Critical Studies on Food in Italy Summer Program

Brief description of the program

DURATION: 5-WEEK Full Immersion Summer Program

WHEN: 19 MAY 2014 – 21 JUNE 2014

WHERE: ROME, ITALY

The program is open to all majors, University of Massachusetts Amherst and non-University of Massachusetts Amherst students. The program was launched through the collaboration of Gustolab Institute Center for Food and Culture and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Language Courses provider: Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Rome.  

The Critical Studies on Food in Italy Summer Program in Rome and the South of Italy is both academic and experiential. The program is taught by faculty with international experience and expertise across Food Studies, communication and media in the food field. Starting in 2007, Gustolab Institute was the first center for Food Studies in Italy dedicated to short and long-term study abroad programs from the U.S. 

COURSES OFFERED:

Critical Studies on Food Culture (3 credits) COURSE: The course presents food in all its complex connections with culture, nutrition, environment, society, economics and politics. This course combines traditional lectures and discussion meetings with hands-on co-curricular activities and field trips in and around Rome, as well as in the Lazio region and Cilento’s seaside. No prerequisites.

Food media, communication and trends (3 credits) COURSE: Food has become a hot topic on TV, the internet and printed media.  This course focuses on the intersection between food and media, a connection that has elicited much interest in communication studies over the past few years. Students will be able to take advantage of hands-on practice with different kinds of media, including digital video (they will produce a food documentary using professional techniques). No prerequisites.

Food, Nutrition and Culture in Italy (3 credits) COURSE: This course will focus on how culture and ethnicity affect dietary practices, with particular emphasis on Italy as compared to the U.S. The influence of politics on food availability and food practices will be discussed. Emphasis will also be on cross-cultural communication processes to address nutrition and cultural issues. No prerequisites.

Elementary Italian Language UMASS ITAL 110 (3 credits) COURSE and Intensive Elementary Italian Language UMASS ITAL 126 (6 credits)* COURSE (Both courses are applicable toward UMass Amherst’s language requirement): Higher levels of Italian language and Italian Conversation courses are available at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci. Please contact Gustolab Institute to receive more information. No prerequisites. *minimum of 8 participants must be enrolled for the INTENSIVE course 

Italian Lexicon for Food Studies (3 credits) COURSE:  This course will be for students without any knowledge of the Italian language and aims to teach: technical terms, vocabulary, and words used in the specialized field of study and research of the Food Studies.

For more information about the program, tuition and cost of the program, please visit:  

http://issuu.com/gustolab/docs/umass_program_2014

For Scholarships are available. For more details and information on how to apply, please contact Gustolab Institute Director Sonia Massari at sonia.massari@gustolab.com

For more information about the program and a Pre-Application Selection form, please write to info@gustolab.com