Our Faculty

Courses Taught at the Institute

ITAL 340: Readings in Italian Literature.  A Journey into Italian Theater (in Italian). Innamorate e Servette. Ruoli femminili nel teatro italiano.
Italian Language: The Florence Experience.

Credentials

2009 – Ph.D., History of the Performing Arts, University of Florence.
2005 – Laurea in Lettere, University of Florence.

Relevant Projects

2006-Present
Writer and editor (until 2009) for the online magazine Drammaturgia.it (www.drammaturgia.fupress.net).
2016
Collaborated in preparing an Italian language book for beginners: D. Marini-S. Baldini, Vorrei. Corso di lingua italiana di livello elementare 1. Libro di testo e libro degli esercizi, Firenze, Firenze University Press, 2016.
2013-2014
Research Fellowship, University of Florence, Dipartimento di Storia, Archeologia, Geografia, Arte, Spettacolo (SAGAS).  Project: “Attività di ricerca e stesura di biografie di attori e cantanti italiani per l’Archivio Multimediale degli Attori Italiani” directed by Siro Ferrone.

Latest Publications

-Vita e opere di un Comico dell’Arte: Francesco Gabrielli detto Scapino, in «Il Liuto. Rivista della Società del Liuto», n. 12, maggio 2016, pp. 1-13.
-Antonietta Robotti (Como, novembre 1817-Bologna, 29 agosto 1864), in «Drammaturgia», a. XII, n.s. 2-2015, pp. 241-262.
-Memorie d’attore. Vittorio Gassman – Carmelo Bene, in Renaissance then and now: danza, musica e teatro per un nuovo Rinascimento. Atti del convegno internazionale di studi (ISI Florence, Palazzo Rucellai, 7-9 maggio 2013), a cura di Stefano Baldassarri, Pisa, ETS, 2014, pp. 17-32.
-Il Bergamasco in commedia. La tradizione dello Zanni nel teatro d’antico regime, Bergamo, Lubrina, 2012, pp. 1-287.
-Actors’ biographical profiles in Archivio Multimediale degli Attori Italiani, directed by Siro Ferrone, Firenze, Firenze University Press, 2012.

Teaching Philosophy

Learning is starting a journey in an unknown land. My attempt is to make my students’ journey a stimulating one. My first goal is guiding them to taste the pleasure of discovery. I share with them my enthusiasm and passion for the subject I teach, and I encourage them to become the “main actors” of the learning process. In the texts we read, in the shows we attend, even in grammar rules… lies a mysterious “treasure” that we can bring to light together, collecting evidence and consulting witnesses…

Most Rewarding Moments

When students tell me about the “discoveries” they have autonomously done thanks to input received in class.

Favorite Quotes

“For on that is the mind fed wherein it is gladdened”  St. Augustine.
“Instruction does much, but encouragement everything”  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Courses taught at the Institute

Family Business in Italy
The Business of Sustainable Food Supply Chains in Italy (SFESP)

Credentials

MBA (Marketing) Aston Business School, Birmingham UK
BSc in Polymer Technology, IPTME, Loughborough University, UK

Relevant Projects / Publications

Organisational Culture and the Classroom; Annuario Dirigenti Scuola 2013, LA SCUOLA SpA, Brescia, Italy.

Evaluation of Child Centered Education Through Cultural Analysis, OECD/CERI Innovative Learning Environments (2013), Paris, France.

Development of a new BSc(hons) programme – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and the maintenance of all undergraduate programmes, in consultation with the University of Buckingham, external examiners and the QAA (The Quality Assurance Association for Higher Education in the UK).

Managing Director of Supplyco Ltd.  A UK based business, supplying chemicals for European manufacturing industries.

Teaching Philosophy

As a lecturer in business I love the application of major business principles to the local context of Florence. This is where we see a rich fusion of historical and dynamic business types vying for a future.  My lecture style is one of using cases to develop theoretical and practical business principles.

