Cross-Cultural Psychology in Perugia, Italy

Summer 2012: May 14 to May 31 (tentative dates)

Program Location

Perugia is an ancient hilltop city of 170,000 people, the capital of Umbria, midway between Florence and Rome. It was originally settled by the Etruscans; conquered by Augustus around the time of Christ; became an important political power and cultural center in the middle ages; was subdued by Pope Paul IV in the Guelf-Ghibiline wars; and is now a major University city. It is where the painter Raphael did his apprenticeship with the Renaissance master Perugino. The cathedral's main relic is Mary's wedding ring. It hosts the Umbrian Jazz Festival and it's the starting point of the major Italian bicycle race. It is breathtakingly beautiful, and crammed full of international students who attend the Universita' degli Stranieri- the state University for "Foreigners". Perugia is not only an interesting city in itself, but it is located conveniently close to many major cultural sites which we will visit, including Assisi- the home of St. Francis and the location of the major medieval art masterpieces by Giotto and Simone Martini; Cortona- made recently famous by the book and movie Under the Tuscan Sun; Florence - the birthplace of the Renaissance; and Siena - the major enemy of Florence, stuck forever in the middle ages because of the 14th-century plague. Perugia is now famous for its evening Passagiata- an evening flirt, in which as many as 30,000 people come to meet and greet on top of the hill in the evening.

Tentative Itinerary: Perugia, Assisi, Torgiano, Duruta, Gubbio, Lake Trasemeno, Cortona, Todi, Orvieto, Rome, Siena, Pisa, Florence

Academic Program

This program is a travel-study course in which students will study principles of cross-cultural psychology and learn to make and interpret comparisons between social institutions and behavior in America and venues in Italy. The program begins with an 8-week block class during the Spring Semester, with lectures about and trips to various places in the area, such as schools, churches, and museums. During the first week of summer school, students will travel to Perugia, Italy, where they will stay for the first 13 days; we will visit such sites as the Umbrian National Museum, a monastery, schools and universities, Etruscan sites and various public monuments. The final 5 days in Italy will be spent in Florence, visiting sites such as churches, museums, and the Medici Palaces.

Instructional methods: Both lectures and guided tours will be offered in Italy.  Students will be assessed using quizzes on assigned readings during the spring semester prep class.  While abroad, students will be graded on an oral presentation, daily journal entries, and a final reflection paper.  Active participation will be a large percentage of the final grade.

Tentative course offerings:
PSYC 200/400: Cross-Cultural Psychology in Italy, (3)

ITALY 2012 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES

SUN (5/13) Flight to ITALY
MON (5/14) Arrive in FLORENCE ~NOON, Bus leaves at 12:30, Arrive PERUGIA ~ 3PM 

                     ~ 5 PM walking orientation tour
TUE (5/15) PERUGIA Fountain; Cathedral; Universities; Etruscan Arch
WED (5/16) ASSISI Basilica of St. Francis; Cathedral of St. Claire
THU (5/17) TORGIANO Wine and Olive Oil Museums; DERUTA Ceramics Museum
FRI (5/18) PERUGIAWall Museum; Temple of St. Michael; Etruscan Well
SAT (5/19) ROME Coliseum, Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain; St. Peter’s Basilica
SUN (5/20) LAKE TRASIMENO Leisure at the Lake (weather permitting)
MON (5/21) GUBBIO Funicular, Roman Theatre, Umbrian Museum
TUE (5/22) TODI a beautiful Umbrian hill town; ORVIETO Cathedral
WED (5/23) CORTONA a beautiful hill town in Tuscany
THU (5/24) PERUGIA St. Dominican; St. Pietro; Archeological Museum
FRI (5/25) SIENA Town Hall; Cathedral; Bruco Contrada
SAT (5/26) PERUGIA Lower city excursion; Perugina Chocolate Factory; pack for travel to Florence
SUN (5/27) move to FLORENCE Orientation Walk; Piazza of Michelangelo
MON (5/28) FLORENCE, Uffizi Galleries; Santa Croce; Duomo; Baptistry
TUE (5/29) PISA Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Baptistry, Cemetery; (VIAREGGIO-optional)
WED (5/30) FLORENCE, University Academia/David Sculpture; San Marco; St. Lorenzo; The official program ends following our evening meal together as a class
THU (5/31) Return home to USA, via FLORENCE Airport

Accommodations

Housing will be at the Hotel Priori in Perugia (13 nights) and the Hotel Columba in Florence (5 nights). Both hotels offer complimentary wi-fi internet access. Group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, a personal interview will be required with the faculty director. Applicants must have a 2.5 minimum GPA, rising Junior or Senior standing. The course prerequisites include: for PSYC 200: GPSYC 101 or PSYC 160; For PSYC 400: At least one Natural Science and one Social Science PSYC area class. Foreign language proficiency is preferred but not required.  

For More Information

For additional information about the Perugia program, please contact the program director:

William F. "Bill" Evans
Associate Professor
Psychology
Tel: 540-568-6373
E-mail: evanswf@jmu.edu