• Description

  The Liberal Arts study abroad program in Naples, Italy is designed for students with five or more semesters of Italian who are interested in learning about Italy from a southern perspective in this very dynamic city.

  The goals of the Liberal Arts program are to enable students to develop and strengthen their ability to communicate in Italian, reaching a new level in fluency and mastery of the language through intensive language instruction. Students broaden their knowledge of contemporary and historical Italy - particularly Southern Italy and its Mediterranean context - across a wide spectrum of disciplines, through content courses taught in Italian.

  Academic Program
  The CIEE Study Center at the University of Naples "L' Orientale" (Orientale) opened in 2010. The Liberal Arts program is designed for students with an interest in deepening their knowledge of Italy through specially designed content courses taught in Italian, with an emphasis on Southern Italy. These courses are complemented with Italian language study. Students with strong language skills are encouraged to enroll directly in regular 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, with the average class size made up of about 20 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

  * Enroll in a wide range of liberal arts courses at an Italian university with highly effective Italian language teaching
  * Speak Italian everyday in an authentic and vibrant Italian environment
  * Ease into life in Naples with the guidance of Italian roommates and local student guides
  * Explore Naples and the Campania region and take overnight field trips to locations such as Rome, the Amalfi Coast, or Sicily

Culture

Cultural Activities and Field Trips
The academic program is supplemented with excursions to local places of interest and cultural activities such as local festivals and seasonal events, theater, art sites, and museums (such as Capodimonte Museum, the Bourbon Royal Palace, and historical churches in the old town and surrounding areas), as well as unique activities such as a visit to a costume factory. The opportunity of visiting local cooperatives and NGOs is also offered. Students are grouped by language level whenever possible. Group dinners open to local and international Orientale students provide an opportunity for sharing cross-cultural experiences. In addition, field trips to nearby locations such as Rome, Salerno, and the Amalfi Coast provide participants with a solid understanding of this region of Italy.