Most Rewarding Moments

Taking students to a leather tannery in Empoli, which is ran by one of my ex-students and following the supply chain through to Gucci, Prada and Ferragamo.

Favorite Quote

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none. (William Shakespeare).

Courses Taught at the Institute

Archaeology and Art of Ancient Italy
Field Archaeology

Credentials

Ph.D. in “History and Civilization of the Ancient World”, University of Florence – 2009
1st Class Degree (MA) in Roman Archaeology, University of Florence -2005
1st Class Degree (MA) in Methodology of Archaeological Research, University of Pisa – 2001

Relevant Projects

– 2014 Instructor of the course “Methodology of Archaeological research: from the dig to the history”, School of Specialization in Archaeology University of Florence.
– 2013 Project Scientific Coordinator excavation Area Piazza Garibaldi, Fiesole (Florence).
– 2012 Teaching assistant Greek and Roman Archaeology, University of Florence.
– 2011 Associate with the “Studio Archeologico Associato Hera di Giuditta Grandinetti and Carolina Megale”.
– 2011 President of Cultural Association Past in Progress.

Recent publications

C. MEGALE, A. CAMILLI, E. SORGE (eds.), Archeologia in cantiere. Nuove scoperte dagli scavi di Baratti, Pisa 2014.
C. MEGALE, F. GHIZZANI MARCÌA (ed.), Materiali per Populonia 8, Pisa 2009.
C. MEGALE (ed.), Fare l’archeologo. Per passione e per mestiere, Livorno 2009.

Latest Articles

C. MEGALE, Corneli in Val di Cornia, in S. BRUNI, C. CIANFERONI (eds.), Δόσις δ’oλίγη τε φίλη τε. Studi per Antonella Romualdi, Firenze 2014.
C. MEGALE, S. GENOVESI, Economy and production in Late Republican Settlement of Poggio del Molino, Populonia, in L. BOMBARDIERI, A. D’AGOSTINO, G. GUARDUCCI, V. ORSI, S. VALENTINI (a cura di), Identity and Connectivity: Proceedings of the 16th Symposium on Mediterranean Archaeology, Florence, Italy, 1–3 March 2012, BAR International Series 2581 (II), 2013, pp. 901-908.
G. DE TOMMASO, S. GENOVESI, C. MEGALE, Piombino (Li). Necropoli di San Cerbone-Casone: relazione preliminare della campagna 2012, «Notiziario della Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici della Toscana», 8/2012, pp. 475-477.
C. MEGALE, S. GENOVESI, M. BUENO, Nuovi mosaici dalle terme della Villa di Poggio del Molino (Populonia–LI), Actes of XVIII Colloquio AISCOM Associazione Italiana per lo Studio e la Conservazione del Mosaico (Cremona 2012), pp. 517-526.

Teaching Philosophy

I believe in hands-on experience, I love books but I prefer soil.
My approach to teaching is based fundamentally on interest and enjoyment. I find archaeology a fascinating subject both to learn and to teach and I think that bringing this enthusiasm into the classroom and passing it on to students is the best way to teach effectively. However, enthusiasm alone is not enough. Successful teaching combines this with appropriate knowledge about the subject and the use of a variety of educational techniques from old fashioned lecturing to the use of multimedia, films, web resources, but first of all visits to the museums, field trips and practical experience on archaeological site.
Not every student I teach will major in archaeology or anthropology, but all students can benefit from an archaeological perspective. The archaeological approach is a way of thinking and my aim is to teach to my students to get the right questions and have the method to find the right answers.

Most Rewarding Moments

When students after an hard day of digging are proud and happy of what they have done, because they understood the meaning of this work.

