Creativity and Place: Seeing and Re-seeing Rome and Italy (Autumn 2021)

Rome has attracted artists and writers for centuries, and the Creativity and Place program is designed to introduce the fundamentals of Travel Writing and Site Specificity in Art through an immersed experience in the city of Rome and surrounding regions of Italy. The long history of artistic production in Rome and the density of literary and visual art connected to the city create a vibrant and diverse context for students as they develop a greater understanding of their own artistic processes, as writers and art-makers.

Through course instruction in and experience with the daily life of the city, students will refine their understanding of the relationship between self and place, and explore how their “selves” are shaped by place, as they create new literary and visual texts that speak back to the rich cultural and artistic tradition of the city.

The courses will include weekly site-visits to some of the “marquee” locations in the city, like the Ancient Roman Forum, as well as a variety of less-expected sites like Monte Testaccio (an ancient Roman garbage dump) and Mussolini’s EUR.

The program will also include an off-site (out of Rome) field study to broaden students' experience with non-urban environments. This will include a dedicated week in the region of L’Aquila. 

This study abroad program is led by professors Michael Kula and Tyler Budge from UW Tacoma.

Academic Content

Students will earn 15 credits for this study abroad program for the following three courses:

Creative Nonfiction Writing - TWRT 387 – 5 Credits (VLPA)

Students will build narrative and descriptive skills in creative nonfiction by focusing on the literary travel essay. Includes reading of models and writers' workshops to provide feedback on drafts. Discussions will focus on the role of Rome and Italy as a “place” in their writing and how their experiences in that “place” shape their travel essays.

Site Specificity and Art – TARTS 390 – 5 Credits (VLPA)

This course focuses on concepts of site and place through contemporary art-making procedures. Includes instruction in both formal and conceptual approaches to site-specific installation. Emphasis on creating connections and dialog between place, artist, audience. Employs Rome and Italy as a canvas and inspiration for site-responsive studio artwork.

Independent Creative Project – TIAS 492 – 5 Credits

Students will work on individual advanced creative projects that build on or complement other coursework in their major. Projects will be planned and carried out by the student in consultation with a faculty adviser. The projects created will be visual and literary art projects building on the students' work in TARTS 390 and TWRT 387 and their experiences in Rome.

Program Schedule

This 15-credit course will run from September 29 – December 10, 2021 with October 18 - December 10 spent abroad. Coursework will take place at UW Tacoma September 29-October 14. 

Housing

We will be staying in apartments in Rome (double-occupancy). Apartments have WiFi, and linens are provided. During the field trip, students will be staying in hotels.

Eligibility

This program is designed for undergraduates and has no prerequisites. It is an ideal program for humanities majors in AMC, Writing Studies, and/or Communication who seek to broaden the international focus of their course of study.

Because the courses have been specifically chosen to be introductory (without prerequisites), it is also well suited for students in any major who have an interest in the creative production of art and literature. Both the TWRT 387 and the TARTS 390 courses are also core courses in their respective majors.

We’re looking for students who can demonstrate an interest in producing new creative works, both in writing and art, and/or an interest in exploring the artistic process in relation to a culturally diverse, international “place.”

Application

Applications are due on February 15, 2021.  Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by March 1, 2021. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 15, 2021. Click the "Apply Now" button above to begin.

**Students are required to submit a letter of recommendation form as a part of their application. Letters of recommendation can be submitted by faculty, advisor, staff, or supervisor from UWT, another institution, or a place of employment. The director of your study abroad program CANNOT provide a letter of recommendation for you. To learn more about how to ask for a letter of recommendation, click here.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Italy.

Visas

There is no visa requirement for U.S. citizens to travel to Italy.

If you are a citizen of another country, you can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be travelling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The total cost of the program is $7,700

Included in the cost of the program:

• $450 Administrative Fee
• Instruction 
• Lodging (double occupancy) in Rome, Italy
• Museum entry and guide service fees
• One week-long field trip (incl. transportation, lodging, and museum fees)
• Three group meals 

Not included in the cost of the program:

• Round trip airfare to/from Italy
• Costs of travel documents (passport, visas)
• Meals (except as listed above)
• Personal expenses
• Single-occupancy lodging (available for extra fee if desired)

Payment Due Date: October 16th, 2021

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $450 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships 

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of our website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by UW Study Abroad as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2021 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.