Duke in Venice
A 4-WEEK SUMMER ART, HISTORY & RELIGIOUS STUDIES PROGRAM
STUDY ART, HISTORY & RELIGION IN VENICE
Apply NowTaught in English
The program is designed to provide you with the opportunity to study aspects of Venetian history, culture, and religion which have been particularly important in the shaping of European civilization. The city of Venice, with its scenic canals and islands, will serve as your outdoor classroom for this 4-week summer program. Venice International University, which is located on the island of San Servolo in the spectacular Venetian lagoon, will be the site for both student residences and indoor classroom facilities.
Program Fast Facts
Location: Venice, Italy
Term: Summer I
Dates: May 22 - June 19, 2022
Application Deadline: Extended to March 15th
Academic Theme(s): Literature, Art History, Religious Studies
Language of Instruction: English
Credit Type: Duke Credit
Eligibility: No prerequisites. Suitable for all majors. Non-Duke students are welcome to apply.
Duke Affiliation: Duke Department of Religious Studies
Housing: Residence Hall
GEO Advising: Request an appointment
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Photo credit: Amarie Bremel, Duke in Venice student
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Bridge of Sighs. Photo Credit: Lei Zhang, Duke in Venice student
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Duke in Venice students
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Photo Credit: Ge Jin, Duke in Venice student
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Aerial photo of San Servolo Island
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Aerial photo of San Servolo Island
ACADEMICS
All students enroll in the program's rotating signature course offering one Duke credit. The program course title, content, course number(s), and curricular codes will be determined by that year's incoming faculty director/instructor. No pass/fail option or auditing is permitted.
The course of summer 2022 will be:
ARTHIST 190A / RELIGION 190A
Venice: The Religion of Empire and Its Imperial Piety - Catholic Christianity
(ALP, CZ) 1.0 Credit
The course will examine the religious, spiritual, and hagiographic traditions of Catholic Christianity as it was lived in the Empire of Venice through religious art as well as current devotional practice, ceremonies and traditions still extant today. The subject matter of Venetian art was of great importance to the artists. Topics will include the place of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the Evangelist Mark, and other saints in Catholic life and thinking then and now. Excursions into the churches and art galleries will illustrate the power of the religious sensibilities in imperial Venice.
We will study the influence of relics and the history and legends attached to the saints connected to the political history of Venice. We will also use Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice to explore Jewish presence in Venice. We plan to explore cultural opportunities in Venice along with several cultural and religious events, concerts, and field trips. This course will be taught in English.
HOUSING & MEALS
Accommodations
Housing for this program will be in residence halls on the island of San Servolo in Venice.
Meals
You will be given a set of vouchers/meal passes that can be used in the Venice International University (VIU) cafeteria and also in a wide network of cafés, restaurants, and supermarkets. The vouchers are valid nationwide, so students can use them while traveling in Italy.
Costs
Estimates are based on previous years’ programs and the current exchange rate. All costs are subject to change.
Summer 2022
| Duke Students | Non-Duke Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $2600 | $2600 |
| Program Fee | $4800 | $4800 |
| Transcript Fee | N/A | $120 |
| Other Costs | Other Costs | Other Costs |
| TOTAL (Estimated) | $10,350 | $10,470 |
Explanation of Costs
The program fee for this program includes:
- Accommodations
- Some meals (vouchers provided for meal and food purchase)
- International SOS Coverage
- Program-sponsored activities and excursions
- Student support services provided by Venice International University
What is not included?
Use the following list to assist with budgeting for expenses outside the program fee. This list contains common examples but should not be considered exhaustive.
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from program site form airport
- On-site accident and health insurance policy
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Immunizations
- Visa and/or residency permit (if needed)
- Passport
- Textbooks and class materials
- Mobile phone
- Internet usage
- Independent travel and entertainment
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature
- Incidentals
US citizens do not need a visa for this program. However, if you are not a US citizen, you may need a visa. Please be sure to research the cost of obtaining a visa for Italy, including any required travel to a consulate or embassy.
If you receive financial aid, and need assistance with travel costs, please contact your financial aid counselor.
Personal expenses can fluctuate greatly depending upon habits and preferences of the individual. It’s also wise to budget for unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies. You can use a cost-of-living comparison tool to get an idea of what daily life costs in the program host location.
Step 1: Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit the Summer Participation Agreement found in your MyExperientialEd application to confirm your enrollment. A parent/guardian’s co-signature is required. This form takes the place of a deposit.
