Europe
Austria
IES: Vienna
Semester I, semester II, full year
Campus Program Adviser: Dan Dressen (Christiansen 103, x3180)
The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) offers a music program in Vienna specially designed for music majors and other talented instrumentalists and vocalists. Students in the program are required to study German language at either the beginning or intermediate level. The program consists of a selection of offerings in music history, music theory, performance studies or courses in other disciplines. The music history and music theory courses are open to all students (usually music majors) with the appropriate prerequisites; performance studies are available to all qualified students but only students admitted to the Music Performance Workshop will receive financial assistance with the cost of lessons.
The Music Performance Workshop is designed to offer instrumentalists and vocalists the opportunity to expand their repertoire and enhance their performance skills. More specific information can be obtained by speaking with the St. Olaf program adviser.
Students are housed in private residences throughout the city, either in independent apartments, in apartments shared with an Austrian landlord or in dormitories with Austrian students.
More information about the program can be obtained from the IES web site at www.iesabroad.org.
Denmark
(see Scandinavia)
France
Campus Program Adviser: Wendy Allen (Old Main 25C, x3247).
The Department of Romance Languages encourages its students to spend at least an Interim, preferably a semester or year, studying in France or in a francophone area. It also encourages non-majors who study French to spend at least an Interim in France.
Therefore, five different options for study in France are listed below.
Yearlong Program at Rennes (CIEE)
Link to CIEE
September to May
Prerequisite: Minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended).
The city of Rennes , located approximately two hours west of Paris by TGV, is the administrative, economic and intellectual capital of Brittany . With its two major universities, Rennes I (sciences) and Rennes II (humanities), and its young population of nearly 60,000 students, Rennes offers a blend of an old medieval quarter and a modern city. Its national theater, opera, orchestra, numerous cinemas, soccer stadium and new skating rink offer a rich panoply of cultural and sporting events, complemented by a wide variety of restaurants, discos and live music. It also offers students an opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region.
The Université de Rennes II enrolls about 20,000 students (including some 650 international students) and has approximately 350 faculty members. The campus is located about a mile northwest of the downtown.
Academics
Students enroll in semester-long courses taught at the Centre International Rennais d'Etude du Français pour les Etrangers (CIREFE), which are open to CIEE students and to other international students. The program begins with a two-week intensive language course (Cycle I) composed of three distinct parts: written expression, oral expression and French civilization. Students take 20 hours of class per week during this period. Following Cycle I, students complete a 13-week program of study they design in consultation with the resident director from a variety of course offerings. Students who have an adequate level of French may take regular university courses alongside French students. Four or five courses are considered a normal load for this period. Classes meet Monday through Friday, with excursions on some weekends.
Two of the features that are unique to the full year program in Rennes are its Cycle I, a month-long intensive language/ culture course that precedes the regular full semester, and the opportunity to teach English in a French public or private school. The program is designed for French majors or other students having a high level of competency in French. While well suited to all students, the program offers unique opportunities for students who may be interested in a teaching career.
Credit
Students may receive a total of nine St. Olaf credits for their work in the yearlong program. Three of the French language and literature courses may count toward the French major. One approved history course may also count toward the history requirement of the French major. One phonetics or applied linguistics course may count toward the applied linguistics requirement of the French teaching major. Other courses (e.g., art history) may count toward GE requirements or for graduation credit.
Accommodations
While in Rennes , students live in a room in a private home and take breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday and three meals on Saturday and Sunday with the family. Tickets for lunches during the week in the University restaurants are included in the program fee. Homes are located either in Rennes or nearby. Students also have the choice of living in a university dormitory.
Semester I Program at Rennes (CIEE)
September to mid-December
Prerequisite: Minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended).
See description of yearlong program (above) for information regarding the city of Rennes , the CIREFE, the Université de Rennes II and the academic program.
Credit
Students may receive up to 4.5 St. Olaf credits for their work in the fall-semester CIEE Rennes program. One of the French language and literature courses may count toward the French major. One approved history course may also count toward the history requirement of the French major. One phonetics or applied linguistics course may count toward the applied linguistics requirement of the French teaching major. Other courses (e.g., art history) may count toward GE requirements or for graduation credit.
Semester II Program at Rennes (CIEE): Paris Interim and Rennes II
January to May
Following the Paris Interim, students go to Rennes for a semester of study. See description of yearlong program (above) for information regarding the city of Rennes , the CIREFE, the Université de Rennes II and the academic program.
