• Masterlist

    All courses are 3 credits, with the exception of ITAL101, ITAL102, and ITAL 111, which are 4, 4, and 6 credits respectively.

    • CLAS 318R Art & Architecture of Ancient Rome
      Loyola equivalent: AH309/CL309/HS321 (History core)
      This course is intended to offer students an introduction to the city of Rome that is topographic, architectural, and art historical in nature. In our study of Rome, we will focus on developments in the architecture, painting, sculpture, and urban development in the city. While our survey is limited to antiquity, it is understood that Rome’s modern urban fabric is profoundly affected by the events of the ancient period, so this course is also intended to facilitate your understanding of the modern city in which you are spending the semester.
      Instructor: Crispin Corrado

    • ENG 378 Italy in American and British Literature
      Loyola equivalent: EN200 (English core)
      The course intends to bring students closer to the study of literature through the reading of some major works by American and British writers. The journey to Italy is at the center of the novels and poems which will be analyzed during the course. On the one hand we will concentrate on the discovery and transformation of the characters as narrated through their encounters with a different culture and social context. On the other, we will investigate changes in the attitudes and perspectives of the authors themselves due to their own journeys to Italy. We will begin with the reading of poetry from the 19th century, followed by the reading of four complete novels by three well known American and British writers: Henry James, Tennessee Williams and Edward Morgan Forster.
      Instructor: Milena Locatelli

    • PHIL 310 Philosophy of Art
      Loyola equivalent: PL220 (Philosophy core)
      Philosophical treatment of a range of art forms that focuses on the nature of creativity, beauty, and representation. Major arts compared and contrasted.
      Instructor: Jan Bentz

    • TRS 345 Liturgical Art & Architecture
      This course will lead students in examining the art and architecture of Christian churches. Salient primary texts regarding worship and the arts will be studied in conjunction with the various monuments. Students will come to an understanding of the various theologies expressed in matrix of Christian liturgical art, architecture, music and worship spaces. Using a historical approach, the diverse forms, contexts and world views that shaped Christian liturgical ritual, visual objects, music and places of worship will being investigated from the early Church to the present, each with the purpose of understanding the underlying theology of the worshiping community’s understanding of the sacred, their relationship to God and their relationship to each other. The course will incorporate churches throughout Rome in its study of the ways that human beings construct meaning in their places of worship and how images, sculpture, architecture and music are a theological reflection upon faith.
      Instructor: Marie Nuar

    • TRS 362R: Theology of the Church in Rome
      Loyola equivalent: TH204 (Theology core)
      As an introduction to ecclesiology, this course seeks to provide a fundamental understanding the Church’s origin, nature, structure, and mission. An overview of the New Testament and historical sources for the theology of the Church will develop into two primary tracks: 1) an introduction to the major ecclesiological models, images, themes and issues; 2) a special consideration of the Church of Rome and its relationship to the universal Church, particularly the question of primacy and collegiality
      Instructor: Father Francesco Giordano

    • ITAL 219 The Promise of Eternity: Rome and its Image throughout the Centuries
      Through an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates history, literature, cinema, art and music, we will consider the evolution of the Eternal City, observing the complex layers of history which remain visible within the fabric of contemporary Rome. We will follow the footsteps of the most representative characters, cultural movements, and historical events century by century, concluding with a discussion of the city’s contemporary social and political identity within Italy and as a world capital. This course will fulfill a Media Studies elective.
      Instructor: Milena Locatelli

    • TRS 202B The Church and the Human Person
      Fulfills the Theology Elective requirement.
      This course introduces students to the nature of the Church and the Human person through the examination of scriptural, historical, and contemporary treatments of the questions. The course will explore the images used in Scripture, Tradition and the Magisterium to express the nature of the Church (People of God, Body of Christ, Temple of the Spirit, etc.) and her origin, structure and mission; the four properties or "notes" of the Church and Christ, her head, reflects on Christian Anthropology in the light of the modern and contemporary context. Here, everything from the nature of man to Catholic Social Doctrine in the economic sphere of our contemporary world will be considered.
      Instructor: Father Francesco Giordano

