We made the Italian newspaper!!

http://www.lanazione.it/firenze/curiosita/2012/02/11/666662-cioccolata_batte.shtml

Gniocchi making class

Viagreggio 4

Castello del Trebbio

Pisa 2/4/12

Nice trip!!:)

International Relations syllabus

International Relations (PolSc250)

Instructor: M. Giuili

Spring 2012- Florence-Italy

Course description: Introduction to various aspects of international relations and politics. Consideration of such topics as the sovereign and national state and international politics, the nature of world community, international law, world economics, the United Nations and other international organizations, and contemporary world problems.

Taking this class in Florence will give an additional dimension to the material that we will be covering in the textbook. Very often the same international events are interpreted differently in Europe and in the US and that will allow for good class discussion and group work.

International relations will use many of the social science fields like psychology, philosophy and particularly economics. We will be looking at many fields that are directly related to the lives of students taking this class and that will make the material more relevant and interesting.

The Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) for this class:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

1-      Discuss the principle historical factors, including the development of foreign policy, leading to the present international situation

2-      Recognize and discuss various elements of power in international relations

3-      Describe the most prominent structures of the international community and explain their interaction with states

4-      Demonstrate a basic understanding of the major theoretical approaches to world politics and the methodologies used to study them

5-      Think and argue critically about issues in international relations

Textbook for this class:

“International Politics on the World Stage” (brief), 8^th edition by John Rourke and Mark Boyer.

ISBN 978-0-07-337899-2

Course methodology: The class will consist mainly of lectures and discussions based on the textbook, enclosed articles and current events. Group work will allow you to analyze issues from different points of view and a group class presentation will also be part of your overall assessment. At the beginning of the semester you will pick a country or geographical area dealing with a conflict, give a historical overview, research the source of their problems and assess potential outcome.

Your final grade will be computed in the following manner:

                Midterm exam                                                      30%

                Final exam                                                            40%

                Class presentation                                              20%

                Class participation/group work                      10%

Tentative Schedule

February                1             Introduction and organization

                                 3             World Politics ch.1

                                 6             ch1

                                 8             Evolution of World Politics ch.2

                                13           ch.2

                                15           Levels of Analysis ch.3

                                20           ch.3

                                22           Nationalism – ch.4

                                27           Globalism –ch.5

                                29           ch.5

March                    5             National State – ch.6

7                   Midterm Exam

19           National State – ch.6

21           IGO

26           ch.7

28           Security - ch.9

April                       2             ch.9

                                 4             National Economic Competition – ch.10

                                11           ch.10

                                16           International Economics – ch.11

                                18           ch.11

23                 Final Exam

24                 Final Review

Women in US Society syllabus

Women in US society (SocSc.220)

Instructor: M.Giuili

Spring 2012: Florence, Italy

A multicultural and interdisciplinary examination of women's changing roles in U.S. society. Examines the social institutions and values which shape those roles. The course considers the significant events and developments shaping the social, political, and economic status of women. It will also consider the importance of race/ethnicity, class, region, and sexual orientation in differentiating the experiences and opportunities for women. Studying these issues in Florence will allow you to experience those differences first hand by observing and interacting with women of a different culture and thus differences in women’s responsibilities, values and priorities. We will be looking at women’s position in the labor market, politics, family, income distribution, health, education etc… Current events illustrate how women play a more active role in shaping the socio-economic and political direction their countries are taking. A perfect time to study this topic!

SLO – Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

1-      Examine the significance of gender as a factor in shaping experience and opportunity of American women in the twentieth century.

2-      Compare the changing rights and obligations of women under the U.S. and California constitutions and laws, and the evolution of the role of women as local, state, national and international citizens.

3-      Compare the significance of race, class, region, and culture in the differential experiences and opportunities.

4-      Evaluate critically contemporary and historical debates about gender, race, class, and sexual orientation.

5-      Evaluate progress toward political, social and economic equality for all women.

