• Description

  The Classical Studies study abroad program in Naples, Italy is designed for students of the classics who, along with coursework in English on the classics, want to have easy access to Roman and Greek ruins as well as the archeological treasures of Naples.

  The goal of the CIEE Classical Studies program is to provide students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the language, literature, and civilization of the ancient Greeks and Romans through English-taught courses and visits to important ancient cultural sites in Naples and the Campania region, an area that presents a unique blending of ancient Greek and Roman cultural elements.

  Academic Program
  The CIEE Study Center at the University of Naples "L' Orientale" (Orientale) opened in 2010. The Classical Studies program is designed for students focusing on the Classics to deepen their knowledge at an important Classical learning center. Content courses are taught in English, and are complemented by an extensive program of local site visits and Italian language study. Students with five semesters of college-level Italian or the equivalent may also enroll directly in Orientale's courses in the Classics or other fields, or in the CIEE Liberal Arts program courses. Students who wish to stay for the academic year, with sufficient Italian, may supplement the CIEE Classics courses with courses from the Liberal Arts program along with Orientale courses.

  Academic Culture
  CIEE courses are designed for U.S. undergraduates, and the teaching and learning methods will be familiar to most U.S. students. However, classes are taught by local faculty and require students to work independently outside the classroom. Learning takes place through a coherent blend of lectures, group seminars, visits, and practical work.

  CIEE class size is small with classes taking place Monday through Friday. Classes at Orientale range from 10-60 students and the average class size is 25 students. Orientale classes meet from one to three times per week and the average class duration is about two hours, though it can range from one to four hours. The standard format is lecture, though often supplemented with seminars in the latter half of the semester.

  Following arrival and orientation, CIEE students take two weeks of intensive Italian language classes, according to their level of language placement. After that, the overall course schedule follows the typical organization of semesters at the Orientale, with fall courses taught October through December and spring courses taught March through May. Orientale courses extend into January and into June, but early exams are permitted for CIEE students.

• Highlights

  * Begin or continue Italian language study through intensive Italian language courses, whether at a beginning, intermediate, or advanced level.
  * Take courses in the classics in English.
  * Visit and participate in "L'Orientale" University's ongoing archaeological excavations, and a field trip to Rome or Sicily.
  * Enjoy excursions to unique cultural and archaeological attractions in Naples and the Campania region such as Paestum, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, Stabiae, and the Phlegraean Fields.

Culture
Cultural Activities and Field Trips
The academic program is supplemented with excursions and cultural activities including visits to museums such as the world-renowned Naples Archeological Museum and the Archeological Museum of Baiae; day trips to a variety of archeological sites in the area, from world-famous ones such as Pompeii to less known but equally significant ones such as Elea/Velia, Benevento, Capua, and Stabiae; and visits to the underground areas of ancient Greco-Roman Naples. CIEE also organizes weekend and overnight trips to main cultural ancient Greek and Roman areas within traveling distance, such as Rome, Sicily, and Apulia.

In order to provide students with the opportunity for a broader understanding of the cultural and historical development of the area, the program is enriched by visits to art museums and sites in the city such as the Capodimonte Museum, the Bourbon Royal Palace, and historical churches, as well as local festivals and seasonal cultural events. Group dinners with local and international Orientale students provide opportunities for sharing cross-cultural experiences.