Credit
One credit is granted for the Paris Interim (see below). Students may receive up to 4.5 St. Olaf credits for their work in the CIEE Rennes program. One of the French language and literature courses may count toward the French major. One approved history course may also count toward the history requirement of the French major. One phonetics or applied linguistics course may count toward the applied linguistics requirement of the French teaching major. Other courses (e.g, art history) may count toward GE requirements or for graduation credit.
French 275: Interdisciplinary French Studies in Paris Interim
Prerequisite: Minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended). Students may receive major credit in French for this course.
The Paris Interim is designed for advanced students of French. Its underlying principle is that a country's language, culture and literature cannot be separated and that to study one is to gain insights into the others. The result is a deeper awareness of the culture being studied and of the ways in which one's culture determines one's perception of the world.
Classes normally meet mornings, Monday through Friday. These sessions are devoted to study of contemporary French culture, the reading and discussion of French plays (which students later see), the viewing of French films and television and the presentation of individual cultural projects. Two excursions take students outside of Paris to Chartres and Versailles .
Students and the instructor live in studio apartments in a central location. Since one of the major objectives of the Interim is increased fluency in French, students are expected to speak French at all times.
Paris Interim and Angers:
Early January to Early June
Interim and semester II
Prerequisite: minimum of one 250-level course (two recommended).
Following the Paris Interim, students go to Angers , where they begin the semester in early February. Angers is located in the province of Anjou , close to the castles of the Loire valley and approximately one and one-half hours by TGV from Paris .
Academics
The academic program at Angers is particularly suited for students interested in humanistic study: literature, history, philosophy, art and music. Students attend the Centre International d'Etudes Françaises (CIDEF), an institute for foreign students of all nationalities affiliated with the Université Catholique de l'Ouest. By means of placement testing, students are placed in one of 16 levels of language proficiency, which determines the courses they take during the semester. All courses are taught in French and students take all courses at the CIDEF with international students from all over the world.
Credit
The Paris Interim counts for level 270 French major credit. Students can receive a total of four St. Olaf credits for their work at Angers . One of these courses may count toward the French major provided it is pre-approved by the department.
Accommodation
Students are housed with families, although not necessarily as members of the family, either in Angers or in the suburbs.
IES: Paris
Semester I, semester II, full year
The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Paris program combines a rigorous curriculum of French language study with course offerings in a number of academic areas. Courses are taught exclusively in French by native French faculty. Language courses in grammar, conversation, phonetics and translation develop student's ability to communicate effectively in French.
IES area studies courses cover subjects of both historic and contemporary interest. This program may be of special interest to students of art and art history since it offers a series of unique courses such as “History of French Art” and “History of Architecture in Paris .” It also offers studio art students the opportunity to study at Atelier Nicolas Poussin, one of the top art schools in Paris .
Students will live with French families.
A minimum of four semesters college-level French is required for the fall or full year program, five semesters for the spring program.
More information about the program can be obtained from the IES web site at www.iesabroad.org.
NOTE FOR ALL PROGRAMS IN FRANCE : All French majors participating in a semester or yearlong program are reminded not to take any course that overlaps or repeats a course they may have taken at St. Olaf or that they have planned to take on the home campus after their return. Doing so may result in a loss of credit and may make it difficult or impossible to complete the major requirements within the four-year college program. Grades appear on the student's academic record but are not computed in the grade point average.
Germany
Semester I & Interim, Interim & Semester II, Full Year
Campus Program Adviser: Karl J Fink (Old Main 34A, x3864)
Students may attend the University of Konstanz in southern Germany , the University of Flensburg in far northern Germany , the University of Paderborn in north-central Germany , or the Humboldt University in the capital city of Berlin . They may study abroad for a period of one semester or a full academic year, preceded by a four-week intensive language course before beginning terms of study at a university.
Humboldt University - Berlin
Founded in 1810, the Humboldt University became a model for the classical integration of teaching and research. Located in the metropolitan center of Berlin , the HU serves a student body of 30,000 with courses beyond the liberal arts curriculum in archeology, linguistics, information theory, and critical languages like Chinese and Arabic. Semester and full year programs are preceded with a four-week intensive language course. Housing is arranged by the University and an online placement exam in German offers students an early indication of opportunities for course registration.
