Text & Image: A Cultural History
Florence, Italy | Spring Break
Explore the history of text technologies and illustrated texts in the vibrant city of Florence, Italy. You'll fully engage the city as your textbook through experiential learning. Your learning will focus on understanding and situating the interplay between text, image, and culture over the centuries and into the current moment. From cave painting, tattoos, and graffiti to scrolls, manuscript, print, and beyond, you'll learn how each of these technologies emerged from specific cultural conditions. Hands-on learning with workshops, museum visits, and walking tours will bring the curriculum to life. Travel to Florence over spring break to study as part of a spring semester course in Tallahassee.
Eligibility
This program is open to all undergraduate students majoring or minoring in English.
Other Considerations & Requirements
Priority is given to students in good conduct standing with a GPA of 2.5 or higher; exceptions may be granted upon appeal. You must enroll in the IP section of ENG 3803 History of Text Technologies on the Tallahassee campus during the spring semester and will go abroad as a component of the course during the specified dates.
Note: Do not purchase airline tickets until advised to do so in the IP portal.
FSU Florence Study Center
Located in the heart of the city, the study center is housed in a renovated 16th century Renaissance palazzo. Learn in classrooms, the culinary kitchen, fashion lab, and library. With lounge areas, outdoor patios, and a cafe, there's plenty of space to relax in between classes. The central location makes the study center the perfect hub for immersing yourself in the rich culture and history of the city.
Housing
You'll stay in shared hotel accommodations in Florence. You'll also have secure access to the FSU Florence study center building.
Note: Overnight guests are not allowed in program housing.
Academics
On this program, you'll study a focused curriculum with an FSU faculty member. Take classes before and after the program and go abroad during spring break as part of the course. You’ll have the opportunity to use the city as your classroom through immersive academic experiences.
Excursions & Activities
You'll receive a program calendar before you leave; here are some examples taken from past programs of potential excursions & activities you may do:
Local experiences: Workshops (including paper making, book binding, and/or journal making), city walking tour, museum visits (including San Marco, Bargello, and/or La Specola), traditional Italian food cooking class, visit to the Biblioteca Nazionale
Class visits: Academic guest speakers
Included in the Fee
Academic Credit
3 credits
Housing Abroad
Shared hotel
Excursions & Activities
Some Meals
Welcome & farewell meals
International Health Insurance
On-Site Pastoral Support
Admin & Academic Support
And More!
