Shakespeare in Italy

July 21- August 5 , 2008

The University of Dallas invites high school students interested in literature and history to participate its annual summer program, Shakespeare in Italy. Each summer, University of Dallas professors lead students through the most compelling works of Shakespeare's corpus in the midst of his most enchanting and breathtaking Italian settings. Like all of our summer programs, Shakespeare in Italy is based upon classical and classic texts from the University's Core Curriculum.

Applications for 2008 are now available!

Click HERE to begin!

Why Study Shakespeare in Italy?

Shakespeare was a great English playwright and poet who chose to set many of his plays in Italy. In addition to his four Roman plays and two Venetian plays, Shakespeare wrote plays set in Verona, Padua, and Sicily. Moreover, although Shakespeare's Italian plays depict different periods of time from the early moments of the Roman Republic through the decline of the Empire, to the height of the Italian Renaissance they all address issues that have timeless significance: faith, love, hatred, justice, revenge, deception, and self-knowledge. The purpose of our travels in Italy is both to stimulate a genuine interest in literature, art, and theology, and to raise certain main issues that are prominent in these fields. History and drama intersect at every site, resulting in a greater awareness of our Western heritage and a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's art.

The Readings

Over the course of two weeks, students will read selections from Shakespeares plays and from his sequence of sonnets, as well as study four complete plays in detail. In past years these plays have included Coriolanus, Julius Caesar, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and The Tempest. Supporting readings will be drawn from a few of Europe's most thoughtful travelers to Italy such as Goethe and Henry James.

About the Program

As you surely understand by now, Shakespeare in Italy is not simply a tour of Italy, but an academic program designed for serious students who are interested in learning about ancient Rome and Renaissance Italy - the history, art (painting, sculpture and architecture), literature, philosophy and theology - as it indirectly influenced the greatest poet of the English language. Eligible high school students include rising juniors and seniors, as well as recent graduates. Application for admission requires the submission of an official high school transcript and at least two letters of recommendation. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive three hours of transferable college credit.

Shakespeare in Italy enjoys the benefit of a staff that is well versed in overcoming the problems that often accompany travel in Italy. University professors who have lived in Italy and taught for the University of Dallas Rome Program are assisted by staff members who have had experience working with the University of Dallas' study abroad programs. All members of the staff are selected with an eye on the importance of eliminating the inefficiencies of traveling in a foreign country while also promoting a serious intellectual community.

The cost of the program covers tuition, airfare from a central hub city, land travel, documentation fees, room and board in Rome and "on the road", as well as all museum fees and entry passes to historical sites. With the exception of no more than a few lunches on extended tours, all meals are provided, including a pool party on campus and a farewell dinner in Rome. Applications for a few limited, need-based scholarships are available upon request. The University also offers fundraising assistance to interested students.

Faculty

The Director of Shakespeare in Italy is Dr. Gregory Roper, Associate Professor of English at the University of Dallas. Dr. Roper is a medievalist whose interests reach from ancient rhetoric and pedagogy to contemporary literature. He currently teaches Shakespeare as part of the Literary Tradition course taught to sophomores during the University's undergraduate Rome semester. Dr. Roper has recently published a book on writing:The Writer’s Workshop. You can read a brief interview with Dr. Roper about the book here. The faculty will be assisted by both graduate and undergraduate students who have lived in Rome and who can help students succeed in all the activities of the program—academic, travel and social. The student-to-staff ratio will not be greater than 5-1 so that students will have a safe and friendly experience.

The Rome Campus

The University's Rome Campus, Due Santi, where students reside during the program.

No noisy city setting here. The University’s ten-acre Eugene Constantin Campus rests in the beautiful foothills just off the Via Appia southeast of Rome, where ancient Rome got its start and where Romans and popes take their summer rest. . Take a walk in the kiwi grove, kick around a soccer ball, eat fresh Italian food in our mensa, take a dip in the pool, work out in the exercise room, or just sit in the pergola above the working vineyard. You’ll find it come paradiso—like paradise—on the grounds of this beautiful former villa.

Program Photos

Click here to see photos from Shakespeare in Italy 2006 and 2007.

For More Information

Click here to fill out an online inquiry form or contact:

Mr. Luke Mutschler
Rome and Summer Programs Office
University of Dallas
1845 East Northgate Drive
Irving, Texas 75062-4736
(972) 721-5181
email: udsummer@udallas.edu.
AOL IM Screenname: Udsummer

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, the high school you attend and year of high school graduation in your request. We'd also like to know how you heard about the program.