University of Konstanz
University of Konstanz, Germany
The University of Konstanz was founded on an interdisciplinary basis in 1966 and today has a student body of 15,000. The university assigns a graduate student adviser to St. Olaf students, counseling them in all areas of academic life, including course selection and extra-curricular activities. A comprehensive placement exam assures students proper course selection in German and in semester courses. Housing is in dormitories located on the university campus.
University of Flensburg
University of Flensburg, Germany
Founded in 1946, the University of Flensburg overlooks the fjord and border to Denmark , has 2,500 students in a city of 80,000 that offers a culture integrating the Danish-speaking minority. A professor in the English department counsels students in all areas of academic life. The university offers the full range of liberal arts disciplines in small classes with close student-teacher interaction. Semester study is preceded by a four-week intensive language course. Housing is in dormitories on campus and stipends designated for St. Olaf students are available.
University of Paderborn
University of Paderborn, Germany
A comprehensive institution of higher learning founded in 1972, the University of Paderborn has over 15,000 students and offers study across the humanities and fine arts with particular emphasis on engineering, design, economics, and computer technology. Students are advised by a professor of English with graduate assistants covering questions of orientation, registration, and transfer of credit. Housing is in dormitories or in university-rented private quarters.
Intensive Language Course
Students receive one St. Olaf credit in German for successful completion of the language course offered on site at each university. Housing is assigned for the pre-semester course and runs through the full semester or year.
Between the language course and the beginning of the university semester, students have about 10 days of free time. Those who stay for the full year have an additional two-month vacation between semesters (mid-February until mid-April).
Prerequisites
The normal prerequisite for study in Germany is German 251 or 252. Students must earn a grade of at least B- in the last German course taken at St. Olaf before departure.
Credits
Normally students earn a total of five credits for one term of study in Germany (language course plus university courses) and nine credits for a full year's study. The intensive language course taken before the start of the semester counts as one of the five courses in place of the January Interim.
University Semester
At the universities in Berlin, Flensburg, Konstanz, and Paderborn, students take up to four courses during each semester and receive one St. Olaf credit per completed course. If they wish, they may attend more than four courses, but in no case is additional credit given. Upon the student's return to St. Olaf, documentation of semester course work completed in Germany must be presented to the program adviser. Letter grades are assigned for semester courses and are recorded on the St. Olaf transcript but are not counted in the grade point average.
Great Britain
London and Florence: Arts in Context (ACM)
Link to ACM London and Florence
Campus Program Adviser: Sem I: Nancy Thompson (Dittmann 220, x3098); Sem II: Matt Rohn (Dittmann 221, x3479)
See program description in the Italy section of this catalog (p. 25).
University of Aberdeen
Semester I: Sept. 20-Dec. 20 or Jan. 28; Semester II: Jan. 28-June 10; Year: Sept. 20-June 10
Campus Program Adviser: Diana Postlethwaite (Rolvaag 403, x3205)
The University of Aberdeen, Scotland, is one of the oldest universities in Great Britain . It is located on the North Sea coast in northeastern Scotland . Students may participate in semester or yearlong programs. The University of Aberdeen was founded in 1495 and enrolls 11,000 students, of which 150 are from the United States and Canada .
Aberdeen provides a wide range of departments, including law, science, divinity, arts and social sciences. Students normally take three courses per semester, and they may be in any of the listed departments. Classes generally meet three to four times per week and break into small tutorials once a week for discussion. Exceptions to this are upper-level courses in biology and chemistry, which are organized as “blocks” that meet daily and constitute a full-time load. Students are responsible for at least two critical and well-documented papers per term in each class. Tests are given at the end of each term. There is a three-week vacation at Christmas and a four-week vacation in early spring. Students who attend Aberdeen during fall semester arrange an alternative (usually a paper) to the final test during exam period (which take place after Christmas break), and thus will complete the semester before the Christmas vacation.
Students are housed in single dormitory rooms in “flats,” a group of rooms organized around a common kitchen, with the option of kitchen or cafeteria eating. Students are encouraged to travel on weekends and before and after terms. An active program of student organizations offers a wide variety of cultural and social activities.
NOTE: University of Aberdeen has a 3.0 GPA admission requirement.
Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Oxford University, England
Link to Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies Oxford
Semester I: Early September to early December; Semester II: Early January to mid-April; Trinity Term: Late April to mid-June
Campus Program Adviser: Karen Marsalek (Rølvaag 526B, x3438)
The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies is a private educational institution founded in 1975 located in Oxford , England . Its principal aim is to provide an academic and training center for overseas students. It accepts about 50 full-time students, most of whom come from the United States and Canada . They live either in the centers's main building, St. Michael's Hall, or in other Oxford residences found by the center.
