Academics at SYA Italy

Home to 50 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Italy is sure to stimulate your mind, whether interested in science, art, architecture, archaeology, history, modern languages, classical studies or contemporary global issues.

SYA Italy's curriculum seeks to capture this wide range with a multidisciplinary, dual-language approach. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of modern-day Italy by examining the ancient cultures from which it sprang and the contemporary challenges and opportunities that being a European Union member state entails.

All students are required to take six courses, including Italian language, English, math, Experiential Italian and two electives. Examples of electives offered at SYA Italy include Ancient History Through Art, Applied Agroecology and Local Global Perspectives, 

Students participating in the semester program will receive .5 credits per course while yearlong students will receive 1 credit per course.

Click here to see the most recent Course Catalog. Note that many of our courses are denoted as "FW" which means that the course involves a fieldwork element designed to challenge students in the broader community.

HEAR FROM SYA STUDENTS ABOUT CLASSES

SYA Capstone

The SYA Capstone, or the final project for yearlong students, is designed to provide students with an opportunity to showcase their evolving skills through a comprehensive project. Semester students also complete a final project that rounds out their shorter experience abroad. The project provides students the opportunity to dive into a topic that captures their imagination and interest. 

Some recent examples of Capstones at SYA Italy include:

  • Marketing, Advertising and Behavioral Psychology in Italy
  • The Foster Care System in Italy
  • The History of Cursive
  • Cobblers and Craftsmanship in Modern Italy