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Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore Italian language, history, and culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and the opportunity to take courses at Università degli Studi di Siena enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
You must take 15–19 credits per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. The course options that are available to you are determined by language proficiency.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional components:
- IES Abroad Italian language course (required, 4 credits)
- English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad area studies courses
- Italian-taught courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena (credits vary, optional)
If you have at least 4 semesters of college-level Italian, on-site staff may recommend you for enrollment in one or two courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena. - English-taught Business or Economics courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena (4.5 credits each, optional)
- Internship placement and accompanying seminar (3 credits, optional)
Signature Course
Living Siena: Exploring Historical & Contemporary Tuscan Culture
- Piazzas and cathedrals inside Siena’s medieval city walls
- Famous works of Renaissance art in nearby Florence
- The Idyllic Tuscan countryside
Courses
This is a full list of courses offered in Siena. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings for your term in your MyIESabroad account. The final course list for each term will depend on faculty availability, students interested in each course, and discipline diversity.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 331 - Renaissance Art and Patronage: Comparing Siena and Florence | Spring | English | 3 |
| HS/AH/CU 390 - Living Siena: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Tuscan Culture | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS/AH/CU 390 - Living Siena: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Tuscan Culture | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC 320 - Italy and the Economic Integration of Europe | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 360 - Italian Cinema and Italian Cities | Fall | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/HS/GS 325 - Family and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Italy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS/AH/CU 390 - Living Siena: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Tuscan Culture | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS 350 - The Black Death & Its Aftermath | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS/GS 325 - Family and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Italy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT 101 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 102 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 301 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 351 - Italian Language in Context: Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 401 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 451 - Italian Language in Context: Competent Abroad | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT 330 - Dante's Commedia in Historical Context | Fall | English | 3 |
| LT 331 - The Literature of Love | Spring | Italian | 3 |
| LT 333 - The Grand Tour of Tuscany in Literature | Spring | English | 3 |
| LT 334 - Identity Between Dream and Reality in Italian Literature (Italian-taught) | Fall | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/PH 342 - History of Italian Political Philosophy (Italian-taught) | Fall | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 340 - Nationalism & Regionalism in Contemporary Italian Politics | Spring | English | 3 |
| PO 343 - Mafia, Society and Politics in Italy | Fall | English | 3 |
| PO 356 - The "Autobiography of a Nation?" The History and Ideology of Italian Fascism | Spring | Italian | 3 |
| PO/PH 342 - History of Italian Political Philosophy (Italian-taught) | Fall | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/HS 350 - The Black Death & Its Aftermath | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS/GS 325 - Family and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Italy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Partner Institution(s)
Università degli Studi di Siena
www.unisi.it
Founded in the 13th century, the Università is one of Europe’s oldest universities. The campus is spread throughout the city, including subterranean spaces and crypts.
Location
University buildings are spread throughout the city and are within walking distance of the IES Abroad Center.
English-Taught Business and Economics Courses
Enroll in one of the following courses:
- Accounting
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Mathematics
- Basic Macroeconomics
- Basic Microeconomics
- Private Law
- Business Administration
- Economic History
- Political Economy
- Statistics
- Principles of Mathematics
- Public Law
Starting in 2017-18
- Banking Management
- Business Law
- Computer Tools
- Economics of Money and Banking
- Financial Institutions Management
- Financial Markets
- International Economics
These business and economics courses will carry 4.5 IES Abroad credits each.
Italian-Taught Courses
Highly regarded courses are available in the following disciplines:
- Anthropology-Ethnology
- Archeology
- Art History
- Economics
- Engineering
- History
- International Relations
- Law
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Sociology
Most courses carry 3 credits but credits can vary based on course level. Course offerings vary from semester to semester. Exact course availability is determined shortly before the start of each semester. For this reason, it will not be possible for you to officially register until your arrival in Siena.
Student Life
Get to know local and international students through activities at the Università degli Studi di Siena. You will be provided with a membership to the Erasmus student network, a group which organizes social activities for international students. You will also receive periodical newsletters publicizing events around Siena, and on-site staff will assist you with getting involved in activities such as clubs or gyms.