    • POL 478: Politics of Global Environmental Problems: Climate Change and More
      An introduction to the politics of global environmental problems, with special emphasis on climate change. The three dimensions of global environmental problems are addressed (science, economy and policy) and connected to relevant topics such as: success and failure of international cooperation, the role of state and non-state actors (business, NGOs) and of international institutions (e.g. UN, World Bank), biodiversity loss, and deforestation. The course is interdisciplinary and taught in a non-technical style.
      Instructor: Alexia Massacand

  • Honors Courses

    • HSHU 203 Age of Discovery
      A survey of Renaissance intellectual history taught through primary texts. Topics will include humanism, Protestant and Catholic Reformations, the impact of the New World, and scientific advances. Authors will include Petrarch, Pope Pius II, Machiavelli, Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, Montaigne, Bellarmine, Bacon, and Galileo.
      Instructor: Michael Mack

    • HSTR 203 The Church: Community & Institution
      Why is the Christian life essentially one of community, and what kind of Institutional organization is appropriate for this particular community? These were central questions addressed by Vatican II in its constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, and they remain central questions in ecumenical dialogue seeking the unity of the Church today. This course will consider the life and shape of the Church at various points in its history, and the flourishing of study of the Church or 'ecclesiology' in the 20th century. It will closely examine the teaching of the Council itself and issues that have arisen in ecumenical discussion in recent decades on this topic.
      Instructor: Father Francesco Giordano

    • HSPH 203 Nature & Human Nature
      The key concept of the first part of the course is nature in the sense of physis or natura. Comparisons to mathematical explanations are offered by the founders of modern physics and chemistry. Psyche or anima is the focus of the second part of the course. Exploration of parallels with explanatory principles in biology, psychology, and cognitive science.
      Instructor: Jan Bentz

  • Guest Faculty Courses

    ENG 462 Plays of Shakespeare II
    In this intensive reading of Shakespeare's plays, we will give special attention to the plays sets in Italy. We will consider Shakespeare's treatment of classical Roman ideals (Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus) as well his presentation of Christian ideals of love and community (Romeo and Juliet, Merchant of Venice, Othello, The Tempest).
    Instructor: Michael Mack

    ENT 350 The Church, Entrepreneurship, & Value Creation
    The Church is a spiritual enterprise that teaches and evangelizes the world as the Holy See, but it is also a human organization, with material needs and even its own state as the Vatican. What is the proper relationship between spiritual pursuits and material business practices for individuals as well as for the Church at large? Learn about how the Church has tried to render to God what is God’s and to Caesar what is Caesar’s through the centuries. Navigate the challenges of financing an independent state, providing service to the poor, and explore the development of hospitals, guilds, how indulgences developed, and how Vatican City operates today. The course introduces students to the salient themes and important documents in the Catholic Church’s view and practice (the “twin themes” of the course) of entrepreneurship and value creation.
    Instructor: Andreas Widmer

    ENT 472 Principled Entrepreneurship
    A class for students interested in practical entrepreneurship and innovation. The course has two “tracks” one is about the theory of principled entrepreneurship. Learn about principled entrepreneurship. We will explore entrepreneurship theories like Market Based Management (MBM), Long-Term Sustainable Value Creation (LTSVC), The Business Model Canvas, and The Lean Startup. The other track is about learning to express ourselves in a visual way, mostly through drawing, sketching and visual mapping. If we look at history, these skills were a key ingredient in any learned person’s repertoire. It is a core aspect of entrepreneurship to have more than one way to express oneself, to have ways to visualize complex situations to find new paths, new solutions, more effective processes. In short, it’s a proven path to innovation.
    Instructor: Andreas Widmer

    FIN 391 Historical Evolution of Money, Banking & Financial Institutions
    This course provides the historical evolution of the money and banking system dating back to 2000 BC in Assyria, India, Sumeria and later in ancient Greece and Roman Empire. The crucial historical development of the banking system started during the medieval and Renaissance in Italy and in particular the affluent city of Florence and Genoa by the Bardi and Peruzzi families in 14th century with the Medici Bank. This development spread from northern Italy throughout the Holy Roman Empire during 15th and 16th century followed by other developments in Amsterdam in the 17th century and in London since the 18th century. We will follow other developments in Europe and America to the present time including the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the rise of the Europe Union. We attempt to show the historical, political and economic reasons for these developments during each period and their impacts. This course is based on class lecture, seminars and visiting significant historical sites in Italy.
    Instructor: Reza Saidi