The center has its own facilities, but in 2004 it became formally affiliated with St. Peter's College. Under this affiliation, its students become associate members of St. Peter's College, where they are entitled to take meals and enjoy the full range of undergraduate social, cultural and recreational opportunities at the college. The center offers, therefore, opportunities for integration into the life of an Oxford college.
Courses are offered in archaeology, art history, studio art, history, law, languages and literature, music, philosophy, politics and religious studies. The primary focus in these areas is on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, but it is possible to study outside these historical periods and indeed beyond these listed subjects.
Course offerings are carefully designed to meet the needs of students coming for a full year or for a semester. Teaching is carried out through lectures, classes and the distinctive Oxford method of one-on-one tutorial.
The center's calendar is based partly on the American semester system and partly on the Oxford University three-term calendar.
Juniors may apply for the full year, semester I or semester II; seniors may apply for semester I (the center's autumn semester).
London School of Economics and Political Science
Link to London School of Economics and Poltical Science
October to June
Program Adviser: Rick Goedde (Holland 414B, x3126)
Eligibility: Juniors majoring in economics or political science with 3.3 G.P.A. or higher
London School of Economics (LSE) provides economics and political science majors an opportunity to study at a leading British university. The school is noted for its work in economic and social policy. Its proximity to the London financial markets provides a rich environment for the study of finance. LSE has an international student body providing an opportunity to interact with students from many different countries. Students will experience the academic environment involving yearlong courses with comprehensive examinations at year end, combined with considerable student responsibility for the content of their work. For more information, refer to the LSE web site at: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/generalCourse/
University of East Anglia
Semester I: Oct. 1-Dec. 20 or Jan. 20; Semester II: Oct. 1-June 25; Full year: Feb. 1-June 25
Campus Program Adviser: Diana Postlethwaite (Rølvaag 403, x 3205)
The University of East Anglia (UEA) is located about two hours northeast of London near Norwich , England . A modern university, founded in 1963, it is set in beautiful parklands on the west side of the ancient cathedral town of Norwich . It enrolls 4,800 students, 100 to 125 of whom are on junior year abroad. Visiting students are assessed on the basis of essays, seminar presentations and course tests. UEA offers a full range of courses across most major disciplines (see the UEA Undergraduate Course Catalog [http://www.international.uea.ac.uk/study/default.htm] for full details). In the past, St. Olaf students have taken courses primarily in the humanities and social sciences, but UEA is also eager to enroll students in the natural sciences. UEA offers programs in creative writing and film that are among the best in Great Britain .
Visiting students are full members of the university. They live with both British and international students from around the world. Students are housed in single dormitory rooms in “flats,” a group of rooms organized around a common kitchen, with the option of kitchen or cafeteria eating. There is a three-week vacation at Christmas and a four-week vacation at spring break. Students who attend UEA during fall semester arrange an alternative (usually a paper) to the final test during exam period (which takes place after Christmas break), and thus will complete the semester before the Christmas vacation.
Lancaster University
Oct. 7-Dec. 16; Oct. 7-June 30; Jan. 13-June 30
Campus Program Adviser: Sem. I : Amy Kolan ( Science Center 126, X3668)
Sem II : Kim Kandl ( Science Center 144, x3978)
The University of Lancaster opened in 1964 on a new campus two miles from the city of Lancaster . It enrolls about 8,000 students and includes a small shopping center and most of the services necessary to students. The campus is adjacent to the M6 main highway between England and Scotland and is 35 miles from the scenic Lake District .
Instruction is available in any field offered by the university to students with an appropriate background, including English, environmental science, mathematics and the natural sciences.
Students in the Lancaster program are fully recognized students at the university and participate in its programs just as the British students do. While other U.S. students are in the university, every effort is made to integrate them into the life of the university. St. Olaf students usually live in different colleges (combination dormitory and social organizations) and are not grouped together.
The normal load for the year is nine courses (32 Lancaster credits). The normal load for semester I is three courses (9-12 Lancaster credits). The normal load for Interim and semester II is five courses (17-19 Lancaster credits).
Instruction consists of lectures, discussions, tutorials, papers, laboratory work and examinations, with much more emphasis on the independent work of the student and on written papers than is usual at St. Olaf. Faculty advisers are available in all departments to assist students in planning programs, assist with evaluations and generally make the transition easier.
