Location

Rome is the Eternal City, where history, architecture, and art come alive.  More than 2,500 years of history have formed the city's unique character. Walking in Rome is a constant voyage of discovery, with the Coliseum, Forum, Pantheon, St. Peter's, Sistine Chapel, and many beautiful piazzas among the countless locations to explore.  Today, Rome is a vital European center for religion, business, film and art.  Students will take classes at the Rome Center of the Institute for the International Education of Student (IES).  The IES Rome Center is located in the heart of the city, along the Tiber River, across from Castel Sant’ Angel.

Program of Study

Students will enroll in 2 courses during the six-week program (May 29 – July 7) to earn 6 credits.  Students will enroll in both courses through the University of Notre Dame’s Summer Session.  Sebastian Rosato, Assistant Professor of Political Science, will instruct The Treaties of Rome and the Uniting of Europe.  An Italian professor will teach a History course in English.  Students will receive Notre Dame credit for these courses.

This program in Rome is offered for Summer 2008 only.  It is possible that a program will be offered in Rome in subsequent summers.  Future programs will likely differ in timing and courses offered.

Excursions

As part of the course on The Treaties of Rome and the Uniting of Europe, students will visit relevant landmarks in and near Rome.  These include Monte Cassino (a town about 80 miles south of Rome where four major battles occurred towards the end of World War II), the Musei Capitolini (where the Treaties of Rome were signed), the National Archives, the Italian Central Bank, and the Italian Parliament.

Eligibility for the Program

Applicants must be full time students in good standing at the University of Notre Dame or St. Mary’s College.  Knowledge of Italian is helpful but not required.  Applications are due March 1, 2008.

Course Information

POLS 34258 –The Treaties of Rome and the Uniting of Europe
This course examines the origins, consolidation, and current operation of the European Union (EU).  The course is comprised of six parts.  In Part I, students will get an overview of European history between the French Revolution and the end of World War II.  This period of nationalism and war provides a stark backdrop to the cooperation, institutionalization and peace that has characterized Western Europe since 1945.  In Part II, students will become familiar with major political science theories of integration that seek to explain how Europe managed to overcome its past.  Briefly, these stress the role of economic interdependence, federal ideology, and power politics.  In Part III, the emphasis will be on early integration efforts including the Marshall Plan, the European Coal and Steel Community, and the failed European Defense Community.  In Part IV, students will get an overview of the Treaty of Rome, the founding moment of today's EU.  In Part V, students will examine the consolidation of the EU after the Treaties of Rome paying particular attention the growth of the European Court of Justice and the process of Economic and Monetary Union culminating in the creation of the Euro.  In Part VI, students will be introduced to current issues affecting the EU including the prospects for further integration or disintegration and Europe's relations with the United States.  This course will fulfill a requirement for Political Science majors.

Politics and Philosophy of Power in the Land of Machiavelli
This course studies the history of ideas and reflections on power and political morality in Italy from the 15th Century to the present.  It offers a perspective on major Italian political thinkers and cultural leaders in the context of Italian political history with special attention on the The Prince by Machiavelli and on the Machiavellian tradition; on the unification of Italy; and on the fall of Fascism and the events of 1943-1946.  Through the analysis of Italian political thinkers and the problems they had to face, the course also offers a survey of Italian political history from the Renaissance to the present.  Gaining a perspective of the interweaving of philosophy and history of power will help the class focus on the inner structure of Italian political life, bringing to light the contribution of thinkers such as Machiavelli, Vico and Gramsci, who have left a mark, not only within the country but at the international level.

Housing

Students will be housed in furnished apartments, likely in the Trastevere area.  You will have access to kitchens, so you will be responsible for all of your meals.  The apartments are located a short walk to classes.  A transportation pass is included in the program fee so that you can easily get from your apartment to other areas of Rome.

Costs

The cost will be $5,265, which includes tuition, housing, field trips, transportation pass, cultural activities, and guest lectures.  Students will make their own flight arrangements and will also be responsible for their own meals in Rome.
The Nanovic Institute of European Studies has generously set aside $250 each for the first ten students to confirm participation in the Rome summer program. 

Further Information

Sarah Baer
International Study Programs
163 Hurley Building
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame , IN 46556
Telephone: (574) 631-0644
E-mail: sbaer@nd.edu

or

Sebastian Rosato
Assistant Professor, Political Science
435 Decio Hall
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN  46556
Telephone:  (574) 631-0378
E-mail:  rosato.3@nd.edu