafes, emergencies, etc. Â How much to budget depends on your travel, entertainment, and souvenir choices. It is always best to overestimate your spending. Take the time to research the cost of living in your destination and the activities you want to participate in while abroad.
Purchasing Airfare
Please do not purchase airfare until instructed to do so by your Travel Study Program Coordinator.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for Travel Study programs is available to qualified UCLA students. All other students should inquire about financial aid at their home institution. For details about the financial aid application process, please visit the Financial Aid section of this website.
On Location
Accommodations
Students will reside in a shared student residential apartment building in Rome in double and triple rooms. All apartments will have a fully furnished kitchen.
UCLA Travel Study reserves the right to change housing locations. Should this be necessary, we will arrange comparable accommodations elsewhere.
Meals
A welcome and farewell dinner will be provided. All other meals are the responsibility of the student and all apartments will have a furnished kitchen.
If you have strict dietary requirements, this program may not be able to accommodate your needs. Please let us know when you apply for this program if you have special dietary needs as well as any physical or medical conditions. We will advise you accordingly.
Excursions
This program includes several excursions as part of its curriculum. Possible excursions in Rome and the surrounding area include visits to Palatine Hill, MAXXI, Biblioteca della Camera Dei Deputati, Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Villa Medici, Roman Forum and Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Villa Borghese and Borghese Museum, and a day trip to Tivoli. The program also includes an overnight excursion to Florence with visits to the Uffizi Gallery and Duomo. This list is subject to change. A schedule of excursions will be available at a later date.
Free time is built into this program for independent sightseeing. If you plan on traveling extensively, we recommend that you budget additional spending money.