Textbook: “Thinking about Women” (9^th edition) by Margaret Andersen

                 ISBN: 978-0-205-84095-3

Course methodology: The class will consist mainly of lectures and discussions based on the textbook, enclosed articles, current events and observations. Group activities and working on topics together will make the class more interactive. There will also be a group project that will constitute 15% of your overall grade.

Your final grade will be calculated in the following manner:

            Midterm exam                                      30%

            Final exam                                            40%

            Class presentation                                 15%

            Class participation/group work  10%

            Personal budget                                   5%

Tentative Schedule:

February          7         Introduction

9                  Chapter 1

10              Social construction of gender (ch2)

14                   “

16       Gender, culture and media (ch.3)

21                   “

23       Relationships (ch.4)

28                   “

March              1         Women in the workplace (ch.5)

                         6                     “

                         8         MIDTERM EXAM     

                        20        Family (ch.6)

                        22                    “

                        27        Women and health (ch.7)

                        29                    “

April                 3         Women and crime (ch.9)

                         5                     “

                        10        Women, education and science (ch.10)

                        12                    “

                        17        Women and politics (ch.11)

                        19                    “

24                Final exam

26        Summing up

Things I forgot to ask at our meeting

Please post any questions or comments to new colleagues you met at our last meeting on 11/16....

Meet your colleagues

Now that you have registered for classes and are making plans for your semester in Florence, it would be a good idea to meet as a group.

We are planning Wednesday November 16 in the afternoon (2-3:30) to meet and introduce yourselves. I will be emailing you as we get closer to the set date.

See you soon :)

Why Study in Florence

Why is the Study Abroad important?

A vacation abroad gives you a taste, often misleading, of how people in other countries live. The semester in Florence allows you to live in the city for 3 months and be part of the everyday activities, going to the market, living in small spaces etc...Your academic experience will include the world around you: visits to museums, analysis of the economic outlook, culinary exploits or people watching, and pretty soon you will see tourists as “invading” your city! By experiencing new cultures you become a citizen of the world. Your horizons expand, your understanding of problems faced by those around you improves, your self esteem grows and your CV reflects all those changes! A “win-win” situation!

Instructor Website

http://voyager.dvc.edu/faculty/mgiuili

AIFS + faculty information for Florence 2012

http://www.aifspartnerships.com/ncsac/florence/spring_index.asp

Museums in Florence

http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/index.html

Information about Florence for students

http://www.theflorentine.net/articles/articles.asp?browse-by=Florence-forstudents

About Florence

http://florence-student-service.com/city-florence.html

Map of Florence and more

http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/interactive_map_of_florence/map_of_florence.php

Florence, Italy = Spring 2012

Every year, the spring semester abroad goes to Florence, Italy, the Renaissance city whose art, history and language come alive in the great Italian tradition. Famous for its churches, museums, architecture, and world famous art works, Florence is also a modern city throbbing with Italian vitality, a city for the young at heart with cafes, shops and cinemas to add to the unique academic experience of a semester abroad. . In Florence students get to see for themselves the taste, the elegance and aesthetic sensibility that marked the Renaissance. Living and studying where the rebirth of creativity began five centuries ago is inspiring; art, history and language come alive in the great Italian tradition.

Next meeting August 25 at DVC in LA 112

Check this blog for next meetings.

 

Florence AIFS video

http://studyflorence2011.blogspot.com/2010/07/florence-video.html

Bookstore-coffee

Right downstairs from our school is one of the most comprehensive and convenient bookstores in all of Florence. Edison Bookstore (Piazza della Repubblica 27/r) is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am until midnight and Sunday from 10-midnight. This is an excellent place for late night browsing, and the store includes a cafe. Edison not only has a good English language book / magazine selection, they carry other items as well. Drop in on your way out of class and discover their collection.
If you are specifically interested in English language books, another wonderful nearby option (both new and used books) is Paperback Exchange at Via delle Ocche 4/r (open 9-7:30 Monday through Friday and 10:30-7:30 Saturdays).