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Summer Program Overview
High impact experiential learning inspired by the uniqueness of Sicily.
Summer programs at MADE allow students to explore their passions while making the most of the Mediterranean setting and vast resources of Sicily. Students can explore migration studies, volcanology, Italian language, and multimedia reflection.
| Summer 2026 Program At a Glance | |
| Duration: | 5 weeks |
| Dates: | May 29 - July 4 |
| Academic Credits: | 4-7 US semester credits |
| Cost for 4 US Credits: | $4,200 |
| Cost for 7 US Credits: | $6,200 |
Course offerings:
| Survival Italian ITAL 101 | This course introduces students to Italian language, history, and culture, preparing them for daily interactions in Syracuse. Through lectures and site visits, students will learn essential vocabulary and cultural norms. Emphasis is placed on practical communication skills for real-life situations. |
| Documenting Sicily: A Multimedia Approach COM / ARTS 250 | This course examines photography as a narrative tool for documenting landscape transformation in Sicily, with a focus on Siracusa and its socio-political context. Through walking, creative writing, and drawing, students will develop photography projects culminating in a collective publication or exhibition. |
| Shaping, Molding, and Casting ARTS 252 | This course introduces students to molding and casting techniques, exploring both traditional and contemporary methods, including 3D printing. Through hands-on practice, they will create and replicate forms in various materials. Inspired by Sicilian artifacts, students will analyze cultural significance and develop original projects. |
| Ceramics: Technique and Intuition in the Art of Making ARTS 253 | This program combines traditional ceramic techniques with personal artistic expression. It focuses on clays, decoration, and interactions with fire and oxides, encouraging creative exploration and technical skill development. Students create both sculptural ceramics and pottery, blending tradition with innovation. |
| Introduction to Roman Mosaic ARTS 254 | This course offers a hands-on introduction to traditional mosaic techniques using marble and stone. Students will create a Roman-style mosaic (25x25 cm) using the direct method, mastering material cutting and composition. They will explore stylistic differences, develop precision, and may create an original project. |
| Graphic for Change ARTS 261 | This course explores the interaction between individuals and urban space, focusing on perception and observation. Drawing inspiration from Syracuse’s traditions, folklore, and environment, students will design and create a public mural as a portal to reimagine reality, altering spatial perception and fostering poetic engagement with the city. |
| The Puppeteer's Art ARTS 262 | This course offers an immersive journey into Sicilian puppet-making, guided by masters of the Siracusan tradition. Students will sculpt wood, emboss metal, and craft costumes, refining manual skills through hands-on techniques. By the end, they will create an authentic Sicilian puppet using traditional artisanal methods. |
| Travelogue ARTS 200 | This program centers on live drawing, helping students develop observational skills and memory. Through this practice, they engage with their surroundings, learning to interpret and represent their environment while strengthening their drawing abilities and fostering a deeper connection with the world. |
| History of Migration in Sicily HIST / ANTH 300 | This interdisciplinary course introduces Sicily's history and people through the lens of Migration Studies, examining its geographic, historical, philosophical, and political contexts. Through lectures and experiential workshops, students will critically analyze Sicily's role as a contested space, its migration legacy, and its relevance in shaping global dynamics. |
| Mediterranean Anthropology: Environment, Population, Art and Tradition HIST / ANTH 250 | This course blends anthropology and art, focusing on the relationship between humans, the environment, and future imaginaries. It explores Mediterranean anthropology, fieldwork methods, and the impact of civilizations on the environment. Students will engage in a creative workshop, using their chosen medium to envision the Mediterranean of tomorrow, blending history and imagination. |
| Bread Design: A Pathway Toward Transformative Design Practices ARTS 257 | Bread has been a fundamental element of human culture since the dawn of agriculture, serving both as sustenance and a symbol. In this course, students will explore the cultural and symbolic significance of bread in Sicily, focusing on its role in community rituals. They will engage in traditional bread-making, with the final project blending Sicilian heritage and personal design expression. |
| Volcanology: Environment, Geology, and Culture + Lab GEOL 350 | This interdisciplinary course blends volcanology, geology, and landscape photography to explore Sicily's active volcanoes: Mount Etna, Stromboli, and Vulcano. Students will engage in field expeditions, scientific observation, and artistic documentation, developing a photographic series that combines geological analysis with visual storytelling. |
| Mafia Narratives in Cinema, Art, and Literature HIST / SOC 251 | This course explores the history of the Mafia, focusing on its cultural representations in cinema, art, and literature. Students will critically analyze historical events, figures, and narratives, examining how they’ve been mythologized in media. The course includes research on a specific Mafia figure and culminates in a creative "Impossible Interview" to reinterpret historical narratives and perspectives. |
| Italian Language 1 ITAL 100 | This beginner-level Italian course focuses on developing basic conversational, reading, listening, and writing skills. Students will acquire essential vocabulary and grammar for everyday situations like cafes, stations, and restaurants. The course covers simple sentence structures, present tense, prepositions, past tense, and common expressions for social interactions. |
| Italian Language 2 ITAL 150 | This intermediate Italian course builds on basic language skills, focusing on more complex situations and extended communication. Students will deepen their understanding of grammar (present, passato prossimo, imperfetto), expand vocabulary, and practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in everyday contexts, including private correspondence and simple descriptions. |
| Italian Language 3 ITAL 200 | This intermediate-advanced Italian course is for students who have a solid grasp of basic language structures. It focuses on using comprehensive grammar to discuss past, present, and future events, express doubts and desires, and engage in routine tasks. Students will expand vocabulary, improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills for everyday and practical communication. |
| Italian Language 4 ITAL 250 | This course, designed for students who have completed level three or the entrance exam, focuses on more complex language structures to express opinions and preferences. It enables students to engage in unprepared conversations on familiar topics, narrate simple stories, and understand and produce written and spoken texts on everyday matters. |
| Italian Language 5 ITAL 300 | This course, available for students who have completed level four or the entrance exam, focuses on a deep revision of Italian grammar, emphasizing conversation skills and expanding vocabulary. Students will practice expressing themselves fluently on various everyday topics, including family, hobbies, work, and current events, while improving their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. |
| Italian Language 6 ITAL 350 | This course, for students who have completed level five or the entrance exam, focuses on refining the use of tenses, moods, and prepositions. It emphasizes grammatical structures, vocabulary expansion through synonyms and antonyms, and practical application in both professional and personal contexts. Students will enhance their writing and listening skills with authentic materials and focus on narrative, comprehension, and producing detailed texts. |
MADE programs are designed to empower students to engage with the unique traits of Sicily, while pursuing their individual passions, developing key career competencies, and embracing their creativity.
Dates/Fees
| Program session | Short code | Program start date Sort descending | Program end date | Application deadline | Payment deadline | Program cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 - 4 credits | SUM-1 | $ 4,200.00 | ||||
| Summer 2026 - 7 credits | SUM-2 | $ 6,200.00 |