ITAL 150 – Cultural Competency: Exploring life in a small Italian city: Arezzo

*This course is exclusive to the Rochester Florence Program

Course description

This course is designed to provide students with a unique experience that goes beyond the surface of travel and tourism in Italy. Through bi-monthly visits to Arezzo, a city of 100,000 inhabitants in the heart of Tuscany and just a scant hour from Florence, students will explore its history, monuments, economic structure and customs. By studying the heritage of a lesser-known city, participants will gain deeper insights into the essence of Italian culture.

Course objectives

1. Historical Exploration: Uncover the roots of a small city by tracing its historical developments and milestones.  Understand the key events, rulers, and social transformations that have shaped its unique identity and contributed to the formation of local customs and traditions.
2. Monuments and landmarks: Visit the city’s iconic landmarks and monuments. Analyze their architectural styles, significance, and roles in the local community’s life, while appreciating the artistic and cultural values they represent.
3. Customs and traditions: Everyday life of the city’s inhabitants – living a typical day to understand what shapes the cultural fabric of the community.
4. Cultural significance: Examine how the small city’s culture connects to and differs from broader national or regional cultures. Explore how historical events and external influences have impacted and preserved the city’s unique identity over time.
5. Community engagement: Interact with residents to gain first-hand perspectives on the city’s history and customs. Engage in cultural exchanges to develop a nuanced understanding of the local way of life.
6. Preservation and challenges: Reflect on the efforts to preserve the city’s cultural heritage in the face of modernization and globalization. Discuss the challenges while adapting to a changing world.
7. Comparative analysis: Draw comparisons between the small city’s culture and those of other regions or countries.  Identify common threads and differences, fostering cross-cultural awareness and appreciation.

By the end of this course, students will have cultivated an appreciation for life in the city of Arezzo, honed their analytical and critical thinking skills, and developed a global perspective that transcends geographical boundaries. They will be better equipped to understand and navigate the complexities of intercultural interactions in an increasingly interconnected world.

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