    HIST 206R History of Rome
    This course provides an introduction into the 3,000 years of history of Rome, the Eternal City. It focuses on the main periods the structures and developments of the city. The course consists of lectures, in-class discussions of required readings and primary sources, student presentations, and excursions to a few museums and sites in Rome.
    Instructor: Arpad von Klimo

    HIST 317A Modern Italy since 1860
    How did Italy become what it is today? This course looks at the modern history of Italy by focusing on political, economic, social, and cultural developments since the time when Italian intellectuals began to discover Italy as a nation. Lectures and discussions will also study Italy's modern history in a European context in order to better understand what is specific of Italian history and what is part of broader European developments.
    Instructor: Arpad von Klimo

    HIST 318A Rome in the Age of Dante
    This course examines the history of Rome in the medieval period, an age that produced the glittering mosaics at Sta. Maria in Trastevere, the powerful papal court of Innocent III, the vernacular poetry of Dante, and the Jubilee of 1300, each topic considered through primary sources in translation, lectures and discussions. Weekly on-site visits will use Rome as our classroom and are an integral part of the course.
    Instructor: Katherine Jansen

    HIST 318B Renaissance Rome
    This course examines the Italian Renaissance as it was manifested in the building projects and patronage of the Roman papacy. Using the lens of patronage, we will examine the period from the mid-fifteenth century when the humanist pope Nicholas founded the Vatican Library and began reconstruction of the basilica of St. Peter’s to the age of Leo X whose pontificate ushered in the Reformation. Topics include: the building of new St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, and the Farnesina. Artists and architects whose work we will examine on-site include: Fra Angelico, Bramante, Pinturicchio, Raphael and Michaelangelo.
    Instructor: Katherine Jansen

    MGT 381 The Business Environment in the European Union
    This course provides an overview of historical steps that lead to the establishment of the European Union and the related institutions, a brief introduction to current EU enlargement policies, and an in-depth understanding of the EU business environment. Specifically, the course utilizes case studies and/or problem solving to afford participants with a hands-on familiarity with business practices and effective strategies for conducting business in the EU from the perspective of European managers as well as non-European multinational corporations in a wide variety of industries. The course is taught through lectures, seminars, and the use of case studies and/or problem solving.
    Instructor: Reza Saidi

  • Italian Language Courses

    All students must take one Italian language class. Classes are taught at Italiaidea.

    • ITAL 101 Elementary Italian I
      Designed for students with little or no prior experience with Italian. Introduction to the basic principles of language necessary for written and oral communication.
    • ITAL 102 Elementary Italian II
      This is a dynamic language course that emphasizes communication to enable students to interact in Italian at an elementary level. Students use fundamental principles of vocabulary and grammar structures to talk about daily life and gain insights into aspects of Italian culture through simple readings of authentic materials, movie-based activities, and every-day conversation with their native speaker instructors.
    • ITAL 103 Intermediate Italian I
      Students build on what they have learned during the first two semesters of Italian. They improve their communication skills by discussing and writing about various topics drawn from readings and film focused on Italian culture. This course includes review and expansion of grammar and vocabulary.

    • ITAL 104 Intermediate Italian II
      Italian 104 is a communicative language course aimed to develop oral and written proficiency at the Intermediate level. Students achieve cross-cultural understanding by reading and discussing a wide selection of texts and multimedia materials. Grammar review and vocabulary expansion are also provided to promote progress in the four area skills of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.

    • ITAL 111 Intensive Elementary Italian
      This 6-credit course serves as an intensive introduction to basic Italian language with an emphasis on the fundamental principles of communication, vocabulary, and grammar structures. It essentially replaces ITAL 101 and 102, allowing students to return to Catholic University prepared to take ITAL 103.

    • ITAL 203 Advanced Italian I: Talking About Culture
      This course emphasizes the development of conversational skills, vocabulary expansion, while deepening students' knowledge of current Italian literary, social, and cultural events. It also develops effective written skills in various contexts and prepares them for written assignments in upper division Italian courses.

    • ITAL 204 Advanced Italian II: Talking About Culture
      An ideal follow-up to Italian 203 (but the sequence can be inverted), Italian 204 is designed to further develop language skills through discussions of texts and films, as well as contemporary events, debates, writing workshops, and grammar review - all while introducing a more complex syntax, both in conversation and writing.