Office of the President

Viva l'Italia: Intellectual Traditions, the Arts, and International Travel Courses

Saturday, April 9, 2005
Room E103
9:30 a.m.

Scott Sheridan (Modern & Classical Languages & Literature): "Perchè l'Italia? (Why Italy?)"

Linda Farquharson (School of Music): "Challenges and Rewards of Travel Courses"

Jessica Caracci '01: "Italy in the Context of My Liberal Arts Education Experience"

Ariana Strahl '07: "The Grand Tour: An Artist in Italy"

It is no coincidence that the study of Italian cultural history provides a wide range of educational experiences, from traditional classroom learning to first-hand, on site learning in the country, bursting the often-cited “IWU Bubble.” Travel courses to Italy allow the Illinois Wesleyan campus to expand beyond Bloomington, taking students into renowned spaces of learning, including Italian universities, museums, concert halls, and cathedrals. Our Illinois Wesleyan students, both past and present, have encouraged and inspired us to venture forth across the globe in search of this particular educational ideal. Just as the Renaissance humanist principles revived an interest in a secularist attitude centered on human interests and values as well as in classical humanism and the revival of Greco-Roman culture, our global student citizenry want to experience the liberal arts and fine arts within historic venues. This interactive, multi-media panel will focus on two travel course experiences: Scott Sheridan's "Renaissance Italy” course, and Linda J. Farquharson's "Cathedrals, Museums, and Concert Halls" course. The panel presenters, including two student alumnae of the courses, will discuss the unique opportunities for experiential and immersive learning during the distinctive May Term session. This panel hopes to showcase the General Education Program (specifically the humanities-based concepts of the "Intellectual Traditions" and "Arts" categories) via May Term international travel courses, while highlighting the best that Illinois Wesleyan has to offer in leading its students on their quest for both knowledge and wisdom.