Academic Credit

The basic academic program consists of 16 university credits:

• Italian Language & Culture Course – 9 credits
• Service-Learning – 1 credit
• Two other 3-credit courses of the student’s choice (based on availability; some courses may require additional lab fee).  Examples of such 3-credit courses may include:
  • Interdisciplinary course: Music, Politics and Greed in the Cradle of the Renaissance (taught in English)
  • Cinema italiano – A History of Italian Cinema (taught in English and Italian)
  • History of the European Union (taught in Italian)
  • Art History (taught in Italian and English)
  • Music History (taught in English)
  • Digital Photography (taught in Italian; pre-requisites apply)
  • Film Production (taught in Italian; pre-requisites apply)
  • Religious Culture and Traditions in Italy (taught in Italian)
  • History of Italian Cooking (taught in Italian; additional fee)

The first three weeks of the semester are dedicated solely to the Three-Week Intensive Italian, visiting service sites, and getting to know the host families.  The rest of the core curriculum begins in week four.   A full list of elective courses in the arts and humanities is available under Course Menu. Such courses may be offered (contingent on sufficient enrollment) at an additional cost per student, and may be taught by local instructors or by visiting/guest teachers from US universities.   Courses are available in Art History, Archeology, Anthropology, Literature, Music Literature, Music Appreciation, Ancient and Modern History, History of Italian Theater, Italian Fashion, History of Italian Cooking, and History of Italian Literature.

In many of the courses, learning is not limited to the classroom.  Whenever possible, field excursions are integrated to enhance comprehension and provide students with a multifaceted experience.

Certain courses may have prerequisites, while others have an open enrollment.

Transfer of Academic Credit

Credit will be awarded by Montana State University for all courses taken within the Arts & Humanities Semester in Tuscany.  Each student’s academic advisor, in consultation with the MSU Office of International Programs, will determine how these credits will apply toward specific degree requirements.  The Office of the Registrar at MSU will process the transfer of academic credits for non-MSU students.