Academics
Fields of Study: Humanities, Social Sciences
Discover what makes Florence unique by examining Florence's history of marketing, entrepreneurship, business, culture, food, and more. All elective courses include site visits in Florence and beyond that bring each subject to life.
Unique study opportunities
- Take classes with students from across the UC campuses that incorporate site visits and excursions throughout the city.
- Learn about business the Italian way.
- Make tangible memories you can take home through a leather-making workshop, Neapolitan pizza lessons, and a variety of other fun learning activities.
- Use the city of Florence as your muse in a drawing, painting, or photography studio art course.
Language
Language of Instruction: EnglishItalian Language Study: Optional
There are three optional language courses for you to choose from if you wish to study Italian language in Florence:
Exploring Florence: Language and Culture -- Explore Florence’s rich culture and learn the basics of Italian language; the culture section of the course examines the city of Florence through a series of on-site lectures, and the language section gives you the tools and skills to navigate the city and complete tasks in real-life situations and specific contexts.
Elementary Italian -- This is a traditional language course, focusing on the first term of Italian language study. It is available only to students who have not previously taken any Italian language courses at their UC campus.
Intensive Elementary Italian Language Series -- Enroll in three consecutive language courses in the fall. You'll earn the equivalent of a year of Italian language study at a UC. The Intensive Italian Language Series is only available in the fall. It is available only to students who have not previously taken any Italian language courses at their UC campus.
Courses and credit
Requirements While Abroad
To successfully complete this intensive 6-week program:
- Take two courses for a total of 10 quarter/6.6 semester UC units.
- You may take one course pass/no pass.
To successfully complete this program:
- Take a full-time course of study: Four courses for a total of 20 quarter/13.2 semester UC units. (If taking the Intensive Italian Series, UC units will total 23 quarter/15.3 semester)
- You may take one course pass/no pass.
To successfully complete this program:
- Take a full-time course of study: Three courses for a total of 14-15 quarter UC units.
- You may take one course pass/no pass.
To successfully complete this program:
- Take a full-time course of study: Four courses for a total of 20 quarter/13.2 semester UC units.
- During the first 10 weeks, take three elective courses; during the last five weeks of the program, take one intensive elective course.
- You may take one course pass/no pass. If you take one of your courses for pass/no pass in the first 10 weeks of the program, you cannot use the pass/no pass option for the last five-week course.
Current Program Courses
Electives (select two):
Exact offerings may vary depending on enrollment and instructor availability. Final course offerings are announced before the start of the program. Course enrollment is held on a first-come, first-served basis; enrollment in your top course preference is not guaranteed, so be sure to have back-up courses in mind. Recent courses include:
Language Courses
- Exploring Florence: Language and Culture (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Learn basic Italian while studying culture in the piazzas and streets of the Florence. Develop your language skills and discover the history and identity of different areas of the city center as you reflect on real-life scenarios.
Subject area: Italian - Elementary Italian (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units; sufficient enrollment is needed to offer this course)
Buongiorno! Through a focus on key language skills, these interactive classes in the city and in the classroom will help you to communicate with locals and to feel part of the city.
Subject area: Italian
Upper-Division Elective Courses
- Business: The Italian Way previously titled Entrepreneurship: The Italian Way (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Be inspired by the possibilities of entrepreneurship by learning about the Italian business context and iconic figures, from Medici to Ferrari and Armani to Gucci.
Subject areas: Business, Communications, Italian - Identity and Otherness in Western Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Study visual representations in Florence palaces, churches, and museums, and gain insight into the process of self-identification of Western Europeans through the emergence and development of categories of otherness, both in the past and present day.
Subject areas: Art History, Ethnic Studies - Italian Fashion in Communication & Media previously titled Fashion and Media in Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Analyze fashion events, campaigns, exhibitions, shows, PR, and other customer interactions through learning about the intersection of the media system and the fashion system in Italy.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - Made in Italy: Marketing the Italian Style (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Discuss the innovative branding practices of Tuscany-based icons such as Vespa, Gucci, and Chianti to examine the notions of "made in Italy" and Italianness in global marketing.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - The Making of Italian Identity Through Food previously titled Unity in Diversity (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Explore two centuries of Italian history and sociology through the foods that make up the pillars of modern Italian identities.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian, Sociology - Urban Florence through Art, Photography, and Cinema previously titled Florence Overexposed (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Investigate the relationship between a city's structure and the way it is represented in paintings, maps, photographs, and films from the 1200s to today, using Florence as your classroom.
Subject areas: Italian, Film and Media Studies, Urban Studies
You may not elect to take both the Exploring Florence: Language and Culture course, and the Elementary Italian course on your program. You may only select one of these courses if you are interested in taking an Italian language course.
Research and independent study are typically not available on this program.