Courses taught at the Institute

History and Politics of Modern Italy
The History & Culture of Food: A Comparative Analysis
The History of Agriculture, Food and Sustainability in Italy

Credentials

M.A., Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule (RWTH), Aachen
Ph.D., European University Institute, Florence (Italy)

Teaching Philosophy

Learning is a life-long endeavor. My goal is to prepare students for this by providing them with a base of knowledge and sophistication upon which they can build, and to encourage in them attitudes and techniques for continued learning. As A. Toffler put it so well, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Most Rewarding Moments

I enjoy teaching ISI students that bring a spirit of curiosity, motivation, and enthusiasm.

Favorite Quote

“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
– Albert Einstein

Courses taught at the Institute

Ancient Rome: Civilization and Legacy
Sport History and Culture

Credentials

Ph.D. in Ancient History, University of Florence, 2004

Relevant Projects / Publications

Ancora su Eschine III, 252, “Dike” 5, 2002, 83-94;
Nota sulla morte degli oratori nel 322 a. C., “Prometheus” 30 (2), 2004, 129-38;
The Law of Eukrates: a “democratic trick?”, “Historia Antigua” 23, 2005, 313-330;
Plutarch and the Age of Demosthenes, “Ploutarchos”, forthcoming.

Teaching Philosophy

A historian (and her students!) cannot escape from dates and names, but I like to give my class something more than this. When I lecture, I try to focus on what students will remember of my class in ten years’ time… they will retain the basic concepts that have shaped also their society, life and culture. The true point of history is that of acting as a mirror for both our past and our future; I try both to help the students discovering that mirror they so often are unaware of, and to be helped by them to look at it from new perspectives.

Most Rewarding Moments

1) Having my ideas challenged by intelligent questions and/or objections
2) Leaning out of the Capitoinel terrace and watching my students enthusiastically recognizing the monuments and buildings of ancient Rome’s landscape

Favorite Quote

If you think you can or think you can’t, you are probably right (Henry Ford).

Courses Taught at the Institute

The Art of Florence: Exploring Visual Culture
The Business of Art: the Economics and Management of Culture

Credentials

Ph.D. Modern Art History – Università degli Studi di Firenze
Laurea cum laude in Modern Art History – Università degli Studi di Firenze

Latest Projects / Publications

– “Larghi d’oro in oro per parte di miniatura”: i Corali Edili 148-151 e l’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore a Firenze, in ‘Medieval Charm: Illuminated Manuscripts for Royal, Aristocratic, and Ecclesiastical Patronage’ by F. Brazès-Moly and F. Marini, International conference proceedings, Florence, ISI Florence, 20 October 2015, Perpignan, forthcoming.

– “Florence – Rome round trip: the Florentine art collecting context and the Salviati” methodus, forthcoming.

– “Catalogo delle opere, biografia, apparati”, in ‘Modigliani’ by R. Chiappini, exhibition catalogue, Genova, Palazzo Ducale, 16 March- 17 July 2017, Milano.

– “John Currin: Paintings”, Gagosian Quarterly Magazine, September 2016.

– “A new Drawing by Mantegna”, in ‘The Burlington Magazine’, 157.2015,1344, pp.155-157

Teaching Philosophy

Applying knowledge while learning and developing critical thinking in the past and current world analysis are fundamental in my teaching method. For this reason, the understanding of Middle Ages and Renaissance Art in Florence and the economic and social mechanisms of the markets for visual arts are achieved in my classes through a mutual exchange with the students, a constant questioning on the causes and the effects of the making, the display and the consumption of art in different cultural, social and geographical contexts.

Most Rewarding Moments

Catching the glimpse of joy in students’ eyes observing closely a major artwork for the first time.

