Study Tracks
Course List | Summer Term
- Summer Session I or Session II: 3 credits (1 course)
- Summer Session III: 6-7 credits (2 courses)
The Study Tracks are recommended combinations of courses by themes and issues. These are not mandatory combinations; students can choose to select combinations of courses that better suit their academic interests and degree requirements.
All 6-week courses must be combined with a 3-week course from Summer Session I to complete the full 6-week Summer Session III itinerary
ECOLOGY, CLIMATE CHANGE and BIODIVERSITY
Summer
MARINE & COASTAL ECOLOGY| 4 CREDITS
Term: Summer Session III (6 Weeks), June 13 – July 25
Course code: SCLY 3207 (University of Minnesota)
Contact Hours: 60
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Whale and Dolphin monitoring activities on sailing boat with MareCamp NGO
- Marine turtle nest monitoring activities with WWF Sicily experts
- Snorkeling field trip at Marine Protected Area and visit to Plemmirio MPA laboratories
Course description:
This course provides a comprehensive investigation of the rich and diverse biota, past geological events, and the variety of climatic and hydrologic conditions that make the Mediterranean Sea one of the most complex marine ecosystems on the planet. Situated at the crossroads of different biogeographic regions, it is inhabited by a rich and diverse flora and fauna and is currently imperiled by different pressures, mainly induced by human activities.
Students engage in comparative field studies through experiential learning during field trips, which complement classroom teaching and are carried out in distinct coastal and marine environments. Students are led by expert professionals and researchers from the Plemmirio Marine Reserve research institute during visits to laboratory facilities and while conducting census and monitoring activities in the Protected Area, investigating its effect on marine biodiversity.
Mediterranean Conflict: Humans and the Environment | 3 credits
Term: Summer Session I (3 weeks), June 13 – July 4
Course code: SCLY 3208 (University of Minnesota)
Contact Hours: 45
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Field trips to Penisola Magnisi and the Saja Permaculture Project to explore the intersection of sustainability and cultural regeneration.
- Lectures and guest speaker sessions addressing ecofeminism, ecopsychology, Indigenous worldviews, and the myths of modernity.
- Collaborative group projects fostering interdisciplinary problem-solving and the practical application of regenerative practices.
Course Description:
This course, offered during the Syracuse Academy Summer School, immerses participants in the study of regenerative cultures through a Sicilian lens. Students will explore themes ranging from the roots of modernity’s myths to ecofeminism, ecopsychology, and Indigenous worldviews, culminating in discussions on regeneration and civil resistance. Field trips to significant sites such as Penisola Magnisi and the Saja Permaculture Project enrich the curriculum, offering hands-on experiences that deepen understanding of the intersection between sustainability and cultural regeneration.
HUMAN RIGHTS, MIGRATION & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Summer
Migration, Human Rights & the Media | 3 credits
Term: Summer Session I (3 weeks), June 13 – July 4
Course code: SCLY 3202 (University of Minnesota)
Contact Hours: 45
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Guest lectures and seminars with diverse actors, including border guards, sea rescuers, and civil society activists.
- Analysis of media framing and coverage of migration crises to understand their impact on public debate.
- An interactive teaching approach involving the critical examination of labels such as “economic migrant” and “refugee.”
- Cross-cutting perspectives combining anthropological, sociological, and criminal justice approaches to flow analysis.
- On-site observation of the “dynamic battleground” where policymakers and migrants interact.
Course Description:
This course provides advanced knowledge of the policies, discourses, and media coverage of migration and asylum in the Mediterranean. Students explore the many challenges of migration through a journey that follows the process from countries of origin to transit across the sea and long-term integration in European society. By investigating different “venues,” such as external borders and internal cleavages, students gain a comprehensive view of migration as a social phenomenon and the human rights issues at its core.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Analyze contemporary communication strategies and media framing related to migratory flows.
- Distinguish the analytical phases of the migratory process and the roles of the various actors involved.
- Evaluate European immigration policies and their impact on the human insecurity of people on the move.
- Reflect critically on the complex interactions among narratives, discourses, and state politics.
International Human Rights Law | 3 credits
Term: Summer Session I (3 weeks), June 13 – July 4
Course code: SCLY 3206 (University of Minnesota)
Contact Hours: 45
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Collaboration with the Siracusa International Institute of Criminal Justice and Human Rights.
- Site visits and guest lectures with international NGOs focused on gender justice and asylum law.
- Joint case study with the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) on environmental risk factors.
- NMUN Model Position Paper project providing practical insights into the UN system and the roles of states.
- Thematic deep dives into the relationship between climate change, food systems, and human rights.
Course Description:
Grounded in the principles of international law, this course introduces the international system for the protection of human rights. Students analyze the sources, content, and limitations of these protections, as well as the obligations they generate for states. The curriculum outlines implementation mechanisms at both universal and regional levels, providing a comparative focus on the Euro-Mediterranean region through theoretical overviews and in-depth thematic case studies.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the sources of customary international law and human rights treaties.