Electives (select four):
Exact offerings may vary depending on enrollment and instructor availability. Final course offerings are announced before the start of the program. Course enrollment is held on a first-come, first-served basis; enrollment in your top course preferences is not guaranteed, so be sure to have back-up courses in mind. Recent courses include:
Language Courses
- Exploring Florence: Language and Culture (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Learn basic Italian while studying culture in the piazzas and streets of the Florence. Develop your language skills and discover the history and identity of different areas of the city center as you reflect on real-life scenarios.
Subject area: Italian - Elementary Italian (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units; sufficient enrollment is needed to offer this course)
Buongiorno! Through a focus on key language skills, these interactive classes in the city and in the classroom will help you to communicate with locals and to feel part of the city.
Subject area: Italian - Intensive Elementary Italian Language Series (lower-division, 18 quarter/12 semester UC units; three consecutive classes ITAL 11, 12 & 13; select just one additional elective; sufficient enrollment is needed to offer this series)
This interactive and intensive language course is the equivalent of the first year of Italian study and comprises three courses completed over a semester.
Subject area: Italian
Upper-Division Elective Courses
- Bread, Wine & Olive Oil: A Culinary History of Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Examine the evolution and cultural significance of three staple foods of Italian cuisine - bread, wine, and olive oil - from their ancient roots in the Mediterranean to their role in the enogastronomic traditions of Tuscany.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian - Business: The Italian Way previously titled Entrepreneurship The Italian Way (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Be inspired by the possibilities of entrepreneurship by learning about the Italian business context and iconic figures, from Medici to Ferrari and Armani to Gucci.
Subject areas: Business, Communications, Italian - History of Design in Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Explore the design of fashion, objects, transport, and furniture to understand the importance of design both as a part of the Italian economy and as a lens through which the world views Italy.
Subject areas: Art History, Art Studio - Identity and Otherness in Western Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Study visual representations in Florence palaces, churches, and museums, and gain insight into the process of self-identification of Western Europeans through the emergence and development of categories of otherness, both in the past and present day.
Subject areas: Art History, Ethnic Studies - Italian Fashion in Communication & Media previously titled Fashion and Media in Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Analyze fashion events, campaigns, exhibitions, shows, PR, and other customer interactions through learning about the intersection of the media system and the fashion system in Italy.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - Made in Italy: Marketing the Italian Style (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Discuss the innovative branding practices of Tuscany-based icons such as Vespa, Gucci, and Chianti to examine the notions of "made in Italy" and Italianness in global marketing.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - The Making of Italian Identity Through Food previously titled Unity in Diversity (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Explore two centuries of Italian history and sociology through the foods that make up the pillars of modern Italian identities.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian, Sociology - Renaissance Art in Florence previously titled Genius and Innovation in Renaissance Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Go in-depth into the artistic production of Italy from the 14th to 16th centuries, with a special focus on Florence and its social, political, and devotional context.
Subject areas: Art History, Italian - Urban Florence through Art, Photography, and Cinema previously titled Florence Overexposed (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Investigate the relationship between a city's structure and the way it is represented in paintings, maps, photographs, and films from the 1200s to today, using Florence as your classroom.
Subject areas: Italian, Film and Media Studies, Urban Studies - Urban Sustainability in Florence and the Smart City Model previously titled Smart Cities of the Future (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Find the nexus between cities, innovation, and sustainability in this course that, using Florence as a case study, applies economics, technology, and the Smart City Model to envision the city of the future.
Subject areas: Economics, Environmental Studies, Urban Studies
Art Studio Courses
- Beginner Painting in Florence (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Practice the principles of composition, observation, and the use of color in your own work while exploring the history of art in Florence and the many galleries in the city.
Subject area: Art Studio - Foundations of Drawing: Drawing in the City of Florence (beginning level is lower-division, intermediate level is upper-division; 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Investigate the various materials, skills, and expressive issues involved in drawing the city of Florence, its architecture, sculptures, and the human figure from the live model.
Subject area: Art Studio - Photography: Identity and Representation (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Build basic photography skills including composition, light, and technique while considering questions of identity and expression and the use of photos as markers of cultural identification.
Subject area: Art Studio
The Photography, Painting, and Foundations of Drawing studio art courses require students to purchase or own art supplies as listed in the syllabi. The cost of these supplies is out of pocket.
You may enroll in only one of the food courses, either The Making of Italian Identity or Bread, Wine & Olive Oil, not both, and only as long as placements are available. Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis.
You may not elect to take both the Exploring Florence: Language and Culture course, and the Elementary Italian course on your program. You may only select one of these courses, or the Intensive Italian Series, if you are interested in taking an Italian language course.
Research and independent study are typically not available on this program.