Favorite Quote

‘Intention is the forward-leaning look of things. It is not a reconstituted historical state of mind, then, but a relation between the object and its circumstances.’ – Micheal Baxandall

Courses taught at the Institute

Architecture: Roman to Early Christian
The Art of Florence: Exploring Visual Culture

Credentials

Ph.D. in Economic History (The Art Market in Renaissance Florence) – University of Verona
Specialization Course (Master) in Historical Studies – Istituto Italiano di Studi Storici, Naples
Laurea cum Laude in Renaissance History (Bernardo di Giovanni Rucellai) – University of Florence
Currently student of Renaissance Lute at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole

Latest Projects / Publications

Currently member of the editorial board of Il Liuto, Rivista della Società del Liuto
2000-2002 Post-doctoral Research Fellowship in Economic History, University of Siena
1999 CNR-NATO Research Fellowship, Research Department, Victoria and Albert Museum, London

– “Bernardo Rucellai”, in Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani, Roma, Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, (forthcoming)
– “Il fascino della ‘risonanza’. Viaggio di un’idea tra scienza, platonismo e quabbalah”, in Umanesimo e cultura ebraica nel rinascimento italiano, Proceedings of the International Congress ISI Florence, Palazzo Rucellai, Firenze, 10 March 2016, ed. S. U. Baldassarri – F. Lelli, Firenze, Angelo Pontecorboli, 2016
– “Il liuto di Re Salomone”, in «Il Liuto. Rivista della Società del Liuto», XIII, November 2016
– “Il liuto dalla corda spezzata: pensiero, arte e politica alle origini di un simbolo”, in «Il Liuto. Rivista della Società del Liuto», 10, May 2015
– “Lo studio di Rubens di Cornelis de Baeilleur”, in «Il Liuto. Rivista della Società del Liuto», 8, May 2014
– “Orti Oricellari”, in Enciclopedia Machiavelli, Roma, Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, 2014

Teaching Philosophy

I believe that love and enthusiasm are the two most important ingredients for any class you teach: seeing students responding with joy, parteciaption and interest tells me that what we have learned together will remain for long in our memory and in our spirit.

Most Rewarding Moments

Seeing students leaving the class with a smile in their eyes, and reading the joyful emails they send me once the semester is over and they are back home.

Courses Taught at the Institute

Architecture Design Studio VI
History of Italian Design

Credentials

Laurea in Architettura – Professional Degree in Architecture, 1997
Università degli studi di Firenze
Licensed Architect, Italy
Ordine degli Architetti della provincia di Firenze n° 5283 – 1997

Latest Projects/Publications

www.qart.it
– 2008 sassi turchini: center for accessible holidays ,Porto Azzurro,Isola d’Elba (under construction)
– 2008 modenacambiafaccia urban design competition, Modena, III prize
– 2008 scuola media don milani, design competition for a didactic complex, vicchio, FI, IV prize
– 2007 lipomo design competition for a didactic complex, lipomo, CO, IV prize
– 2006 palestra comunale, Golfo Aranci, OT (built)

Teaching Philosophy

We learn… 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, 50% of what we both see and hear, 70% of what we discussed with others, 80% of what we experience personally, 95% of what we TEACH someone else
– William Glasser

Some assert that you can learn architecture but you can’t teach architecture. It may sound as a justification for not-responsible teachers, but there is something true on that. Architecture is a discipline made of acts of faith, rituals, illuminations more than reassuring univocal formulas. Every moment is a good one, leave doors opened: ideas come also when you are not looking for them. Design for an architect is a vital necessity, extremely involving. If you don’t feel this kind of commitment, you’d better ask yourself if this is the right direction for you: the world is full of bad architects, it’s better not to enlarge that family.

Favorite Teaching Moments

“You are still one of just a couple teachers who really had a strong influence on my thinking.” E.C. (fall ’04);
“I truly can say I was pushed architecturally in ways I have not experienced before from a class- and I loved it. It was an incredible class and it was really great to get to see Italy through your eyes”. A.K. (spring ’06);
“I wanted to thank you for being such a passionate teacher. I really realized when I got home how much i enjoyed your words. You were a good “kick in the ass” to get me through the thesis, so thank you”. D.F. (spring ’06);
“It was definitely a great semester and you opened my eyes to a lot of new possibilities in arch”. G.Z. (spring ’07);
“I feel i have learned so much from you about the life of an architect and especially about presenting and communicating ideas” R.H. (spring ’07).

