Nov 14, 2024

Unexpected Paths to Our Place in Florence

Makinley Baker, Luke Castrina, Allison Giammona, Nora Hoose, Cate Lalonde, Eric Melder, Stella Nicholson, Daniela Wood.  

A group of GIF students delivered the speech “Unexpected Paths to Our Place in Florence” at the international conference “The World in Florence”. It is the Gonzaga in Florence extracurricular activity "My Place in Florence", connected to the class Cross Cultural Communication. This is the introduction of their intervention:
“We are a group of students from America. In this presentation are the places that, during our first week in Florence, for different reasons and in different ways, captured our attention. These spots might not be hidden or classically “authentic” but they are experiences that put the ground beneath our feet in Italy. The tourism industry seeks to create a stereotypical version of what Italy is and can be. But these places, though unequivocally Italian, cannot be understood or maybe even found in a guidebook. In our eyes, these places have shaped our own version of Italy, one that is unique and lasting in our memory.”
Students at the end of their speech were interviewed by a local journalist.


You have done a great job: BRAVISSIMI! The speech was clear, simple, spontaneous and profound. I believe your performance was by far the best one. I am very proud of you. GRAZIE a: Makinley Baker, Luke Castrina, Allison Giammona, Nora Hoose, Cate Lalonde, Eric Melder, Stella Nicholson, Daniela Wood.  

Oct 30, 2024

Cross Cultural Communication

Course Description
The aim of the course is to introduce the concepts of communication and culture, and to develop an understanding of communicative processes across cultural boundaries. After a brief review of the main theoretical approaches, we will deepen the so called “ritual” approach and examine key media representation of cultural experience abroad in Florence, Italy and Europe.

Method
The instructor, during class time, will take students to places in Florence that are meaningful for him. Students, at one point of the semester, will take the lead and bring the class to their significant places. In both cases we will carry out simple exercises: observing, taking short notes, pictures and videos. Students will then write the short story of their studying abroad experience.

- This course genuinely supports students’ cultural and communicative experiences abroad.
- In this course no activity will be carried out outside class time. There will be no field trips on Fridays or during the weekend.

You can download the full syllabus HERE.

Sociology of Italian Culture

Course Description
The aim of the course is to introduce the concept of culture in the sociological and anthropological sense. After clarifying the meaning of the word ‘culture’, other related concepts will be analyzed: values, norms, lifestyles, attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes. Concepts and methods learnt in the first part of the course will be applied to Italian culture to identify its specific features. Italian-ness will be compared with traits of the American, Northern European and Mediterranean cultural heritage.

Method
The instructor, during class time, will take students to places in Florence that are meaningful for him. Students, at one point of the semester, will take the lead and bring the class to their significant places. In both cases we will carry out simple exercises: observing, taking short notes, pictures and videos. Students will then write the short story of their studying abroad experience.

- This course genuinely supports students’ cultural and social experiences abroad.
- In this course no activity will be carried out outside class time. There will be no field trips on Fridays or during the weekend.

You can download the full syllabus HERE.


Jun 26, 2024

Identity & Culture, Summer 2024

Maryam Abu-Hasaballah, Nicole Brager, Santino Chiaro, Madeline Current, Morgan Gates, Michael Gumino, Nathaniel Keoppel, Shane Knezovic, Mataya Licata, Marissa Sprouse.

Apr 22, 2024

Communication & Global Competence, Spring 2024

Rebecca Beal, Lily Bennett, Sophie Bickmore, Ashley Bluestein, Alexandra Boyer, Zoe Bustin, Jordyn Cerullo, Sami Chernawsky, Isabella Cleffi, Eleanor Dorf, Emma Levine, Olivia Miller, Jam Pineda, Gabriella Ramsey, Milana Salaya, Elle Schumacher, Ava Shelton, Charlotte Smith, Ryan Steinberg, Payton Turbow, Kyle Veyna, Allyson Weiss, Grant Young.

Apr 19, 2024

Communication & Global Competence

Cooper Angell, Jane Davis, Caleb Divelbiss, Jordan Gold, Ava Hausle, Evan Hoover, Sonoma Howell, Colin Miller, Robert Morgan, Grace Novak, Zachary Ohrn,  Kylie Peppelman, Daisy Robertson, Shelby Schlactus.

 

Apr 17, 2024

Cross Cultural Communication, Spring 2024

Ella Kapust, Margot Laux, Sarah Lawson, Jaden Lum, Jeyna Molloy, Mia Oravetz

Sociology of the Arts, Spring 2024

Stephanie Antonios, Skylar Carey, Reagan Cole, Hailey Correia, Hope Crispell, Alexi Danesco, Madeline Ficca, Valerie Fulcar Gomez, Tess Gianoulis, Lore Gibson, Sarah Klepesch, Eve Kogon, Sarah Meronek, Hailey Schifano, Caroline Silberberg