Vacation periods, approximately a month long between terms, enable students to travel to other countries in Europe , if they wish, at their own expense.
Full information about details of the Lancaster program may be obtained from the Office of International and Off-Campus Studies and from the program adviser. Current catalogs from the University of Lancaster list specific course information and are also available at the Office of International and Off-Campus Studies.
Students may enroll for a semester program at Lancaster University , but priority in the selection process is given
Junior Year Abroad Program, Harris Manchester College, Oxford
Link to Harris Manchester College
Oct. 1-June 26
Campus Program Adviser: Charles Taliaferro (Holland Hall 506, x3662)
This Junior Year Abroad Program is open to a limited number of juniors, normally eight, who live and study for the year at Harris Manchester College , Oxford University .
Harris Manchester College traces its history back more than 200 years, though it only moved to Oxford in 1889. It descends from a distinguished tradition of “dissenting academies,” institutions of higher learning founded to provide instruction to those who dissented from and who were not members of the Church of England. Among its early teachers were Jean-Paul Marat, the French revolutionary; Joseph Priestley, the discoverer of oxygen and John Dalton, the developer of modern atomic theory.
For years, Manchester 's principal educational purpose was to train men and women for the ministry in the Unitarian Church . Today the college is a fully chartered college of the University of Oxford for mature undergraduate and postgraduate students, and thus all the university's services and facilities – libraries, lectures, associations, sports – are open to its students. It is situated in the heart of Oxford and its neo-Gothic architecture, faculty organization and student lifestyle are like those of any other Oxford college.
Tutorial instruction is available primarily in English, geography, history, religion, philosophy, politics and mathematics. The academic calendar is that of the university. In each of the three terms – Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity – students receive a major tutorial (two credits) and a minor tutorial (one credit), for a total accumulation of nine course credits. Between terms are breaks of about a month, which students may use as they wish at their own expense.
University of SheffieldMid-September to late January; Early February to mid-June; Mid-September to mid-June
Campus Program Adviser: Kim Kandl ( Science Center 144, x3978)
The University of Sheffield , founded in 1905, is ranked in the top six in both teaching and research in the United Kingdom . It is ranked number one by its students for sporting and other social activities. The city of Sheffield - UK 's City of Sport – is home to many sporting venues, including Europe 's largest outdoor artificial ski center. It has many parks and woodlands and is located near the Peak District National Park .
The University of Sheffield offers students the opportunity to study in a number of liberal arts disciplines.
The Study Abroad handbook, available on line, gives complete details on the courses of study at Sheffield . The normal course load for a visiting student is four to six courses (which they call modules) and students should register for approximately 60 Sheffield credits per semester for a normal workload. Depending on the courses selected, instruction will consist of lectures, labs, seminars and some small tutorials.
Vacation periods of approximately 4 weeks each fall over the Christmas break during the first semester program and over Easter break during the spring semester.
Visiting students are guaranteed accommodation and board plan in University owned halls of residence.
For more information, you can visit the University of Sheffield website at: www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/sa
Note: The University of Sheffield has a 3.0 GPA admission requirement.
Hungary
Mathematics Semester in Budapest
Early September to mid-December; Early February to early June
Campus Program Adviser: Cliff Corzatt ( Old Music Hall 102, x3415)
In this program intended for junior and senior students majoring in mathematics, all classes are headquartered at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest , though students take excursions to other cities in Europe . A typical student load consists of three mathematics courses and one intercultural course. A one-week break is provided in each semester.
This program is operated by the Mathematical Institutes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and of Eotvos University , Budapest . The North American director (currently Paul Humke of the
St. Olaf Department of Mathematics) makes final decisions on acceptance to the program.
Ireland and Northern Ireland
Campus Program Adviser: Jim Farrell (Holland Hall 513B, x3143)
Students of junior or senior standing have the option of spending semester I, Interim and semester II or the full year at an Irish university. Programs exist at University College Dublin, University College Galway and University of Dublin-Trinity College. In addition, there is a spring semester program in Northern Ireland .
The university programs are intended for students of an independent nature who wish to study in Ireland in any number of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences or mathematics. Ireland offers a distinctly foreign cultural experience in the English language. These programs provide a rigorous academic and intellectual experience as well as close contact with Irish society and culture.
