Study Abroad in Italy: Intensive Italian Language & Culture Studies in Sicily – Academics

Sicily Curriculum: How the Academics Fit Together

At CET Sicily, language learning happens everywhere. Inside the classroom, at home, at the market, at the top of Mount Etna—this program doesn’t miss a beat.

Intensive language courses launch the term. From the starting gate, students are immersed in fast-paced language learning. Get ready to start dreaming in Italian. It usually happens by week five.

Once the term is underway, other courses begin. Language practicum courses teach the skills that the textbooks never do—slang, jargon, dialect. Develop a documentary…in Italian. Learn to navigate through a recipe…in Italian.

A core course, the only course taught in English, opens the door to the local environment—study Sicilian history and culture as you experience them.

After class, the learning continues. Feel like doing homework? Your language partner can help. Feel like avoiding homework? Head to the market with your Italian roommate for a cannoli.

When the term is over, CET Sicily students return home, showing off new language skills and sharing their plans to return to Sicily. Bravissimi!

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Sicily Fall & Spring Academic Requirements

Students enroll in Italian language. Language classes are “front-loaded.” This means that for the first three weeks of the program, they meet for 20 hours/week. After that, language classes continue but at a slightly slower pace. 135 total hours. 9 recommended credits.

All students select a language practicum (a content-based language course). Language practica meet outside the classroom almost as much as they do inside. Options are: Documentary & Journalism and Food & Folklore. 55 total hours. 3 recommended credits.

Students enroll in the core course—History and Culture of Sicily. Mid-semester, the instructor leads students on a traveling seminar to Western Sicily. This course is taught in English. 45 total hours. 3 recommended credits.

There are even more options for advanced students. Students with highly advanced levels of Italian language may enroll in courses at the University of Catania. These are university-level courses aimed at native Italian speakers. They are taken in lieu of the above CET curriculum. Course options are typically in the Political Science and Humanities departments. All coursework, lectures and assignments are entirely in Italian.

To help students take on this challenge, CET arranges a month-long intensive language “warm up” course. Then, throughout the term, students meet with CET tutors who specialize in course areas. These tutoring sessions help CET students keep up with their Italian peers.

This opportunity is available in the spring semester only. Students who choose this option remain in Sicily midway through summer term, for a total of 22 weeks on site. Warm up language course: 90 total hours. 6 recommended credits. University of Catania courses: approximately 60 total hours each. 3 recommended credits each. Language tutoring sessions: 40 total hours. 3 recommended credits.

View all course options and download syllabi.

Sicily Summer Academic Requirements

Students enroll in Italian language. Language classes are “front-loaded.” This means that for the first two weeks of the program, they meet for 10 hours/week. After that, language classes continue but at a slightly slower pace. 45 total hours. 3 recommended credits.

Students enroll in the core course—History and Culture of Sicily. This course is taught in English. 45 total hours. 3 recommended credits.

View all course options and download syllabi.

Classroom Matters

Prerequisites

CET Sicily is open to students with at least two semesters of previous Italian language study. We encourage beginners to visit CET Florence, a good fit for new Italian language learners.

Language Class Placement

Italian language class placement is determined by:

The results of a placement exam taken on site.
The student’s transcripts.
The student’s Italian language ability as demonstrated in the application.

Adjustments to placements are made during the first week of classes.

Academic Rigor

CET Sicily is a study abroad program for serious students. Classes and site visits are scheduled Mondays through Fridays. Students can expect at least one hour of prep time for every hour of class time. Participation in classes and attendance at all site visits are mandatory.

Outside the Classroom

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Academic Excursions (All Terms)

CET Sicily arranges excursions around Catania. Students put their newly minted Italian language skills to the test on the streets of the city. Past students have:

Tested their bargaining skills at the Capo market.
Ordered a cioccolata mandorla e panna granita (chocolate almond granita) at a local gelateria.
Chatted with local fisherman at the pescheria (fishmarket).

Traveling Seminar (Fall & Spring)

The core course takes semester students on faculty-led journey to Western Sicily. Students visit several towns, completing their historical knowledge of the island. A visit to Palermo studies the Byzantine occupation of Sicily. The Trapani and Erice legs of the trip focus on the Sicily of the Middle Ages. And a stop at Mozia brings to light the Phoenician colonization.

Overnight Excursion (Fall & Spring)

Directly before the mid-semester break, CET Sicily students depart the island and head to the Italian mainland. Here, they take in the postcards of Rome— the Coliseum, the Forum, the Vatican. After the trip, students are free to continue traveling in Italy on their own.

Community Service (All Terms)

CET Sicily challenges students to give back to their home overseas. Students may volunteer at local organizations around Catania. Past students have:

Promoted art exhibits at a local contemporary art gallery.
Worked at rugby club outreach events, teaching rugby skills to children.
Assisted at a local blood drive.
Tutored students in English at an experimental school.
Worked at a local non-profit, assisting with food drives and collection of second-hand items.