A few highlights of student life at the Università include:
- Support from International Student Tutors
- Activities sponsored by the Erasmus Student Network
- Sports - International students can participate in course of gymnastics, tennis, dancing, football (male and female), self-defense, archery, swimming, yoga, ping pong. The Italian University Sports Centre (CUSI) also offers the opportunity to practice various sports, from judo to basketball, volleyball (male and female), rugby and fencing. Students have access to sports facilities at discounted prices.
- Music & Theatre - Young musicians interested in jazz and other music can frequent the courses of the prestigious Fondazione Siena Jazz, the national jazz academy, which offers a series of introductory and master classes in jazz and related contemporary music, such as fusion, funky, Latin music, blues, jazz-rock, etc... The University of Siena has also special links with the Istituto Franci which is a university level school for musicians.
Internships
Interning while you study in Siena gives you a rewarding job experience with a wealth of long-lasting career benefits. You will:
- Gain a better understanding of the real-life, everyday culture of your host country
- Add global work experience and skills to your resume or your application for graduate school
- Improve your confidence
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal internship placement that fulfills your academic and career goals. We've placed students with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently work with a business or organization in your field of interest, we'll search for a placement that's right for you.
Placement Fields
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see your field listed here? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—new internships are always being added.
- Accounting
- Architecture
- Archeology
- Chemistry
- Education
- Hospitality
- International Relations
- Photography
- Physical Therapy
- Political Science
- Sociology
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Siena, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the cultures and traditions of your host country. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations:
Arezzo
1 Day | Fall
Spend the day exploring the historic Tuscan town of Arrezo and all it has to offer, such as the 13th century Basilica of San Francesco, the Cappella Baccia, the stunning fresco of Mary Madeleine by Piero della Francesca, and much more.
Bologna
3 Days | Spring
Spend three days discovering some of the many cultural and historical monuments in Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region—one of the richest and most beautiful in Italy, known for its regional cuisine.
San Gimignano
1 Day | Fall
After a visit and lunch in a local agriturismo, explore the small, walled, medieval town known for its skyline which earns the town its nickname of “The Town of Fine Towers.”
Colle-Poggibonsi Railway Hiking
1 Day | Fall
Retrace the path of the old railway road, discovering archeological sites throughout the historic village of Podium Bonizi.
Pienza & Montalcino
1 Day | Fall
Explore Pienza—the ideal Renaissance town, wanted by Pope Pius II—and Montalcino. This day trip consists of visiting the Palazzo Piccolomini with its beautiful garden and the Cathedral, touring the Sant’Antimo Abbey, and partaking in a wine tasting.
Milan
3 Days | Fall
Spend three days discovering Milan, world-renowned as the European capital of fashion, design, architecture, publishing, modern art, and music.
Perugia, Assisi, & Bevagna
2 Days | Spring
St. Francis of Assisi lived and ministered in this beautiful hill town that offers a wealth of artistic and cultural treasures. Learn more about the development of one of Italy’s most beautiful and peaceful regions.
Via Francigena
1 Day | Spring
Partake in a hiking outing along the Siena portion of an old pilgrimage route running from Rome to France.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad Siena organizes course-related trips that complement your courses and contribute to your knowledge of Italian culture and society. All course-related trips are included in your program cost and depend on course enrollment.
Past course-related trips have included:
- Florence - Explore the culture and identity of Florence as you take in the topography, architecture, art, and spirit of the city on multiple day-long faculty-led trips.
- Sites from the Renaissance and Medieval Periods - Discover how the past enriches the present cultural identity of Siena through visits to sites such as San Domenico Basilica, Banchi di Sopra, Piazza Tolomeni, and Croce del Travaglio.
- Palazzo Pubblico-Town Hall - Learn about the architecture and history of Palazzo Pubblico and its chapel.
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Siena's Duomo - Conduct a case study of the Duomo area and find out about how the Sienese imagery was projected onto the public spaces in the city to present a distinct ancient identity.