National University of Ireland, Galway
Link to University College Galway
September to June; September to December; January to June
Located in the west of Ireland in the city of Galway , National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI-Galway) offers a wide range of subjects for study. In the heart of one of the Gaelic speaking areas of Ireland , Galway provides unique opportunities for contact with both traditional and modern Ireland . Students live in college-owned housing or private accommodations shared with other students off-campus.
NOTE: National University of Ireland has a minimum 3.0 GPA admission requirement.
Trinity College, University of Dublin
October to June
Application Deadline: Feb. 15. NOTE: This deadline is earlier than the other Ireland programs.
Ireland 's oldest university, founded by Queen Elizabeth I as a training center for church and political leaders, Trinity College numbers many of Ireland 's famous writers among its graduates. It is located in the center of Dublin . Students live in college-owned housing or in private accommodations shared with other students off campus.
University College Dublin
Link to University College Dublin
October to June; October to December;January to June
University College Dublin (UCD) is the largest of the three colleges of the National University of Ireland. It has a combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment of 10,000 students studying in nine faculties. The main campus is at Belfield, about three miles from the center of Dublin . The college opened in 1854 and listed among its more famous graduates is James Joyce. In addition to all of the cultural advantages of the capital city, students have all rights and privileges of Irish students. Students live in college-owned housing or in private accommodations shared with other students off campus.
NOTE: University College Dublin has a minimum 3.0 GPA admission requirement.
Northern Ireland: Democracy and Social Change (HECUA)
Link to HECUA Northern Ireland
Late January to mid-May
Since the Good Friday accords of 1996, Northern Ireland has entered a Brave New World of mostly peaceful coexistence with the Irish Republic . The Democracy and Social Change Program in Northern Ireland examines the historical, political and religious roots of the conflict in Northern Ireland , the prospects for peace and the progress being made. All students participate in the same program. Courses offered are “ Northern Ireland : Building a Sustainable Democracy” and “Politics of Conflict and Transformation.” A two credit internship is part of the program. Possible internships available may be with Amnesty International, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
Classes will be held at the University of Ulster with field study in selected regions of Northern Ireland . The University of Ulster is designated United National University for the study of conflict, attracting scholars and students worldwide with whom students will interact. The program is affiliated with the UNESCO Center for Education for Pluralism, Human Rights and Democracy (United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization).
In Northern Ireland , students will have a five-week home stay on the north coast in Coleraine while taking core seminars at the University of Ulster . During the seven-week internship, students will live in a student village near the university and share living space with other students.
General education requirements filled by the program are HBS, Studies in Human Behavior and Society; (HWC) Historical Studies in Western Culture
Italy
Italy Arts of Florence (ACM)
August to December
Campus Program Adviser: Sem I: Nancy Thompson (Dittmann 220, x3098) Sem II: Matt Rohn (Dittmann 221, x3479)
Enrollment: 25-30 students
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors
The Florence Program provides an excellent opportunity to study Florentine painting, sculpture, architecture, history and literature for students interested in art, history, Romance Languages and the humanities. Italian language instruction, a studio art course and courses providing a broad perspective on Italian contributions to world civilization facilitate the study of Florentine artistic and cultural heritage. Visits to museums and galleries, short field trips to other cities throughout Italy and discussions with local scholars supplement this course work. Staying with Italian host families enriches participants' awareness of modern Italian life as well as the academic study of Italian culture.
London and Florence: Arts in Context (ACM)
Link to ACM London and Florence
Late January to May
Campus Program Adviser: Sem I: Nancy Thompson (Dittmann 220, x3098) Sem II: Matt Rohn (Dittmann 221, x3479)
Enrollment: 50 students (25 begin in London , 25 in Florence )
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors and seniors
The London and Florence Program compares the artistic achievements of two historically prominent cities. Participants study the historical and political context of art, architecture, literature and theater as well as Italian language. Visits to museums, galleries, theaters, short trips to other areas of England and Italy and discussions with local scholars supplement this course. Students spend eight weeks in each city and enjoy a weeklong mid-semester break. An intensive course in Italian language is offered every January in Florence (3 semester credits).
IES: Milan
Semester I, semester II or full year
Campus Program Adviser: Dan Dressen (Christiansen 103, x3180)
Of special interest to music students, the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES) Milan program offers students the opportunity to combine Italian language study with courses in music and musical instruction. Students in the program are required to study Italian language at either the beginning or intermediate level. In addition to language study, students can take courses in music theory, a music performance workshop or courses in other disciplines, taught in English.
