2025 CAPPA Study Abroad – Italy

The Study Abroad Program in Italy is one of the oldest established student travel programs in the School of Architecture. Created by Professor Emeritus Bill Boswell and Historian Professor Michael Yardley in 1982, the program incorporates a wide range of visits to ancient, medieval, gothic, renaissance, baroque, and 20th century works of architecture. The program consists of two courses, ARCH 4305/5305, The City of Rome, and ARCH 4306/5306, Urban Design Theory in Italy. The City of Rome course discusses the history, topography, and monuments of Rome and its environs from its legendary founding in 753 BCE until the 20th Century, with special emphasis on imperial and papal Rome. The course examines the city’s continuous evolution from its origins throughout its incredible history of change and transformation. The Urban Design Theory course looks at the role of urban theory and its application to the cities’ scales and its application to historical and contemporary examples. The major cities visited are Rome, Florence, Verona, Venice, and Vicenza.

The program is a condensed series of walking tours scheduled both in the mornings and afternoons. Each tour addresses the specific areas of the cities and the architectural monuments. While the history is presented, the role of the buildings in the urban context and their relationship to the larger urban environment is a key student learning objective. Design and application of theory relative to the use of historical precedents inform the students of why we study history and how we reference paradigms in the design of new structures. These cities are thousands of years old and provide a rich narrative of how American cities might operate and transform.

One primary focus of the study is the opportunity to draw and study these buildings and their contexts in situ. The experience of being able to examine firsthand these architectural structures is key to understanding spatial and form dynamics; having the experience of being in the cities and understanding the genius loci is a unique and well-remembered memory. All students of design and architecture should visit Italy to appreciate the country’s rich collection of art, architecture, and urban design.

Program Fee: $3,000

Program Fee includes: Lodging, Local Transportation, and Tour fees.

Program Fee does not include: Tuition, Airfare, Food, and Personal expenses.

Payment schedule dates and amounts.

November 22, 2024 - $ 250 Non-Refundable Deposit 
December 3, 2024 - $1,375 Second Deposit
January 21, 2025 - $1,375 Final Payment