- Local Food Producers - Learn about food production, explore the workings of a Sienese bakery, or tour a chocolate shop.
- Ancient Hospital of Santa Maria Della Scala - Consider the roles pilgrimage and devotional ritual played at Siena’s prestigious hospital. Visit the dungeons of the hospital and the vault where Black Death victims’ bones are on display.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Siena is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
The program begins with a one-week orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Siena staff, your fellow students, and the city of Siena. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered during the week.
In addition to intensive Italian language sessions, settle into your new home in Siena as you sample aperitivi with Italian students, visit the Contrada Museum, pick olives in the Tuscan countryside, and explore the medieval past of Siena’s surroundings during an archeological excursion.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Siena, it will feel like home.
Apartments
Share an apartment with other IES Abroad students and a local Italian student in the historic center of town. Furnished apartments are single-sex, and usually two students share a bedroom. Apartments have equipped kitchens, and you are responsible for your own meals. Italian roommates can help with improving your Italian language skills, getting to know Siena, and immersing yourself in the local culture. They also serve as a first point of contact for housing questions.
Homestays
Choosing to live in a homestay is a great way to experience cultural integration. Homestays generally house one or two students. Accommodations vary, and hosts provide you with light daily breakfasts and one additional daily meal.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Siena through cultural events, such as:
- Guest lectures
- Language exchange meetings with Italian students from the University of Siena and the University for Foreigners
- Outings to local music performances, operas, and plays
- Cooking classes
- University of Siena lectures, seminars, and conferences
- Special dinners and events sponsored by a Contrada of Siena
- Sporting events in Siena
- Special museum exhibits
Università degli Studi di Siena - University Clubs & Events
One of the best ways to integrate yourself into the host culture and to meet local students is to become involved in groups and activities on campus. There are several sports clubs and activities, as well as student societies that you can join at the Università.
Get to Know Your New City
Discover the Tuscany countryside surrounding Siena through field trips, personal travel, and more.
The 17 neighborhoods of Siena date back to the Middle Ages and still define life today.
From world-famous olive oil to bistecca fiorentina, there’s plenty to taste throughout Tuscany. Our tip: try the pasta e fagioli!
Get together with classmates and friends to watch movies filmed in Siena and then explore their filming locations.
Grab a snack, a book, or some friends and head over to the Piazza to spend an afternoon lounging in the sun.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$5 Million in Financial Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Siena Center is located in a palace on the famous Piazza del Campo – a large, sunny plaza which is center of social life in Siena. The palace, called Palazzo Chigi Zondadari, was built in the 18th century and served as a home to the prominent Chigi family whose lineage includes many intellectuals, artists, businessmen, and even a pope!
Features include:
- Multimedia classrooms
- Student lounge and library
- Computer lab
- Wireless Internet access throughout the Center
Our Staff
Veronica Semeraro
Center Director
Veronica Semeraro has worked at our IES Abroad Siena Center since the founding of the program in 2006 when she was hired as Student Affairs Coordinator. Since that time, she has been actively involved in all aspects of the program, including housing, customized programs, arrival and orientation, field trips, and academic coordination. Veronica was promoted to Center Director of IES Abroad Siena in 2012.
Prior to working with IES Abroad, Veronica graduated with honors in Archaeology from the University of Siena. Her thesis addressed the GIS platform of the newly discovered and frescoed rooms beneath the Cathedral of Siena. She contributed, with vectorial maps and archaeological drawings, to the publication Sotto il Duomo di Siena (2003). Upon winning a research grant following graduation, Veronica spent six years working in the University of Siena archaeology laboratory in Computer Science. She also spent several years drawing dig maps while working on site in various important archaeological digs in Tuscany (rooms beneath the Siena Cathedral; castle of Miranduolo, Podium Bonizio village) specializing in GIS technology. Veronica is an avid traveler and a member of an all-female Brazilian drum group in Siena.
IES Abroad Staff
IES Abroad Siena Staff
Vittoria Moggi
Student Services Coordinator
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