Qualified students also have the opportunity to have musical instruction at a number of outstanding musical institutions. Instruction in vocal and instrumental performance, composition and orchestra is arranged by the IES Milan director. The director also works as an adviser to find a performance placement to match the academic requirements of each student's home school. (Since these performance opportunities require special admission procedures, students should contact the St. Olaf program adviser well in advance of the application deadline.)
Housing arrangements in Milan provide students with a unique opportunity to experience the Italian lifestyle of students and young professionals. Students are housed in apartments with Italian roommates – generally two or three IES students live with one or two Italians. A limited number of home-stay placements may be available.
More information about the program can be obtained from the IES web site at www.iesabroad.org.
Norway
The Norwegian department strongly encourages its majors to spend at least a summer – preferably a semester or year – studying in Norway .
All St. Olaf students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Norway as part of their St. Olaf education. Scholarships are available for study in Norway on all programs. Some of the following programs of study in Norway are also available to students who do not speak Norwegian:
Norwegian University Programs
Oslo International Summer School
Scandinavian Studies in Telemark
Scandinavian Urban Studies Term
Divided States of Europe
See program descriptions in the Scandinavia section of this catalog (p. 28).
Russia
Term in St. Petersburg (CIEE)
August to December
Campus Program Adviser: Irina Walter (Old Main 12D, x3112)
Eligibility: One year Russian language
In cooperation with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), St. Olaf offers a semester program at St. Petersburg University – one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Russia . The 15-week program (late August to mid-December) includes courses in Russian literature, culture, film, grammar, phonetics, conversation, translation and analytical reading. Lectures include topics from history, political science and art history.
The academic program is supplemented with excursions and field trips, including a trip to Moscow and other Russian cities. The trips are coordinated with the academic program through class-room preparation.
Students live with host families selected by the CIEE program.
Novgorod State University
Fall Semester
Campus Program Adviser: Irina Walter (Old Main 12D, x3112) and Marc Robinson (Old Main 12B, x3160)
The fall semester program at Novgorod State University (NVSU) allows flexible language and culture studies while integrating classes outside the St. Olaf Russian major within a Russian context. While in Novgorod , students will focus on perfecting their Russian language skills in an academic setting while adapting to daily Russian life. In addition to enhancing their Russian fluency, students will enroll in a Russian culture class that covers a specific aspect of Russian life or history and is combined with city and regional excursions. Along with the culture class, students may choose to have an independent study at NVSU. Credits may transfer to St. Olaf if previous arrangements are made with an on-campus department. The immersion of students into Russian culture serves as the greatest learning tool offered by the program. Students stay with host families selected by Novgorod State University based on their experience with hosting and their ability to effectively and safely house students. All meals are taken with the family. Apartments are within walking distance of the university or near the public transportation lines.
NOTE: Participants in this program have the option of completing a service project for 0.5 credit. See the Study/Service section on page 31)
Scandinavia
Denmark's International Study Program (DIS)
Denmark International Study Program
Semester I, Interim & semester II, full year
Campus Program Advisers: Margaret Hayford O'Leary (Old Main 14A, x3569); Rick Goedde ( Holland 414B, x3126); Eric Cole ( Science Center 222, x3395)
Undergraduate courses at DIS fall into a number of main curricula: European culture and history, marine and environmental biology, international business and economics, medical practice and policy, psychology and child development, China studies, European politics and society, molecular biology and biotechnology, migration and multiculturalism in Europe, communication and mass mediacross and pre-architecture. Students of junior or senior standing with at least a 3.0 G.P.A. can spend semester I, Interim and semester II or the full year studying at Denmark 's International Study Program.
The courses are selected to cover fields where Scandinavia can offer English-speaking students a unique academic experience. International business courses will, in most cases, apply to the management or finance area of emphasis in economics or to the management concentration. Selected courses may count toward many majors, including Economics, Biology and Art, as well as the Nordic Studies Concentration.
Classes are taught in English by Danish faculty members and are integrated with academic field work and optional study tours to other Scandinavian and European countries, including Eastern Europe and Russia . A complete catalog is available from the program advisers or Office of International and Off-Campus Studies.
Program participants live with Danish families or in Danish student housing. For more information, refer to the DIS web site at www.dis.dk.
