Fall Semester: September 4th to December 18th-19th, 2009 (in rare cases, some courses at the UNIPD may end after Jan. 1) Spring Semester: January 29th to May 29th, 2010 Academic Year: September 5th, 2008 to May 30th, 2009 The Padova Language and Liberal Arts Program offers a semester or academic year of intensive language study and coursework. Located about 20 miles west of Venice, Padova is very central to Italy's and the rest of Europe's major "art cities." It is a small, lively city of 240,000 inhabitants, and is home to one of the most ancient European universities. Founded in 1222, the University of Padova now hosts a student population of 60,000.

View Photo Slideshow

The program is headquartered at the Boston University Center for Italian and European Studies (CIES) in Padova and is run in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Padova. The program includes excursions around the Veneto region, as well as to other major Italian art cities. All courses are taught by Italian faculty from the University of Padova or other Italian universities, as well as by the resident director. Upon successful completion of a semester students earn 16 Boston university credits.

Download a program one-sheet.

Program Schedule
In the fall and spring semesters the CIES offers an intensive language program during the first month. During the remaining period, in addition to the CIES language and liberal arts program, students have the possibility to take one to two courses at the University of Padova.

Intensive Language Program
The CIES offers a four-credit, intensive language program during the first month which meets 12 hours per week. During the month students are also introduced to the Italian university system and prepare themselves for (optional) classes at the University of Padova.

Please note: The resident director monitors each student's progress and preparation and counsels accordingly.

Semester program
After the intensive first month, students take three, four-credit courses for the remainder of the program. Students have the opportunity to combine CIES courses with courses at the University of Padova. Upon successful completion of the intensive language program, students may opt, with the advice of the resident director, to select one or two university courses. The remaining one or two courses are chosen from the CIES offerings.

Students have an opportunity to choose from approximately 15 courses. The CIES offerings include courses in Italian language and/or literature and cinema; art history (a survey course and a seminar on a specific topic); Italian and European history; history of the European Union; history of the Italian Jews; Machiavelli and the history of modern political thought. All readings are taught in Italian.