Learn and Practice Intermediate Language and Culture in Sicily

We have regretfully canceled this course due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

 

Please use this page to gather general information for future courses only. 

Learning Intermediate Italian Language and Culture in Sicily means understanding a mix of cultures, which were established in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea for the same reason: its undisguised beauty. Sicilians, just like their land, are the human representation of this cultural mix and their friendliness make it the best place to practice Italian and learn about their history, food and traditions. immerse yourself in a warm and pleasant atmosphere where you learn, nearly effortlessly as you endeavor to understand why you have never thought to come and live for an entire month in this beautiful island.

You will earn six credits, participate in day trips and an organized weekend together to a variety of cultural activities.

Housing:

Rooms at Hotel Garibaldi in Palermo, a four star Hotel. A full American style breakfast is included every morning. A wide variety of inexpensive and moderately - priced restaurants and cafés are within easy walking of the Hotel. Some of the lunches will be held at the/close by the school after class.

 

Apply: Dr. Rosario Pollicino – pollicir@mailbox.sc.edu

General Description of the course:

This course has two primary objectives, which reinforce each other: to communicate in Italian on an upper intermediate level in writing, as well as in conversations with others, and to investigate the many facets of Italian culture through literary, journalistic, and cultural readings; film and news videos; music; art; and culinary presentations. Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate understanding of and interpret the body and details of written and spoken communication in the present tense, three past tenses, and future tense on topics of personal interest such as one’s immediate environment, background, friends, family, pets, hobbies, sports, travel, home and university life, shopping, and food. Students should also demonstrate understanding of cultural information on Italy and Italians throughout the global community as well as a better understanding of academic areas such as history, geography, art, anthropology, music, and literature.

Credit: 
Six hours of UofSC undergraduate credit. They cover a lot of different credits requirements such as the Carolina Core, Experiential Learning,

Faculty: 
Dr. Rosario  Pollicino, a faculty member from the University of South Carolina, will teach the course and will be in residence and he will oversee the program and participants' general well-being.

INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT: Class will meet every day, Monday to Thursday from 9:30AM to 12:30 PM with 15m coffee breaks in between. Meetings based on a communicative approach will be divided between, class discussions, short readings, presentations and guest speakers. Sight visits will be conducted during afternoons and weekends.

Out of Class Activities:

• Interviews to Local Business Owners
• Exploring Traditional Sicilian Cuisine and the influence by Arabic food
• Learning about the tradition of Sicilian Ice-Cream
• Learning about Sicilian Ceramics
• Exploring Palermo’s way of life
• Exploring the famous fresh food market of Palermo

 

List of Site Visits:

• General Tour of Palermo
• Mosaics of Palermo
• Palermo’s Folklore – “Il Festino”
• Cefalú
• Taormina
• Siracusa & Greek Theatre
• Ragusa Ibla and Noto
• Trip to Mount Etna
• Trips to Locations of Screened Movies
• Agrigento: The Valley of Temples