Honors students travel to Rome

The famous Roman Coliseum, historic Vatican museums, unforgotten ruins – these are a few of the splendors of the ancient city of Rome. Six University of West Florida Honors students are in Rome this month touring these sites and learning how the plays of William Shakespeare influenced Italy both socially and politically. They are participating, along with 19 students from the University of Georgia, in an Honors Seminar titled “Shakespeare in Italy” taught by UWF professor David Alvis.

“The students really enjoy these trips,” said Jennifer Phillips, assistant director of the University Honors Program. “The Honors Seminar is a great way for our students to travel abroad.”

Students begin each day with a group lecture on a selected Shakespearian play. Lectures are taught by three instructors, including Alvis and two other instructors from the University of Georgia. After the lecture, all 25 students visit the location where the play was set. The tours and plays covered in the course include Tiber Walking Tour and Palatine Hill from “Coriolanus,” the Forum and the Coliseum from “Julius Caesar,” Vatican Museums and Bernini from “Othello,” “Merchant of Venice,” Early Christianity in Rome and Christianity Ascendant from “Much Ado About Nothing” and Renaissance/Baroque from “Romeo and Juliet.”

“The lectures and tours are very useful to the students,” said Phillips. “The tour reinforces what was discussed in the lecture that morning. And, a bonus is that the tour is both educational and fun.”

After completing all lectures and tours the students will write a three-page paper on each play. They will be asked to examine how the English poet and playwright, Shakespeare, was able to incorporate the setting and history of Italy into his literary works.

The Honors Seminar course, “Shakespeare in Italy,” is offered to all Honors students. The size of the course is limited. All UWF Honors students are required to complete two seminars before graduation. Although the seminar is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, juniors and seniors who have not yet taken a seminar are given priority.

When the seminars were first established, students traveled to the Smokey Mountains. Since then, with the financial help of UWF Board of Trustee member Marny Gilluly, the Honors Program has expanded to offer international seminars. Some of the previous overseas seminars have included trips to Cuba, Panama, England and Florence, Italy.

For more information, visit the UWF Honors Program Web site at uwf.edu/honors/why/abroad/rome/.

Written by Josh Lyons, University Marketing Communications