Italian Cultural Courses
Besides Italian language courses, Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri (CLIDA) offers a variety of cultural courses introducing students to the fascinating story of Italy, its rich history, its dynamic present and its timeless people.
The Italian cultural courses not only deepen students' knowledge of Italian life, culture and society. Students' active participation in discussions allows them to use and practice their Italian vocabulary. Subjects include Italian art, history, geography, music, cinema, literature, politics, economics, and media.
Student can enroll in cultural courses in conjunction with Italian language courses. Cultural courses last at least one month, with classes lasting one hour each. They are normally held on weekday afternoons. Since course schedules are determined one month prior to their start, students will enroll in cultural courses after arriving in Florence.
Italian Art - KA
The Italian artistic heritage is immense and, above all, on display in the streets, squares, monuments, churches, hidden corners, small town centers, parks, gardens, and the countryside which all bear eloquent testimony to the richness of this artistic legacy. This course aims to tap the sources of this unique heritage, and to discover these treasures via study, analysis of style, and guided tours in the city and its museums. The works of Giotto, Masaccio, Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Tiziano, etc. are studied and placed in their historical and cultural context so as to enable one to fully appreciate their beauty and significance. This course lasts for 3 months. Medieval Art is studied in the first month, Early Renaissance in the second month, and Renaissance to Mannerism for the third month.
Literary Panorama - KL
- KL1: Italian Authors
The aim is to paint a substantial picture of Italian Literature, from its origins to the present day, with particular attention given to the most important authors. The student, together with the teacher, will be able to read, understand and comment on various extracts from Dante's Divine Comedy, sample Machiavelli's subtle politics in The Prince, appreciate the style and content of the works of Sciascia, Calvino, Pasolini, Moravia and many other authors.
The aim of the course is to provide the greatest possible panorama of the authors and their works, and to help the student to understand the spirit that pervades Italian Literature. Literary comprehension and text commentary are fundamentals that, among other things, leads to a rapid assimilation of the language.
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KL2:
Italian Theater
This seminar uses vast audiovisual material which includes rare films that show superb interpretations by famous Italian actors. The course will examine the origins of theater, the "Commedia dell'Arte", Goldoni's reforms, and will also study plays by Pirandello and other interesting contemporary authors.
Musical Panorama - KS
In collaboration with various musical associations, the School offers a series of courses which immerse students in the important cultural contribution of Italian music. Professional singers and soloists will live a unique experience meeting famous colleagues who will advise them concerning their careers. During the year there are general courses on the History of Music and seminars on musical instruments and on the Art of Listening.
For music professionals and music lovers, the following highly specialized courses are suggested:
- KS1: The Language of the Libretto
This course is designed for those who for professional or cultural reasons wish to deepen their understanding of the operatic language for professional reasons or for cultural enrichment. A good knowledge of Italian is required.
- KS2: The Masters of the Opera
This course examines the Masters of Italian Opera from 1600 to present. They are studied not only from a musical point of view but also in their historical context.
- KS3: Singing and Diction Courses
This individual course, given by career professionals, is designed for opera singers who wish to perfect their Italian diction during their stay in "Bel canto" country in order to better interpret their operatic repertory.
- KS4: Music and Lyrics
A very enjoyable course in which the student studies some of the best and most beautiful modern Italian songs by such songwriters as Battiato, Cocciante, Conte, Dalla, De Andre and many others. The songs are heard several times, then the text is read, and the words, and idiomatic expressions are explained, in a pleasant musical atmosphere. The two books that the Dante Alighieri Centro has published on Italian songs will serve as a basis for the course and will also be a joyful memory once the student has returned home.
Cinema Today - KF
- KF1: Italian Movie Makers
The aim of this course is to offer, through the 'mirror' of the cinema, a general, immediate and non-stereotyped image of Italy in the last 20 years. The films chosen give a truthful image of a certain type of 'Italy' and a cross-section of society. The relaxed atmosphere involves and stimulates the student to absorb the most common idiomatic structures in the spoken language. For each film there is a summary of the plot; during the projection there are frequent pauses to allow everyone to follow and understand the more difficult dialogues, and to clarify certain grammatical structures and dialect forms regularly used in the spoken language.
Geopolitical & Historical Survey - KP
- KP1: Geographical Panorama
During the first half of this course, Italy is studied region by region; introducing the geographic characteristics, traditions, costumes, dialects, folklore and, naturally, the food and people of each region. The country is studied from the Italian Alps to the Mediterranean south giving the student a general idea of the diversity of the Italian people and the characteristics of each region.
- KP2: Sociopolitical Panorama
In this course the modern history of Italian Republic is studied, from its birth in 1948 to the present day. In addition, socio-cultural aspects are analyzed, to allow a clearer understanding of the phenomenon of contemporary society: political parties, parliament, government, and the trade unions. Information is given about the most important daily newspapers and periodicals, television programs, health care, schools, social problems and the economy.
- KP3: History of Florence
An interesting analysis of the important events and anecdotal tales of Florence, the course offers a careful and pleasant examination of the city from its origins to today. The teacher accompanies students through the city and makes its streets, monuments, churches and palaces come alive. The students thus get to know Florence much better than simple tourists.
- KP4: History of Italy
The principle phases of the establishment of the Italian State through the World Wars and to the fall of Fascism are studied. The course examines, with the use of rare documentary film, the main historical figures who contributed to the unification of Italy and its political relations with other European countries.
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