Fall Break in Italy:
Art and Architecture of Venice and the Veneto

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Program Overview

The City of Venice is crowded, wet, and typically visited for no more than 48 hours on a commercially driven tour of the top three cities of Italy (including Rome and Florence). This intenisive study tour will provide students with opportunities to explore the dynamic blend of medieval, renaissance, baroque and modern architecture and urban design with three experienced faculty members of the Drexel Architecture Program.

The development and somewhat miraculous survival of Venice, built on long submerged sandbars in a large lagoon at the northwestern end of the Adriatic will be investigated and understood through learning about construction and restoration technology. As a dominant center of trade, and governed by a unique yet not always transparent system of leadership, Venice was a wealthy and global hub of commerce and trade which inspired great art and architecture. Occupied for centuries by immigrants as well as local families who settled and built the city, Venice dominated the Mediterranean with it’s powerful navy. Despite great wealth, working people lived in relative prosperity. The second part of the trip will be spent exploring the surrounding territory of the Veneto while being based in Vicenza, 75 kilometers west of Venice. Vicenza is most known for the work of Andrea Palladio, the Renaissance architect widely considered to be one of the most influential designers of western architecture. Three day trips to Mantova, Padova and Verona will provide access to important centers of urban and architectural practice, both historic and contemporary.

This course will prepare students during the summer prior to the trip with lectures about the development of Venice and environs, and the significant art architectural and urban design. A required text and the development of an individual research paper will allow for both a general basis of knowledge and a specific investigation into a self-selected topic will offer rigor and accountability. Sketching on site will help the students understand and remember this unique experience.
 

Academics

Credit/Registration: ARCH 347/ARCH T680 (WI) Intensive Study Tour . The course satisfies the History/Theory in the architectural curriculum and humanities for other majors. This course will apply as summer credit, and students must leave room for the 3 credits in their summer credit load as the credits are not optional.

Pre-requisites: ARCH 143 or INTR 200 or ARTH 103 [ all Min Grade: C-]

Pre-Travel Required Lectures: Several required summer term class sessions will be held on campus to learn about the history, art and architecture of Venice. Students will be assigned research topics and will be required to report on their research on site in Italy. Additionally, sketching exercises will help students record their experience visually. 

Instructors:
Rachel Schade schadesr@drexel.edu
Mark Brack brackml@drexel.edu
Ulrike Altenmuller ua27@drexel.edu

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Program Calendar

Arrival Date: September 8, 2024
Departure Date: September 20, 2024
*Students may extend their travel independently before or after program dates.

Summer Term Class Meetings:
Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8 , Week 10

Itinerary Overview (Tentative)

Sunday, 9/8: Meet at accommodation at 3 pm for check-in (to be confirmed), program starts at 6 pm; group dinner
Monday, 9/9 Introduction to Venice, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, San Giacomo di Rialto, Fondazione Querini Stampaglia
Tuesday, 9/10 Biennale and Arsenale
Wednesday, 9/ 11 San Marco and San Polo Sestiere
Thursday, 9/12 Santa Croce and Dorsoduro
Friday, 9/13 The Brenta and Mestre
Saturday, 9/14 Check out from accommodations at 8:00 am, meet coach at Venice Tronchetto terminal, travel to Altivole, Maser, arrive Vicenza and check into accommodations.
Sunday, 9/15 Explore city of Vicenza, including the Villa Rotunda
Monday, 9/16 Explore Vicenza environs, including country estates
Tuesday, 9/17 Meet coach for trip to Mantova; Palazzo del Te, Palazzo Ducale, Sant’ Andrea
Wednesday, 9/18 Meet at Vicenza train station for travel to Verona: Arena, Museo Castelvecchio, Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, Giardini Giusti. Return to Vicenza
Thursday, 9/19 Meet at Vicenza train station for travel to Padova: Palazzo della Ragione, Orte Botanico, Palazzo Bo, Scrovegni Chapel. Group dinner. Return train to Vicenza. Prepare for departure. Check-out from accommodations
Friday, 9/20 Early coach departure for Marco Polo Airport Venice, individual travel to US.

*Itinerary subject to change

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Program Fee - $1695

Due May 1, 2024 - $500 Advance Payment
Due July 1, 2024 - $1195 Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.

Included in Program Fee:

• Accommodations in Venice
• Local transport including trains and coach bus
• 2 group dinners
• Tours and program activities
• Entry fees to all museums, exhibits, etc.
• Day trips to neighboring towns
• On Call Emergency Assistance Insurance

Not Included in Program Fee (Estimated):

• Round trip airfare to Venice $1000
• Passport $145
• Visa (if applicable)
• Meals ($40/day) $480
• International Student ID Card $25
• Incidental admissions fees $50
• Course materials $75
• Spending money $200

ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students’ eligible for additional financial aid.  Students may also be eligible to apply for Architecture & Interior sponsored scholarships or Drexel's standard ICA Scholarships.

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More Information

• Visa: US citizens are not required to have a visa for entry to Italy. Other nationalities should check the Italian Embassy website for visa requirements.
• A recommended flight itinerary will be provided. Students are responsible for booking their own airfare.
• Grading Scale