Favorite Quote

“Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.” – Frank Zappa

Courses Taught at the Institute

Survey and Drawing: Mapping Florence Architecture
Cultural Engagement Practicum Tour Guide for the City Hall (Palazzo Vecchio) Museum
Advanced Architectural Design Studio – Assistant Professor

Credentials

Master of History of Architecture, University of Roma 3, Rome
Laurea in Architettura – Professional Degree in Architecture, Tutela e Recupero del Patrimonio Storico Architettonico, University of Florence

Latest Projects / Publications

2016 – Santa Maria del Carmine in: il quaderno, the ISI Florence Architectural Journal n°01, Spring 2016
2015 – L’architettura raffigurata series of lectures in Palazzo Vecchio, by Mus.e Firenze
2015 – Project office furniture, Mus.e in Palazzo Canacci, Firenze
2014 – Project office furniture, Mus.e in Museo 900, Firenze
2014 – Project library space, Mus.e in Palazzo Vecchio, Firenze
2014 – Furniture design: info desk Mus.e, Santa Marina Novella Church
2013 – Palazzo Vecchio Museum’s Bookshop guideline
2012 – Assistant to the online exhibition Size Matters. Scale and Measure in Photography of the photo library of the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz
2012 – Merchandising design for Palazzo Vecchio Museum’s Bookshop

Teaching Philosophy

I love teaching. Sharing experiences and knowledge with enthusiasm, will bring motivation and curiosity to students and increase the value of their studying abroad time.

Favorite Quote

“Architecture starts when you carefully put two bricks together.”
Ludwing Mies Van Der Rohe

Courses Taught at the Institute

Landscape Architecture: The Villa and the Garden
Architecture in Italy: History and Preservation
Michelangelo: Painter, Sculptor, Architect

Credentials

University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Department of Architectural History, Restoration, and Conservation, Ph.D., Licensed Architect

Latest Projects / Publications

– The Vestibule of the Laurentian Library and Designs for the Staircase, in Michelangelo as an Architect at San Lorenzo, Michelangelo drawing exhibition (Florence, Casa Buonarroti, 2007), Main Curator PIETRO RUSCHI (Exhibition Curator)
– S. CATITTI, “Carlo Scarpa, Poetry and Japanese Architecture”, in Italia e Giappone a confronto. Cultura, psicologia, arti, STEFANO U. BALDASSARRI ed., Florence, Pontecorboli (in preparation, Author)
– S. CATITTI, “Exploring Michelangelo through Exhibitions”, in Monographic Exhibitions and the History of Art, DONATELLA PEGAZZANO and MAIA WELLINGTON GAHTAN, eds., London – New York, Routledge (in press, Author)
– S. CATITTI, “The Laurentian Library. Patronage and Building History,” in San Lorenzo: Architecture, Liturgy, and Art in a Florentine Religious Community, ROBERT GASTON and LOUIS A. WALDMAN eds., Florence, Villa I Tatti, 2017, pp. 380-424 (Author)
– S. CATITTI, “1521-1527: La Sagrestia Nuova e la Biblioteca Laurenziana,” in Michelangelo: Una Vita, PATRIZIO AIELLO ed,. Milan, Officina Libraria, 2014, pp. 163-182 (Author)

Teaching Philosophy

Exposing students to multiple lenses through which one can look at, talk about, and experience architecture, I aim to stimulate their desire to develop their own viewing angle on the topic, according to their own background and interests. I hope that, with their comprehensive Florentine experience, they acquire an approach that, back home, they can apply to multiple subjects.

Most Rewarding Moments

When I see students elaborate on the issues we address in class and on site, and use their knowledge and opinion to discuss our topic with their peers.

Favorite Quote

“Architecture can profoundly affect a place, sometimes transform it. Architecture and any art can transform a person” FRANK O’GEHRY