About the Program
Study aesthetics, social cooperation, cultural and environmental economics; analyze the role of beauty in building attention, care, and community; learn about Italian culture and art.
Program Structure
The program includes daily course lectures, smaller discussion sections, and guest lectures during the week, as well as numerous field trips, excursions, and activities that allow you to delve into Italy’s artistic heritage and contemporary society. No knowledge of Italian or prior coursework in the humanities or economics is required to apply to this program.
Note: Non-credit Italian language instruction is available for interested students and is recommended for all participants.
To learn more, visit the program website.
ITAL S-190 counts as one full-year course (8 credits) of degree credit.
ITAL S-190 Study Abroad in Italy: Beauty, Innovation, and Sustainability
Francesco Erspamer, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard University
8 credits
UN, GR Limited enrollment.
The purpose of this course is to show that aesthetics and culture are essential for authentic innovation, community-building, and sustainable development. Students read and discuss the main philosophers and writers that have defined the concept of beauty, from Homer, Plato, and Immanuel Kant to Martha Nussbaum, Elaine Scarry, and Byung-Chul Han—and reflect upon the connection between beauty and the other two main values in the philosophical tradition, truth and goodness. Other topics that we address include cultural and environmental economics, political philosophy, Italian culture, rhetoric and etymology, fiction, fashion and identity design, tradition, good manners, mutual enterprises, cultural agency, comics and video games, visual anthropology. Outside the classroom, numerous activities and trips constitute an integral part of the course. We visit museums, castles and cathedrals, natural parks, and contemporary cultural spaces; We watch and discuss eight masterpieces of Italian cinema; we taste DOCG wines, DOP olive oil, and aged vinegar; we learn the techniques for making espresso; we bike the Lucca city walls, spend a weekend on a lake in the Alps and visit a nearby sustainable farm. In Siena, students will be deeply involved in the local community; each of them will be invited to join one of the city’s contrade (wards) and participate in the preparation for the Palio, the horse race which has been the city’s most important event for centuries. A detailed syllabus can be found here.
Where You'll Live and Study
You will spend almost three weeks in Turin, known for its baroque architecture, art-nouveau cafes, and quality food and wine; more than two weeks in Trentino, a region famous for the Dolomite mountains and for its cooperative economy; and four weeks in Siena, a perfectly preserved medieval city that every summer hosts its centuries-old horse race, the Palio. These contrasting Italian cities are the ideal context for experiencing and examining beauty. While the program is in session, personal travel outside of Italy is not allowed.
Accommodations
In Turin, you will stay in studio apartments at the Santa Giulia Hotel and Residence, a recently renovated 19th-century building located in the lively Vanchiglia district, a fifteen-minute walk to the city center. Each apartment accommodates two students and has a private bathroom, free wi-fi, TV, air conditioning and a fully equipped kitchenette. Classes will be held at the University of Turin (an eight-minute walk away) and at the Scienza Nuova Research Institute, which can be reached by a twenty-minute bus ride.
In Trento, you will stay at the elegant Grand Hotel Trento, in the old town center. All double rooms have a private bathroom, air conditioning, and free wi-fi. Classes will be held in nearby locations.
In Siena, you will stay at the Refugio, a 16th-century former convent located in the historic center — a five-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. All double rooms have private bathrooms and free wi-fi; they do not have air conditioning but do have fans. Students have access to the common areas of the Refugio and to the gardens. Classes will be held in a nearby building of the Università di Siena.
Application
To apply, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have completed at least one year of college or be a first-year student
- Be in good academic standing
Students enrolled at any accredited university are welcome to apply. See the How to Apply page for more information.
The Summer 2025 application is available via the “Apply Now” link at the top of the page. Applications are due on January 30, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
Each program has unique requirements included in the online application. Beginning your application early is the best way to ensure that you have sufficient time to review and complete the application requirements by the deadline.
You may apply to no more than two programs; if applying to two programs, you will be asked to rank your two applications in order of preference (first and second choice). Any applications submitted in excess of the maximum of two will be automatically withdrawn. You will be notified of your admissions status in each program in early March.
A complete online application includes:
- Basic personal information
- A statement of interest
- Your most recent transcript
- Program-specific requirements (if applicable; may include letters of recommendation, etc.)
Interviews may be requested at the discretion of the program.
Be sure to read about the funding options available for Harvard Summer School Study Abroad programs.
If you have questions about the application, please contact the Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Office by email at SummerAbroad@Summer.Harvard.edu.
Cost & Expenses
The program fee includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodations
- Scheduled program activities
- Some meals (the program will provide further details)
You will also need to budget for a number of expenses not covered by the program fee. The amounts listed below for these out-of-pocket expenses are approximate, and you may incur additional expenses not noted here. Your actual expenses will depend on a number of factors, including personal spending habits and currency exchange rates. Note that expense categories — especially airfare — may be subject to significant fluctuations.
- International airfare ($1,600–$2,000)
- Ground transportation ($250)
- Meals ($1,500)
- Personal expenditures, communications, course materials, and miscellaneous ($600)
If you have specific questions about personal budgeting, please contact the program directly.
See Funding and Payment for information on how to submit payments and funding options.
Additional Information
- Questions? Contact Francesco Erspamer at Erspamer@fas.Harvard.edu.
- Need an accommodation? See Students in Need of Accommodations to request one through the Accessibility Services Office.
- Accepted to the program? See Admitted Students for information about predeparture requirements.
