In the region of Tuscany in central Italy, the once provincial city of Florence, located on the banks of the Arno, became the crucible for a humanistic explosion that is still palpable today.  Today Florence straddles not only the ancient river that was once its lifeblood, but also the imposing and inviting nature of its very own aesthetic – equal parts opulent and rustic - it is a testament to, and emblem of, the Renaissance.  Mary McCarthy in The Stones of Florence writes, "This is a city of endurance, a city of stone."

Its "endurance" is enmeshed in virtually all of the major developments of Western civilization during the Medieval and Early Modern periods in art, literature, and politics.  The Florentine artistic tradition, which remains the basis of today's artistic training, has been copied or modified in the centuries following the Renaissance, but never surpassed. This phenomenon is easily understood when you consider that this hamlet, with its sultry summers and notoriously shallow, dirty river, boasts an unparalleled family tree of artists: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Brunelleschi, Alberti, Cellini, and Donatello are only a few that called Florence home.

Its literary tradition is just as resonant.   This is the very city – with all of its brutality, corruption, power and beauty – that provided the inspiration and language for some of the giants Western literature: Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio. And as far as politics, Machiavelli wrote the often misunderstood but universally known "The Prince" as an instruction booklet for the real-life Florentine prince, Lorenzo de' Medici.

In addition to this rich cultural heritage, the city itself is simply pleasing.  And would be so even to Bacchus.  It's a leap away from the sumptuous landscapes of the wine country in Chianti.  One would neither find it difficult to dine well nor to be entertained.  Florence is host to innumerable world-class musical, fashion, culinary and theatrical events.  As for 'il dolce far niente': a lazy day strolling around 'il centro storico' enjoying the gastronomy and gazing at the elegant window displays is a must.

For the student considering Italy as a location for study, there is hardly a place richer in art, literature, politics, history and culture than Florence. Come to contemplate and admire not only the glorious and intoxicating past of this once-powerful republic, but also to consider and enjoy the direction and changes of contemporary European culture in this living, breathing "city of stone."

The program offers courses in Intermediate and Advanced Italian, and History of Art. You must be 18 years of age or older to apply. 

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