- Analyze implementation mechanisms at the UN level and across regional systems in Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
- Discuss the obligation of non-refoulement and the legal frameworks governing asylum and refugee policy.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the UN collective security system and international humanitarian law.
- Conduct in-depth research on specific human rights topics to produce formal policy and position papers.
Research in Sicily | 4 credits
Term: Summer Session III (6 weeks), June 13 – July 25
Course code: SCLY 3895 (University of Minnesota)
Contact Hours: 45 (25 instructional hours and 20 hours with a research mentor)
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Roundtable and interview sessions with border-community actors such as the CIAO Center for Intercultural Aid and Orientation (NGO) and Mediterranean Hope.
- Field-based learning in Sicily, a crucial location for directly observing Mediterranean migration challenges.
- An interactive research design that bridges the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical field data collection.
- Ethical training focused on the unique challenges of conducting research with vulnerable migrant populations.
- Comparative research opportunities allowing students to analyze data alongside U.S. and international sources.
Course Description:
This intensive research program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of migration, asylum, and human rights through a comparative research experience. Based in Sicily, students move beyond the classroom to gain a practical understanding of what managing migration “crises” means in the Mediterranean. The program delves into the methodologies and research processes used to explain sensitive social phenomena, equipping students with the tools to implement data-collection techniques and comparative research designs.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Conduct field research and apply social science methodologies to sensitive topics.
- Reflect critically on issues of migration and asylum while developing comparative analyses across different regions.
- Identify ethical challenges and implement safeguards necessary to protect vulnerable research participants.
- Develop and present a professional research design, including data collection and analysis.
- Conduct structured and unstructured interviews in coordination with peers and in focus groups.
Archaeology Field School
Archaeology Field School at the Temple of Zeus | 4 credits
Term: Summer Session II: (3 weeks), July 4 – July 25
Course code: AR200
Contact Hours: 60 hours
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Hands-on excavation at the archaeological site, guided by experts.
- Participate in the analysis of artefacts at the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.
- Join teamwork activities with students from the University of Naples and other prestigious international universities.
- Field trips to historical sites of interest and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Course Description:
Students step into the heart of ancient civilization at the Archaeology Field School at the Temple of Zeus, located in the enchanting city of Syracuse, Sicily. This extraordinary course unfolds at the crossroads of history, granting students access to revered archaeological sites, museum laboratories, and the rich archives of the Archaeological Park of Syracuse. Each corner of this historic landscape whispers tales of the past, waiting to be unearthed and brought to light. Immersed in awe-inspiring settings where history and mythology intertwine, students work side by side with renowned archaeologists and researchers from prestigious Italian and European university departments. Together, they embark on a journey through time, engaging in hands-on archaeological practice—from excavation to artefact analysis. The course offers an invaluable opportunity to delve deeply into archaeology, experiencing firsthand the thrill of discovery and the meticulous art of preserving historical treasures.
The columns of the Greek Temple of Olympian Zeus, perched majestically overlooking the Great Harbour of Syracuse and the enchanting island of Ortigia, stand as timeless sentinels of ancient history and divine reverence. This magnificent temple, dedicated to Zeus—the foremost of the Olympian gods—embodies the architectural grandeur and spiritual significance of ancient Greek civilization in Sicily. As a monumental nexus of religious and cultural life, it has silently witnessed the convergence of diverse civilizations, maritime sagas, and historical epochs across the vibrant landscapes of Syracuse’s harbour and Ortigia, including the sieges of the city by Athenian and Roman armies. Embraced by Mediterranean breezes and bathed in warm Sicilian sun, the Temple of Olympian Zeus continues to echo the tales of ancient rituals, mythological legends, and the enduring legacy of Greek influence on the rich tapestry of Sicilian history and culture.
Italian language and culture
Summer
ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: beginners to advanced | 3 credits
Term: Summer Session I, II and III
Course code: ITL100 / ITL150 / ITL200 / ITL250 / ITL300
Contact Hours: Session I or II = 45 hours; Session III = 90 hours
Program Highlights & Experiential Learning:
- Field trips to historical and cultural sites of interest, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a visit to a local traditional street market.
- Traditional Sicilian cooking class.
- Intercultural exchanges with local and international students.
Course Description:
The language courses are offered at different levels for students who are approaching the study of Italian for the first time as well as for those who have already taken previous Italian courses.
Lessons are conducted in Italian through a communicative approach and take into consideration the need to combine the study of lexis and grammar with the development of communication skills and cultural awareness. The instructor encourages students to put the language structures and vocabulary studied in class into practice in real-life situations, thus accelerating the learning process and bringing students into contact with local society so that they may fully appreciate local ways of life and cultural differences. This knowledge is an integral part of linguistic competence.