Faculty-led, world-focused

Penn State faculty-led programs offer students the guidance of trusted faculty, with the freedom to explore the world. Our faculty will create the ideal itinerary for you.

Rome, "the eternal city," is a magnificent example of cultural continuity. Now more than 2,700 years old, Rome was the heart of classical civilization and antiquity in the Western world. Evidence of life throughout these years are found in the modern city: a Roman bridge with an archaic Latin inscription; a modern wall built into a medieval wall, itself built into a pre-Roman wall; a column from a Roman temple holding up the ceiling of a medieval church; richly decorated tombs of pre-Roman peoples, the Etruscan; and in nearby Tuscany, remains places of worship, entertainment, leisure, business, and pleasure. The city of Rome and its environs hold all of these and more, and they are waiting for students who enroll in the Rome program.

The itinerary and logistics of this study tour have been designed by faculty in the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies at Penn State. The program is designed specifically to enhance and extend previous classroom studies by a unique travel experience, through which students can earn 3 or 6 credits. The program aims at offering qualified students an opportunity to study firsthand the physical remains of ancient Roman cities in central Italy.

The students will stay in the heart of Rome, within walking distance of many ancient remains, museums, and other cultural sites. The daily activities will be built around visits to the important archaeological and museum sites in Rome and at other nearby sites (the Roman port and suburb of Ostia, for example). There also will be a three-night trip to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other important sites (often not accessible to the average tourist) around the Bay of Naples.

In Rome the students will visit the Roman Forum, the Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, and the Baths of Caracalla. Guided tours to several museums — the Capitoline Museum, the Vatican Museums, and the Museo Nazionale Romano — form an essential component of the program. In addition, there will be opportunities to visit several early Christian churches and sites.

Historical and archaeological lectures will accompany each site visit. The students will be required to participate actively in site and museum visits, based upon readings assigned and other exercises.

Application deadline is February 18, 2010. Participation is limited to twenty students.

Courses Offered

CAMS/HIST 199 Roman Cities (3 credits)
This course fulfills a general education or bachelor of arts degree requirement in humanities for Liberal Arts students; students majoring in history or classics and ancient Mediterranean studies may count this course toward their requirements.

CAMS/HIST 499 Foreign Study (3 credits) (optional)
This course is offered as an option for students to earn an additional 3 credits. The students will be required to write a research paper on an approved topic. The course fulfills a requirement for all students majoring in history or classics and ancient Mediterranean studies.

All participants in the Rome study tour must enroll in CAMS/HIST 199 Roman Cities. The students also can enroll in CAMS/HIST 499 Foreign Study, for a total of 6 credits.

Eligibility

The program is open to all students with a minimum 2.5 grade-point average. Applicants are considered on a continuous, first-come, first-served basis. Students are encouraged to apply early, as enrollment is limited.

Preference for admission will be given to those who have completed one of the following courses (or an equivalent): HIST/CAMS 101 The Roman Republic and Empire; CAMS 033 Roman Civilization; CAMS 150 Classical Archaeology — Ancient Rome; Latin or Greek at any level.

Faculty

Philip Baldi, professor of Linguistics and Classics, is co-directing the Rome Summer Education Abroad Program with Garrett Fagan for the fourth time. Professor Baldi is a specialist in the history and structure of Latin and its connection with the other ancient Latin languages of Europe and Western Asia. He also has done extensive work on the non-Latin languages of ancient Italy, including Oscan and Umbrian. He has taught and lectured at various universities in Italy, including Bologna, Naples, Milan, Pavia, and Rome. He recently published, with an Italian colleague, the first volume of a four-volume work on the historical syntax of Latin.

Garrett G. Fagan is associate professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and History at Penn State. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and McMaster University, Canada. His main research interests are in the field of Roman history, on which he has published a book (Bathing in Public in the Roman World [1999]) and numerous scholarly articles. His second monograph, on spectatorship at the Roman arena, is in progress. In addition, he is interested in the phenomenon of pseudoarchaeology and has published articles, organized conference panels, and edited a book studying the topic. He has appeared on the acclaimed PBS science series Nova and on the History Channel and has produced three courses with The Teaching Company, on the History of Ancient Rome, Emperors of Rome, and Great Battles of the Ancient World.

Expenses

The total program fee includes two components: tuition (based on the number of credits) and a class fee (based on activities and location). All the students will pay the in-state tuition rate for 2010 Summer Abroad programs. All the students will pay for 3 credits of tuition. Students who choose to take CAMS/HIST 499 will pay for an additional 3 credits.

Expenses NOT covered are:

• passport
• personal expenses
• optional excursions
• round-trip airfare (approximately $1,000 plus tax)
• some meals
• textbooks and supplies

Estimated Tuition

Out-of-state students will be charged the out-of-state tuition rate until the first day of the program. At that time, the students’ bursar account will be adjusted to reflect the in-state tuition rate of $613 per credit.

In-state students will pay tuition according to their standing and the Penn State tuition schedule.

Tuition (3 credits) $1,839 in-state/out-of-state
Tuition (6 credits) $3,678 in-state/out-of-state

The University reserves the right to revise the schedule of tuition and charges without further notice. For more information on tuition, visit http://tuition.psu.edu.

Class Fee

The class fee of $2,695 ($1,000 nonrefundable deposit applies to class fee) will be posted mid-November. It includes lodging in Rome and Sorrento, breakfast, transportation within Italy, two group meals, and administrative costs.

Estimated Total Program Fee

Total Program Fee (3 credits) The program fee of $4,534 includes tuition as well as the class fee.
Total Program Fee (6 credits) The program fee of $6,373 includes tuition as well as the class fee.

Financial Aid

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.

Refunds

All cancellations must be received by the conference planner, in writing, by mail or fax. Do not use eLion; it does not remove you from the course, and you will be held responsible for all fees. Full refunds minus the non refundable $1,000 application fee will be made for cancellations received at least thirty days prior to the first day of the program. Refund requests made after that time will not be honored, and the participant or sponsoring organization will be responsible for the fees.

Information Technology Fee: 1 to 4.5 credits, $78; 5 to 8.5 credits, $170; 9 or more credits, $230

For passport information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport/index.html.

How to Apply

Financial assistance: The Student Support Initiative for Penn State undergraduates enrolling in our Summer Education Abroad programs will continue for summer 2010. If you would like to be considered for such an award, please indicate this in the required short essay you will submit with your application. Include the reasons why you should receive financial assistance.

Submit your online application through Penn State Education Abroad.

Application Deadline: February 18, 2010

Cancellation: The University may cancel or postpone any course or activity because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a program is canceled or postponed, the University will refund registration fees but cannot be held responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses, including cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies.

Access: Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the conference planner at 814-863-1738.

Space may be available after the application deadline. Please contact the conference planner to determine availability and/or to be added to the waiting list.

Contact Us

Regarding program content:
Dr. Phil Baldi
The Pennsylvania State University
323 Weaver Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-7891
Fax: 814-863-7840
E-mail: phb@psu.edu

Dr. Garrett Fagan
The Pennsylvania State University
321 Weaver Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-0091
E-mail: ggf2@psu.edu

Regarding application process:
John Farris, Conference Planner
The Pennsylvania State University
225 The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-1738
Fax: 814-865-3749
E-mail: ConferenceInfo2@outreach.psu.edu

Regarding financial aid:
Office of Student Aid
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-6301

For alternative grant, loan, and minority and Whole World scholarship information, visit the Education Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships Web page.