SYA Italy Academics

This course explores the production of art history during the Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods that influenced the local territory. Students read, analyze and comment on written primary sources, archaeological remains and artifacts of the area in order to refine critical thinking skills. Students explore topics in the European tradition by building a chronology and content background combined with studentcentered work and research. Students also learn to become more confident public speakers through reenactments, presentations and group activities, while interacting with Etruscan tombs, Greek statues, Medieval churches and Renaissance monuments as vehicles to better understand modern Italian people, culture and language. 

This course combines such science disciplines to examine rich agricultural traditions and processes that make Italian food known the world over. With a focus on sustainability, students will experiment to understand the role of food locally. Viterbo’s fertile soil, 12-month growing season and rich culinary customs will provide systematic comparisons between age-old practices and the applications of modern science in order to cultivate many of the local products Italy is known for, such as olive oil, wine, bread, cured meats and cheese. Students will ask research questions and employ laboratory methods in order to understand problems that present both local and global challenges. The course methods will concentrate on inquiry, hands-on experimentation, observation, statistical analysis and discovery. 

This course introduces students to the most pressing challenges faced by Italy, Europe and the world: economic crises; technological transformations; conflict; human rights and discrimination; migration and demographic change; education, political systems; environmental issues. Students examine these topics through various lenses – local (Viterbo), national (Italy vs. United States) and global– and learn a valuable reality: different cultures view “problems” in very different ways. Coursework takes place both in and outside the classroom. Students have the opportunity to visit national institutions in Rome and around Italy. The course seeks to help students better understand the challenges facing all of us. 

For students currently enrolled in a Greek or Latin course at their home school, SYA offers the opportunity to continue while at SYA Italy. Depending on the number of students interested, SYA Italy can offer Latin Reading, Advanced Topics in Latin, and AP Latin. AP Latin is our most popular Latin course.

For students interested in Greek, it is possible to take Introductory Greek or Greek Reading.