Italy: Florence
There is no limit to the treasures of the city of Florence, which many art lovers consider the most hallowed on earth. Situated along the banks of the Arno river and set among the cypress-clad low hills of Tuscany, this small and intimate city possesses an overwhelming density of cultural and artistic experiences. Cradle of the Renaissance and home of Dante, Machiavelli, Michelangelo, and the Medici, Florence has entranced intellectuals for centuries. Today, it continues to play a major role in Italian culture, art, literature, and politics.
The program, sponsored by Syracuse University, is located on the Piazza Savonarola, a beautiful 19th-century piazza and neighborhood in the northern section of Florence, only a ten minute walk from downtown. In addition to classroom instruction, the program includes a variety of field trips.
Dates
For Option I, Option II, Pre-Architecture, and Studio Arts: Fall semester: late August to mid-December; Spring semester: early January to late April. For Option III: university semester calendars vary; candidates should check with the Division of International Programs Abroad office at Syracuse University before applying.
Fields of Study
Italian language and literature, art history, history, political science, sociology, women's studies, pre-architecture, studio art.
Eligibility
Candidates are required to complete at least two semesters of college-level Italian or the equivalent for the following Syracuse University Florence Center programs: Option I, Pre-Architecture, and Studio Arts. Two years of college-level Italian or the equivalent is required for the Centro di Cultura program (Option II), and five semesters of college-level Italian or the equivalent is required for the University of Florence program (Option III). A 9.0 GPA is required for all program options. Applicants to the studio art program are required to submit a slide portfolio with 12 to 15 slides of recent work. Preference in Pomona admissions will be given to candidates with college coursework in art history.
Number of Students
3 or more. Total program student body approximately 200 in fall, 300 in spring.
Academic Program
Students select courses from the Florence/Syracuse course catalog. Pomona awards 4.0 Pomona course credits for an academic program that includes an Italian language course, an Italian culture course, and typically four electives (a total of 16-17 semester credits). A maximum of 4.0 Pomona course credits will be awarded for the semester. All students are required to enroll in an Italian language course. Students in Option I take courses at the Syracuse University Florence Center, where elective courses are taught in English by Italian and American faculty. Students in Option II combine courses at the Florence Center with an intensive language program at the Centro di Cultura per Stranierei at the University of Florence. Students in the Studio Arts program take art courses at Syracuse’s studio on the piazza Donatello, plus Italian language courses at the Florence Center. Students in the Pre-Architecture Program take three required courses on architecture, plus Italian courses and an art history course at the Florence Center. Option III students take all courses at the University of Florence. The Florence Center offers credit internships for a minimum of one to a maximum of three semester credits. There is an additional form as part of the application for students who are interested in an internship.
Living Arrangements
Students are placed in Italian homes. An apartment option is available only for studio art and architecture students. Homestays provide breakfast seven days per week and five evening meals per week. Pomona provides an allowance for weekday lunches and evening meals on weekend days. Students placed in apartments receive an allowance from Syracuse to partially cover meal expenses, and Pomona provides a supplement.
Faculty Liaison
George Gorse