Study Abroad: Gender in International Politics in Italy

Jade Ellis

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     With COVID-19 dominating the year, it is hard to think of studying abroad in the near future. Even so, there are still short-term study abroad programs being offered this summer through UCCS. One of these programs is Gender in International Politics in Italy. 

     This program is faculty-led by political science professor Sara Hagedorn. The program will be a week and a half long, from June 4-17 in Florence, Italy. 

     According to Hagedorn, the program involves staying at a 600-year-old villa while learning comparative politics. 

     The class will be focused on three countries in its comparative study: The United States, Italy and Bosnia. The class will also examine international feminist theory as it relates to gender relations in each of these countries. 

     The class will balance tours around Florence with class time, and will include daily journals, discussions, readings and quizzes. However, where and how these tasks will take place is different than the traditional classroom. 

     The course can count as three credits of PSC 4180 (Gender in International Politics) or WEST 4180 (Gender in International Politics) for the Summer 2021 semester. 

     There are many things students will do while in Florence. According to the UCCS Study Abroad Website, students will experience “the Uffizi Gallery, a tour and lecture around Palazzo Vecchio, a private tour of a female-owned winery, a tour and olive oil tasting at an olive farm and an Italian cooking class.” 

     Students are also encouraged to go out on their own into Florence and to other destinations during their free weekend. Hagedorn said that students on former trips have made weekend trips to Rome, Venice and Milan using the accessible public transport systems. 

     The total program cost is $2,915, including hotel accommodations, two meals per day, local transportation pass, entrance to Castello di Monsanto and Palazzo Vecchio, Italian cooking class, membership to the Il Palmerino Association including participation in cultural events and travel and medical insurance. This cost does not cover the flights to and from Italy. 

     Though travel to Italy is currently not permitted, Hagedorn hopes this will change in the coming months. With that being said, the program costs will be fully refunded if travel is still not permitted in June 2021 and the trip is not able to happen. 

     For anyone interested in going on this trip or for more information, please visit the study abroad website, educationabroad.uccs.edu, or email the International Affairs Office at [email protected] for information on the class and how to apply. 

Florence, Italy.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.com