Sustainable Italy? Tourism, Agriculture & Local Cultures in a Warming World
In the Cinque Terre, the beautiful five towns on the hillsides of the Ligurian coast of northwest Italy, we will practice hands-on learning. Activities include two hikes, a boat tour and discussion with a marine biologist, seminars with local agricultural and tourism officials, and visits to hillside vineyards. On one afternoon we will assist the operations at a vineyard. On two separate day-trips, the class will visit Genoa and Florence for museums and sightseeing. The trip concludes with two full days of sightseeing in Rome.
To learn more about last year's program, read New SHU Course Combines Sustainability and Study Abroad.
Dates & Deadlines
| Term | Year | Application Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 2025 | December 9, 2024 | TBD | May 10 (departure on May 9) | May 24 |
Program Description
In this two-week course, we’ll explore the combined effects of climate change, economic development, and over-tourism on the landscape, communities and traditional ways of life in the small agricultural towns of Italy. Despite these challenges, tourism is valuable for host communities and for visitors, as long as it is practiced sustainably and thoughtfully. On this two-week trip, we will both learn about—and do our best to practice—sustainable tourism and environmental wisdom.
In the Cinque Terre, the beautiful five towns on the hillsides of the Ligurian coast of northwest Italy, we will practice hands-on learning. Activities include two hikes, a boat tour and discussion with a marine biologist, seminars with local agricultural and tourism officials and visits to hillside vineyards. On one afternoon we will assist the operations at a vineyard. On two separate day trips, the class will visit Genoa and Florence for museums and sightseeing. The trip concludes with two full days of sightseeing in Rome. The weekend in the middle of the course is free for students to travel locally or just to loll on the beautiful local beaches.
Academic work will consist of several short seminars with the professors embedded along the way and a final paper due a couple of weeks after your return home.
PH 199/TRS 199 Sustainable Italy? Tourism, Agriculture and Local Cultures In a Warming World
Academic work will consist of several short seminars with the professors embedded along the way, and a final paper due a couple of weeks after your return home.
This course can fulfill the Foundational Core requirement in Philosophy or in Theology & Religious Studies, or any one of the three LAE core requirements: Humanistic Inquiry, Social and Global Awareness and Scientific Literacy.
Faculty
Brian Stiltner, Ph.D.
Brian Stiltner, Ph.D.Brian Stiltner teaches in Theology and Religious Studies, and co-directs the Hersher Institute for Applied Ethics. His teaching and research interests include bioethics, human rights, the ethics of war and peace, and the role of religion in civic life. As author of the book Toward Thriving Communities, Dr. Stiltner hopes to expose students to the theory and practice of flourishing, and the interconnections between their personal well-being and the well-being of civic communities and the natural world.
Gordon Purves, Ph.D.
Gordon Purves teaches in Philosophy and in the School of Computer Science & Engineering, where he regularly offers courses in Computer Ethics and Logic. His teaching and research interests include logic, the philosophy of science, environmental philosophy and the ethics of technology. His current research project is on the nature of rationality and risk assessment in environmental policy and activism. He also directs the Gaming & Technology Living Learning Community.
Accommodations at L'Ospitalia del Mare in Levanto, and some meals, including all breakfasts, are included as part of your study abroad program fees.
Excursions on this program may include:
- hikes in Cinque Terre area
- boat trip in Cinque Terre area
- visit to vineyard to learn from local agricultural and tourism officials
- sightseeing and museum visits in
- Genoa
- Florence
- Rome
Sustainable Italy? Summer 2025 (tentative)
| Budget Item | Amount | Payable To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $45 | Global Engagement | Payable upon application to the program |
| Confirmation Fee | $250 | Global Engagement | Due within two weeks of acceptance to the program |
| Total | $295 | ||
| SHU Short-Term Undergraduate Tuition | $1,950 | Student Accounts | 3-credit rate |
| Program Fee | $2700 | Student Accounts | |
| Registration Fee | $115 | Student Accounts | |
| Estimated Total | $4,765 | Total will be billed in accordance with Student Accounts billing cycle |
Additional Expenses
| Budget Item (Estimates) | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation - International Airfare | $1,200 | Group flight |
| Meals - Additional | $500 | Breakfast is included with your stay, as well as some lunches and dinners. You are responsible for all other meals that are not provided in the program. |
| Personal Expenses | $500 |
All costs subject to change.
Fees include: Program orientation, housing, some meals, course-related excursions and mandatory basic international health insurance.
Fees do not include: Travel to/ from host country, major medical insurance, or any personal expenses.
Additional Billing Information
All expenses are subject to change based upon currency fluctuations, flight demand, personal spending habits, etc. Actual expenses may be more or less than the listed estimates.
Program withdrawal fees, penalties and refunds are subject to the withdrawal policies of each program.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships are a great way to support the cost of your study abroad experience. In an effort to encourage you to study abroad, and to make a study abroad experience more accessible, Global Engagement prepared a list of scholarships and financial resources. Please note that this is not a conclusive list but it will help you start your search process. Global Engagement encourages you to apply and take advantage of as many relevant scholarship opportunities as possible.
Please speak with Student Financial Assistance to determine how your aid package will apply towards studying abroad.
Welch Waiver (Applicable to Business Majors Only)
If you are a College of Business & Technology student (at SHU), currently enrolled in The Welch Experience, and have not yet utilized your study abroad tuition credit, you are eligible to use the Welch Waiver ($1,950) towards your summer tuition for the SHU in Dingle program. In order to take advantage of the waiver program you will need to complete the Welch Waiver application, located within your study abroad account.
Please ensure applications for the Welch Tuition Waiver, Thomas More Honors Program Scholarship and/or Matthew R. Dalling Scholarship are submitted by the specified deadline. Applications and corresponding deadlines can be found in your study abroad account. Failure to submit applications by the specified deadline may cause the scholarship dispersal to be significantly delayed.
If you receive scholarships, grants or financial aid through SHU, these awards are posted to your student account according to the normal disbursement schedule.
Contact Global Engagement directly for further information.
Summer 2025
- May 9, 2025: Depart US
- May 10, 2025: Arrive Italy
- May 24, 2025: Depart Italy/Return US