THE SIRENS OF SICILY: A Stratified Perspective of the Mediterranean Soul
LS SO CI 200 CULTURAL INTRODUCTION TO ITALY
THE SIRENS OF SICILY: A STRATIFIED PERSPECTIVE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SOUL
1 CREDIT HOUR (45 lecture and field trips hours)
The study of the culture of Italy helps the student to acquire a deep awareness of both the cultural unit and diversity of the people of Italy. Majors themes of Italian Culture and thought are presented in historical contexts and brought to life through guided tours and visits to churches, synagogues, museums, palaces as well as other significant sites to understand presentday Italy.
Sicily remains an fascinating mystery to travelers both Italian and nonItalians alike. The largest island of Italy is straddled between the European and African continents and has been a cultural, commercial, and ethnic crossroads for millenniums. Stratification in all of these areas, due to the convergence of various peoples and invaders that have passed through and left their mark on Sicily over time, have slowly built up one of the most intense, saturated, and provocative cultures in the world. Sicily in fact known to bewitch its visitors and its cultural and historical attractions call out to travelers like the mythical sirens of the sea.
The course and proposed itinerary consider stratification from the following points of view: Historic: Archeology, major civilizations (Greek and Roman), ancient and modern empires (Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arabic, Normans, to name a few) Culture, Mythology, Literature, Music: Baroque opera house of Noto, Palermo's salons, ancient and contemporary Sicilian literature, traditional music.
Geography and Landscapes: Natural sites such as Mount Etna and the Grdens of Naxos, city architectures, the influence of the island culture Gastronomy and Enology: open air markets, Sicilian cuisine and wines, Pachino tomato
Students will be required keep a daily log of places visited throughout the entire trip. Notes should be organized according to the stratification categories listed above, categorization is essential to the final oral presentation that students will give at the end of the course. Please see specific presentation info after the day by day schedule of the course.
Download the complete course description and course credits below.
