A new Art 102 class has been scheduled to take place this summer in a program called “Study in Italy” located in Genoa, Italy. This class will last from June 20 through July 19.
The course will be taught four days a week for approximately five hours each day. The curriculum will focus on Western art as well as art from the late Gothic period through modern times.
Rodrigo Gutierrez, a 21-year-old business administration major at Pierce said he has seen flyers posted all around campus regarding the trip.
“It’s great to have a class where anybody can study halfway around the world, meet new people, possibly fall in love, go sightseeing and have the most exciting adventurous time with other classmates,” Gutierrez said.
In order to attend, each student is responsible for paying $3,800 which includes a stay in a shared apartment, located near the school in a safe area. The organizer of the program is art professor Constance Moffatt.
In addition to the stay, the fee also includes a three-day trip to Florence, a day trip to Milan, local excursions and a 12-hour crash course in Italian.
The $3,800 fee does not include airfare, transportation, food or the student fees that Pierce charges per unit taken.
As of now, Moffatt doesn’t have any plans to offer any group discounts or organize a group flight. She does encourage students to apply for scholarships or grants in order to save up money to use toward their expenses.
There are no prerequisites to take Art 102 and it is available to anyone who wishes to sign up, even if they are not Pierce students, said Mary Anne Gavarra-Oh, dean of academic affairs at Pierce.
In order to add the class, however, each student must receive an add slip from Moffatt in order to avoid any misunderstandings from students that are not aware the class is overseas.
Similar opportunities might become available in upcoming semesters that might cost less, according to Gavarra-Oh.
“We’re trying to make it more affordable and maybe setup a foundation account in the future where parents can contribute and help students,” Gavarra-Oh said.
The deadline to pay the full amount has been scheduled for Apr. 30, according to Moffatt. However, if payment plans are needed, she encourages students to contact her right away in order to have everything completed by then.
Allison Hodgson, a former Pierce student who attended the class the last time it was offered in Italy in 2007, said her trip influenced her decision to study art history after graduating.
“It was a priceless experience and anyone would be so lucky. I mean, who doesn’t want to spend a month in Italy?” Hodgson said.
Hodgson also said that having a visual of what she was studying impacted her learning.
“When you see Cimabue and Giotto paintings in person, and the statue of David is three feet away, you are able to experience a whole new level of the art you’ve studied,” Hodgson said. “You notice texture and depth. Seeing these beautiful works in person is life altering.”
