Cross-cultural Psychology in Perugia, Italy
Summer 2010: May 16 to June 4
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.
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 the Shenandoah Valley 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, students will travel to Perugia, Italy, where they will stay for the first 12 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 include lectures, guided tours, journal assignments and/or papers, tests/exams and presentations.
Tentative course offerings:
PSYC 400: Topics is Cross-Cultural Psychology, (3)
Accommodations
Students will reside in hotels in Perugia and Florence, Italy. 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. Applicants must have a 2.5 minimum GPA, rising Junior or Senior standing and a minimum of 15 hours of psychology coursework, including GPSYC 101. Program participants must enroll in PSYC 290 in spring semester 2010.
For More Information
For additional information about the Perugia program, please contact the program directors:
William F. "Bill" Evans
Associate Professor
Psychology
Tel: 540-568-6373
E-mail: evanswf@jmu.edu
Ashton Trice
Professor
Graduate Psychology
Tel: 540-568-8189
E-mail: tricead@jmu.edu
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