Electives (select three):
Exact offerings may vary depending on enrollment and instructor availability. Final course offerings are announced before the start of the program. Course enrollment is held on a first-come, first-served basis; enrollment in your top course preferences is not guaranteed, so be sure to have back-up courses in mind. Recent courses include:
Language Courses
- Exploring Florence: Language and Culture (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Learn basic Italian while studying culture in the piazzas and streets of the Florence. Develop your language skills and discover the history and identity of different areas of the city center as you reflect on real-life scenarios.
Subject area: Italian - Elementary Italian (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units; sufficient enrollment is needed to offer this course)
Buongiorno! Through a focus on key language skills, these interactive classes in the city and in the classroom will help you to communicate with locals and to feel part of the city.
Subject area: Italian
Upper-Division Elective Courses
- Bread, Wine & Olive Oil: A Culinary History of Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Examine the evolution and cultural significance of three staple foods of Italian cuisine - bread, wine, and olive oil - from their ancient roots in the Mediterranean to their role in the enogastronomic traditions of Tuscany.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian - Business: The Italian Way previously titled Entrepreneurship: The Italian Way (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Be inspired by the possibilities of entrepreneurship by learning about the Italian business context and iconic figures, from Medici to Ferrari and Armani to Gucci.
Subject areas: Business, Communications, Italian - Identity and Otherness in Western Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Study visual representations in Florence palaces, churches, and museums, and gain insight into the process of self-identification of Western Europeans through the emergence and development of categories of otherness, both in the past and present day.
Subject areas: Art History, Ethnic Studies - Italian Fashion in Communication & Media previously titled Fashion and Media in Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Analyze fashion events, campaigns, exhibitions, shows, PR, and other customer interactions through learning about the intersection of the media system and the fashion system in Italy.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - Made in Italy: Marketing the Italian Style (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Discuss the innovative branding practices of Tuscany-based icons such as Vespa, Gucci, and Chianti to examine the notions of "made in Italy" and Italianness in global marketing.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - The Making of Italian Identity Through Food previously titled Unity in Diversity (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Explore two centuries of Italian history and sociology through the foods that make up the pillars of modern Italian identities.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian, Sociology - Renaissance Art in Florence previously titled Genius and Innovation in Renaissance Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Go in-depth into the artistic production of Italy from the 14th to 16th centuries, with a special focus on Florence and its social, political, and devotional context.
Subject areas: Art History, Italian - Urban Florence through Art, Photography, and Cinema previously titled Florence Overexposed (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Investigate the relationship between a city's structure and the way it is represented in paintings, maps, photographs, and films from the 1200s to today, using Florence as your classroom.
Subject areas: Italian, Film and Media Studies, Urban Studies - Urban Sustainability in Florence and the Smart City Model previously titled Smart Cities of the Future: The Florence Experience (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Find the nexus between cities, innovation, and sustainability in this course that, using Florence as a case study, applies economics, technology, and the Smart City Model to envision the city of the future.
Subject areas: Economics, Environmental Studies, Urban Studies
Art Studio Courses
- Beginner Painting in Florence (lower-division, 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units)
Practice the principles of composition, observation, and the use of color in your own work while exploring the history of art in Florence and the many galleries in the city.
Subject area: Art Studio - Foundations of Drawing: Drawing in the City of Florence (beginning level is lower-division, intermediate level is upper-division, 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units)
Investigate the various materials, skills, and expressive issues involved in drawing the city of Florence, its architecture, sculptures, and the human figure from the live model.
Subject area: Art Studio - Photography: Identity and Representation (upper-division, 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units)
Build basic photography skills including composition, light, and technique while considering questions of identity and expression and the use of photos as markers of cultural identification.
Subject area: Art Studio
The Photography, Painting, and Drawing studio art courses require students to purchase or own art supplies as listed in the syllabi. The cost of these supplies is out of pocket.
You may enroll in only one of the food courses, either The Making of Italian Identity or Bread, Wine & Olive Oil, not both, and only as long as placements are available. Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis.
You may not elect to take both the Exploring Florence: Language and Culture course, and the Elementary Italian course on your program. You may only select one of these courses if you are interested in taking an Italian language course.
Research and independent study are typically not available on this program.
Electives (select four):
Exact offerings may vary depending on enrollment and instructor availability. Final course offerings are announced before the start of the program. Course enrollment is held on a first-come, first-served basis; enrollment in your top course preferences is not guaranteed, so be sure to have back-up courses in mind. Recent courses include:
Language Courses
- Exploring Florence: Language and Culture (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Learn basic Italian while studying culture in the piazzas and streets of the Florence. Develop your language skills and discover the history and identity of different areas of the city center as you reflect on real-life scenarios.
Subject area: Italian - Elementary Italian (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units; sufficient enrollment is needed to offer this course)
Buongiorno! Through a focus on key language skills, these interactive classes in the city and in the classroom will help you to communicate with locals and to feel part of the city.
