Shakespeare's Baroque Rome

June 24- July 3, 2010

The marvelous. Infinite space. Breaking of forms and limits. Baroque artists such as Bernini explored the infinite in form and matter in newly confident Counter-Reformation Rome. Shakespeare, a thoroughly English playwright, often had his eye on the latest developments from Italy; he set a third of his plays there, reflecting constantly on what the land meant to him. How did Shakespeare incorporate and challenge the Baroque, already emerging in the 1590's, in his late plays such as The Winter's Tale and The Tempest? On this innovative and enjoyable study-trip, UD professors will guide you through the marvels of Baroque Rome-- from St. Peter's to Caravaggio to Bernini's great rival Borromini--and see how Shakespeare interacted with and thought through this artistic movement.

2010 Program Details

A ten-day program for adults, Shakespeare's Baroque Rome 2010 will commence in Rome on June 24th, ending July 3rd. This timeframe works well for teachers completing their semesters, graduate students and other adults, as well as participants in the University of Dallas Rome Program 40th Anniversary Reunion June 17- 20 who would like to remain in Rome and continue learning after the Reunion. The price of $2950 includes for-credit tuition or non-credit course fee; double occupancy room in a two room suite with shared bath; most meals; classes; entrance fees; and faculty-led tours in Rome. Single room and/or private bath supplements are available.

Deposits received by December 1 will qualify for a $100 discount on the tour. Teachers, University of Dallas alumni and summer program alumni may also receive a $150 discount. Currently matriculated UD students, faculty, and staff qualify for a special 10% discount if they deposit by December 1. (No more than two discounts per person. No more than one early registration discount per person.) To make a deposit over the phone, contact the Rome and Summer Programs Office at 972-721-5181. Deposits can also be mailed to Rome and Summer Programs, University of Dallas, 1845 E Northgate Dr, Irving, TX 75062.

Participants should arrange own air to arrive at the University of Dallas Eugene Constantin Campus at Due Santi on June 24. Find directions to campus here. Those wishing travel agent assistance may contact Beverly Berens at Travel Leaders.

We seek to create a relaxed but engaged learning community in this course. UD alumni who have always wanted to return to Rome in a thoughtful, intellectual way will love this trip. Teachers, especially of AP courses, will benefit from the high level of conversation, including about teaching itself, with professors and participants, as in the program's first year, sharing tips and discussing pedagogical strategies. Others might wish just to enjoy Rome and Shakespeare in a thoughtful way. We do offer 3 credits at the 6000-level in our Humanities program for those who wish to do the written work for the course, but this is not required of participants.

Sound interesting? Submit a brief electronic inquiry for more information on Shakespeare's Baroque Rome.

Ready to register? Submit an online registration form to reserve your space.

What You'll See on the Program

Friends, Countrymen: Rome!

We will start with St. Peter's Basilica, begun in the High Renaissance but completed as the Baroque period is dawning. From there we will explore Baroque Rome in all its splendor: Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, church of Sant' Andrea al Quirinale, and stunning sculptures of Saint Theresa in Ecstasy and the Ecstasy of Blessed Ludovica Albertini. We will see churches by Bernini's great competitor, the cooler, more intellectual, tragic Borromini: San Carlino, Sant' Agnese in Agone, Sant' Andrea delle Fratte, and Sant' Ivo alla Sapienza. Caravaggio will be featured as well in San Luigi dei Francesi and Santa Maria del Popolo. A visit to the Museo Borghese, home of stunning Bernini sculptures and Caravaggio paintings, will cap our trip.

Learning & Enrichment

The advantage is the integration of classroom study, on-site visits and lectures, and intense discussions with your professors. We aim to create a collegial atmosphere where all can learn, all can contribute, and all can teach one another out of our experience and expertise.

Experience in Italy

Our superb professors, instructors and staff are building on forty years of University of Dallas experience in Italy. UD has been leading its sophomores to Rome since the 1970s, as well as hosting summer programs for adults, and so we have a wealth of experience in leading students and adults to live and study there. Our superb scholars are teachers, guides, and in some cases, residents of Italy. We know how to get around, what to avoid, and how to make your experience rich, fruitful-and fun!

Dr. Gregory Roper, associate professor of English, directs the program. He has wide interests from Medieval Literature to modern poetry, as well as Shakespeare. He has lived and taught on the Due Santi campus from 2003 to 2005 as well as from 2007 to 2009. He will be assisted by Dr. Andrew Moran, assistant professor of English, who also lived there and taught on our Rome program, from 2005 to 2007, and is the author of a dissertation and essays on The Winter's Tale and a forthcoming article on The Tempest.

Which plays? Why?

The Winter's Tale, for so long overlooked in Shakespeare's canon, is now gaining a great deal of attention. A seemingly simple fairy tale, it flagrantly violates rules of time and space (taking place in part on the coast of land-locked Bohemia!), and features a strange "statue" at the end which is so life-like it... well, we won't spoil it for you.

The Tempest, on the other hand one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, holds itself to one time and place, yet involves the marvelous, the magical, the dream-like, in speaking of human and self-government in our "brave new world." Deeply and yet slyly Baroque, both plays challenge the very nature of art in new, and newly Shakespearean, ways. With the backdrop of Baroque Rome, we will explore each against the other, uncovering new ways to think about, read, and teach these plays.

Beauty and Relaxation on Campus