Description

Cinema in Sicily

The Global Education Office and the School of World Studies are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to explore Mediterranean cinema in partnership with the University of Messina in Sicily. This program is available to VCU students through the generous financial contribution and support of CIMS Unime, CUMO and the city of Noto. The program will take place in Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean. The location for the first two weeks is in one of the most spectacular towns of Sicily: Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the second half of the program, students will be able to take advantage of film screenings and discussion with directors at the Taormina Film Festival (June 16-23). Several excursions are included.

Course and Credit Options: 3-6 undergraduate or graduate VCU credits
Undergraduate students:
* WRLD/INTL 203 The Mediterranean as Screen
OR
* WRLD/INTL 491 The Mediterranean as Screen (Additional work required)

Graduate students:
* WRLD 535 World Filmmakers Taormina Film Festival
* WRLD 203 or WRLD 491

All classes are in English. A one-credit Italian language course is also available, for no extra cost (this will be transferred from the University of Messina).

Course Description:

WRLD/INTL 203 or 491: The Mediterranean as Screen will examine how films that were shot in Sicily use the Mediterranean Sea as a site for the projections of dreams and desires.

During the 8 days of the Taormina Film Festival (June 16-23), students who register for WRLD 535: World Filmmakers will attend 7 Master classes in English with projection on topics concerning the Festival: "Mediterranean area Cinema" led by international figures such as: Paul Schrader, Terence Davies, Giuseppe Tornatore, Matt Dillon, Peter Weir, Abbas Kiarostami, Michael Douglas and Jane Campion.

Students may also have the opportunity to take an Italian language course (one credit) in Noto, which may be transferred back to VCU for Italian language credit. There will be no extra charge for the Italian language course.

Highlights

While in Italy
Noto will be the base for this program, and the program includes a tour of the city of Noto. Day trips/excursions are also included to various locations throughout Sicily including Taormina for the International Film Festival, Palermo, Monreale, Siracusa, Selinunte, Agrigento, Stromboli, Etna, Messina, and the Eolian Isles. Students will also have free time for independent exploration and travel.

The program will be led by Dr. Oliver C. Speck of the School of World Studies. His areas of expertise are film studies, especially European Cinema, and film theory. His teaching interests also include genre studies and cultural studies. This will be his second time directing the Noto program.

Housing:
Students will stay in hotels in shared rooms with air conditioning.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

• Film
• Filmmaking
• International Relations
• Italian

Cost in US$:

Approx. USD1,700 + airfare + tuition

Program Fees Include:

The program fee is approximately USD1,600 - USD1,800 and includes the following:
* Accommodations
* Breakfast
* Study visits and tours
* Ground transportation
* Airport transfer
* On-site Program Director support
* Pre-departure orientation
* International Student Identification Card
* VCU administrative fees
* Application deposit

The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
* Airfare
* VCU tuition and fees
* Most meals (approximately USD13/day)
* Passport application fee
* Personal expenses during the program (estimated at USD600)
* Anything not specifically mentioned above

Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for making their own round-trip travel arrangements from the US to their destination city. Program directors will meet with accepted students to go over specific travel logistics and may help students in identifying low-cost travel options. For best fares, students are encouraged to purchase their tickets prior to April 15.

Students should travel to Rome or Milan and then travel by plane, train, ferry or bus to Sicily (Catania). Travel is safe and relatively inexpensive in Italy.

Experience Required

yes

This program is open to all students with a GPA of at least 2.0. Admission of applicants is based on academic record and the candidate's statement. Additionally, applicants will be asked to participate in an interview with the program director. Preference will be given to students who have taken WRLD 230: Introduction to Film.

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-15

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-4 weeks

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Year Founded

1838