Subject area: Italian
Upper-Division Elective Courses
- Bread, Wine & Olive Oil: A Culinary History of Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Examine the evolution and cultural significance of three staple foods of Italian cuisine - bread, wine, and olive oil - from their ancient roots in the Mediterranean to their role in the enogastronomic traditions of Tuscany.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian - Business: The Italian Way previously titled Entrepreneurship: The Italian Way (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Be inspired by the possibilities of entrepreneurship by learning about the Italian business context and iconic figures, from Medici to Ferrari and Armani to Gucci.
Subject areas: Business, Communications, Italian - Identity and Otherness in Western Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Study visual representations in Florence palaces, churches, and museums, and gain insight into the process of self-identification of Western Europeans through the emergence and development of categories of otherness, both in the past and present day.
Subject areas: Art History, Ethnic Studies - Italian Fashion in Communication & Media previously titled Fashion and Media in Italy (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Analyze fashion events, campaigns, exhibitions, shows, PR, and other customer interactions through learning about the intersection of the media system and the fashion system in Italy.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - Made in Italy: Marketing the Italian Style (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Discuss the innovative branding practices of Tuscany-based icons such as Vespa, Gucci, and Chianti to examine the notions of "made in Italy" and Italianness in global marketing.
Subject areas: Communication, Italian - The Making of Italian Identity Through Food previously titled Unity in Diversity (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Explore two centuries of Italian history and sociology through the foods that make up the pillars of modern Italian identities.
Subject areas: Anthropology, History, Italian, Sociology - Renaissance Art in Florence previously titled Genius and Innovation in Renaissance Art (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Go in-depth into the artistic production of Italy from the 14th to 16th centuries, with a special focus on Florence and its social, political, and devotional context.
Subject areas: Art History, Italian - Urban Florence through Art, Photography, and Cinema previously titled Florence Overexposed (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Investigate the relationship between a city's structure and the way it is represented in paintings, maps, photographs, and films from the 1200s to today, using Florence as your classroom.
Subject areas: Italian, Film and Media Studies, Urban Studies - Urban Sustainability in Florence and the Smart City Model previously titled Smart Cities of the Future: The Florence Experience (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Find the nexus between cities, innovation, and sustainability in this course that, using Florence as a case study, applies economics, technology, and the Smart City Model to envision the city of the future.
Subject areas: Economics, Environmental Studies, Urban Studies
Art Studio Courses
- Beginner Painting in Florence (lower-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Practice the principles of composition, observation, and the use of color in your own work while exploring the history of art in Florence and the many galleries in the city.
Subject area: Art Studio - Foundations of Drawing: Drawing in the City of Florence (beginning level is lower-division, intermediate level is upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Investigate the various materials, skills, and expressive issues involved in drawing the city of Florence, its architecture, sculptures, and the human figure from the live model.
Subject area: Art Studio - Photography: Identity and Representation (upper-division, 5 quarter/3.3 semester UC units)
Build basic photography skills including composition, light, and technique while considering questions of identity and expression and the use of photos as markers of cultural identification.
Subject area: Art Studio
The Photography, Painting, and Drawing studio art courses require students to purchase or own art supplies as listed in the syllabi. The cost of these supplies is out of pocket. These courses last the full length of the semester.
You may enroll in only one of the food courses, either The Making of Italian Identity or Bread, Wine & Olive Oil, not both, and only as long as placements are available. Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis.
You may not elect to take both the Exploring Florence: Language and Culture course, and the Elementary Italian course on your program. You may only select one of these courses if you are interested in taking an Italian language course.
Research and independent study are typically not available on this program.
Catalogs and resources
- UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program.
- Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.
Academic culture
You’ll be on this program with other UC students in relatively small classes. Since courses are designed for UC students, regular papers, reports, exams, and projects are all part of the curriculum. Professors are local resident faculty with experience teaching UC students.
The academic workload for this program is demanding. Expect to be in the classroom or on required site visits and excursions from three to six hours per day. You will typically be in class Monday through Thursday, with occasional courses and excursions on Fridays and in the afternoons and evenings. All courses have required readings and assignments that you will complete outside of your classroom hours. You are expected to attend all field exercises and excursions, which are integral components of the courses. This program includes many field trips that require extensive walking on cobblestone streets. You are required to attend class, arrive punctually, and participate actively in your courses. Attendance is taken at every course meeting.
The studio art courses offered in the fall, winter, and spring have a strict attendance policy. If you miss more than one class meeting for courses meeting once a week or two class meetings for courses meeting more than once a week without evidence of medical need, your final grade for the class will be dropped by a third of a letter grade for each extra absence.
Grades
You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades are typically available mid-September for the summer, late January for the fall semester, late April for the winter quarter, and late May for the spring semester.