Macerata Program for Italian Studies

The Department of French and Italian is pleased to announce the continuation of its program that enables gifted and committed students to make extra-rapid progress in Italian.

Students who have taken or are currently taking ITA 101-1027 or ITA 107, who have scored or are expected to score top grades in these courses, who would like to take a big step forward in their Italian language skills this summer AND who envisage pursuing one of the Department's programs (certificate or concentration) are invited to apply for admission to ITA 207I, Accelerated Summer Study in Italy.

ITA 207I is an intensive, four-week language immersion program taught at the Università di Macerata in Macerata , Italy . There are twenty hours per week of classroom teaching under a faculty member from Princeton University and one from the University of Macerata. Two hours per day are devoted to an advanced review of grammar, conversation, and composition. Two hours focus on cultural issues, such as Italian economy and politics, and Italian literary texts. Every week there is a day trip to a location relevant to the issues and texts studied. Course participants lodge in University dorms, with meals provided at the University cafeteria. In all, ITA 207I provides an outstanding opportunity for total immersion in Italian language and culture and for rapid acquisition of higher-level language skills.

The total cost of the course for the summer 2009 has not been determined yet, and will be announced in the early spring 2009, however the Department of French and Italian will provide an incentive to all successful applicants. Students should also anticipate travel costs of up to $1300 as well as personal expenses. Students on financial aid may apply to the Dean's Fund for Study Abroad to cover these costs. They may also request a loan from Financial Aid to cover a part of the program budget that may remain unmet. Students in need of support, irrespective of aid status, may also apply for a grant from the Fred Fox '39 Fund. Deadlines for these funding sources may be earlier than departmental decisions on admission to the course. Personal expenses will need to be met from students' own pockets.

The exact dates for the summer '09 will be from Sun. June 7th - Sat. July 4th.

In 2009, the resident faculty member will be Professor Fiorenza Weinapple.

Macerata is a small medieval town along the Adriatic coast, which is twenty minutes away by train. The university, town, and its surroundings afford many opportunities for enjoying cultural and historical sites, as well as varied recreational activities, including hiking in surrounding hills, swimming, concerts, and museum going, and shopping. The nearest international airport is Rome , which connects to Macerata via rail or bus service. The University of Macerata website provides more information: http://www.unimc.it.

To receive course credit, students must pass the course with a C or better. Official transcripts will be sent directly to the Department of French & Italian.

Written applications stating courses passed and currently taken, the name of your Italian language instructor(s), and your reasons for wanting to take the course, must be sent to Professor Fiorenza Weinapple. Applicants will be called for interview shortly after the beginning of April. The selection of participants will be announced as soon as possible thereafter. Information about travel and accommodation as well as a “survival pack” based on the experience of previous participants will be made available to all successful applicants before the end of the spring 2009 semester.

Return to FIT Study Abroad page.