NOTE: If you withdraw after March 15, you will be charged a cancellation fee for voluntary withdrawal. Fees range from $1,500-2,000.
Step 2: Summer invoices will be sent via email to your Duke email address and home email address. Remit payment to the Bursar per due date and address indicated on your online statement. Consult the Duke Bursar's office billing schedule for payment due dates.
Financial Aid
Duke students receiving financial aid are eligible for aid for this program (work-study funds must be converted to loans). Students are individually responsible for making the necessary arrangements with the Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support and the Duke Bursar’s Office.
Non-Duke students are not eligible to receive financial aid at Duke and should contact their home institutions for financial aid information.
Scholarships
This program offers the following scholarship opportunities:
DATES
Attendance is required at all classes, excursions, and group events. Given the intense nature of this program, late arrival and/or early departure is not permitted.
- Arrival: May 22, 2022
- Departure: June 19, 2022
Flights
You will make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. You are expected to arrive on the arrival date cited above, which usually means departing the U.S. one day prior. Once you have a flight itinerary, log in to MyExperientialEd to update your travel registry.
Housing Before/After
You will need to make your own housing arrangements if you will be arriving before the program start date or leaving later than the program end date.
VISA & PASSPORT
VISA
No visa is required of U.S. citizens to participate in this program. Non-U.S. citizens should pay special attention to the visa requirements for their specific citizenship by contacting the country embassy to find out if any visa restrictions are in effect.
PASSPORT
All participants must have a valid passport. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond the program end date to avoid unintended disruptions. For instructions on obtaining or renewing your U.S. passport, visit passports.state.gov.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
An International Student Identity Card (ISIC) is optional. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student ID, endorsed by UNESCO. If purchased in the U.S., the card also carries with it a supplemental insurance policy, which can prove to be very helpful in the event of serious injury. You may purchase this card through www.myisic.com. Processing of the card takes between 4-15 days.
Program Faculty & Staff
The faculty director can assist with questions related to program academics, admissions, on-site needs, etc. For all other inquiries, please contact the Global Education Office.
ADMISSIONS
Deadline: Extended to March 15th
This program has rolling admission. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until the program fills; after that, qualified students are added to a waitlist and notified of openings. Applications must be received by the deadline to be considered. Application opens November 1.
Priority: Priority is given to applicants who apply early.
Minimum GPA: There is no minimum GPA.
Non-Duke students: Non-Duke students are welcome to apply for this program. You must be a degree-seeking student in good standing at an accredited college or university. Consult your university’s registrar and/or study away advisor for assistance with transfer credit. Students who are not matriculated at a college or university are not eligible to participate in Duke’s study away programs.
GEO policy for graduating seniors who wish to apply for a Duke summer study abroad/away program:
Students must be active, matriculated students in order to participate in any Duke-in summer programs, including Duke’s domestic summer programs. All program courses must be taken for graded credit. If seniors plan to graduate in May of the year they plan to study abroad in the summer, they will not be eligible to participate on any of our summer programs unless they receive approval from their academic dean at Duke to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended.
Non-Duke students planning to graduate in May in the year they plan to study abroad in the summer must provide approval to delay their graduation until after the summer program has ended from the appropriate official at their home institution. Such approval must be furnished in writing to GEO before the student will be allowed to participate in the summer program. This approval may be sent via email to the appropriate program assistant at GEO.
Duke students who defer their graduation to participate in study abroad should consult with their financial aid advisor in the Duke Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid to determine whether they are eligible for a summer aid package and/or a GEO summer scholarship.
APPLY
Start your application early to ensure that it is complete by the deadline! Incomplete applications will not be forwarded to the program directors for consideration.
Submit the following items using MyExperientialEd:
- Online application
- Official transcript(s) from all colleges and universities attended. First-year students should wait for fall semester grades to be posted before submitting their transcript.
- Personal statement, no longer than one page, explaining why you would like to participate
- Academic letter of recommendation (one)
STUDENT STORIES
"While we spent time in the classroom discussing readings and analyzing artwork, the real learning took place in the city of Venice. We explored museums, famous basilicas, the Rialto Market, the Architecture Biennale, and more. This was something I could have never done at Duke, or even in the United States."
As an art student, the original art and architecture were priceless to see in person."
–Brandi Feemster
Meet with a GEO Advisor
Not sure where to start? Prefer to talk to someone? Schedule an appointment with a GEO advisor to get personalized recommendations and answers to your questions.