Norwegian University Exchange Programs: Stavanger University College, Telemark University College, University of Oslo, University of TromsoCampus Program Adviser: Anne G. Sabo (Old Main 14C, x8105)
New exchange agreements with several Universities in Norway allow students to spend a semester or full year studying in various disciplines within the liberal arts. These universities offer a range of courses in English. Students with advanced language skills may be eligible to take classes in Norwegian as well. Consult with the St. Olaf program adviser for more information.
Stavanger University College : Stavanger is in an old city located on the southwest coast of Norway , and is the center of the oil industry. Stavanger University College offers a program in Norwegian language and culture. Additional information can be found on the university web site: www.his.no
Telemark University College : This university is located in the heart of Norway in Bo, two hours by train from Oslo . It offers an excellent program, Scandinavian Studies in Telemark (see additional details on this program below). Additional information can be found on the university web site: www.hit.no
University of Oslo : This is a large university located in the bustling capital of Norway . A variety of programs are available in English. The SUST program is also based at the University of Oslo – see description of this program below. ). Additional information can be found on the university web site: www.uio.no
University of Troms ø : Located in the far arctic regions of Norway , the University of Tromsø offers a unique fall program on Artic Norway. ). Additional information can be found on the university web site: www.uit.no
University of Oslo International Summer School (ISS)
Link to Oslo International Summer School
Campus Program Adviser: Torild Homstad (Old Main 10, x3269)
The ISS offers a broad program of study in the areas of Norwegian politics, culture and society, history, literature, art history, music, and international relations on an undergraduate level. All courses are taught in English. Norwegian language courses from beginning to advanced levels are also offered. Many ISS courses may be counted for St. Olaf GE credits, but should be arranged in advance.
Graduate courses are available in media studies, energy planning and sustainable development, international development studies, international community health, special education and peace research.
In addition to the academic program, the ISS offers a wide range of cultural events, film nights, international evenings and forums, social get-togethers, sports and local excursions to places of interest in the Oslo area. A varied weekend excursion program includes cultural heritage tours, mountain hiking and rafting, as well as a tour to Bergen and the fjords of Western Norway .
The North American Admissions Office of the University of Oslo International Summer School , which is responsible for the admission of U.S. and Canadian citizens to the ISS, has been located at St. Olaf College campus since 1948. Over several generations, hundreds of St. Olaf students have studied at the ISS during the summer, joining the other 500 participants who come from over 80 different nations.
The ISS runs for six weeks from late June through early August.
Applicants must have completed one year of college. There is no language requirement. Applications for admission should be submitted to the International Summer School Office in Old Main Annex by Feb. 1. Late applications are accepted on a space-available basis.
Scandinavian Studies in Telemark
Fall Semester (approx. Aug. 20 to Dec. 20)
Spring Semester (approx mid-Jan to early June)
Campus Program Adviser: Anne G. Sabo (Old Main 14C, x8105)
Program Sponsor: Telemark University College, Telemark, Norway
Telemark University College , located in the heart of Norway in a region where both traditional culture (art, music and folklore) and modern industry thrive, has developed the Scandinavian Studies in Telemark program to help promote intellectual and cultural understanding among nations.
Eligibility
The Scandinavian Studies in Telemark program is open to students of all majors who have completed at least one year of college with a 3.0 GPA. No prior study of Norwegian is required. Students interested in studying cultural identity and the environment from the perspective of ecophilosophy and the history and development of outdoor free-activities (exercise) might find this program particularly interesting.
Through coursework and extracurricular activities, students will gain a deeper understanding of Telemark and of Norway , and will be stimulated to develop critical thinking skills and to become responsible and knowledgeable citizens of the world. Students engage in intercultural experiences through class sessions, guided field trips, campus activities, dorm life and community interaction. Students will have the opportunity to experience the broad range of art, music, literature, folklore and outdoor recreation that typify Telemark culture.
The academic component will present aspects of Norwegian culture as separate topics. Courses are taught by faculty of Telemark University College and will include lecture, discussion, field work, group work, research projects and oral and written presentations. Evaluation will be based on student participation, presentations and written final exams. Students will take a minimum of four courses during the semester. The required core courses are “Telemark I: Regional Identity” (fall) and “ Telemark II: Social and Cultural Expressions ” (spring). Both include a number of study trips in Telemark. The other three courses can be selected from additional courses taught in English, including “Ecophilosophy.” “The Individual, Environs and Society (Friluftsliv),” “Emigration/Immigration: Midwestern Texts,” “Modern Norwegian Literature: Film and Fiction, ” and “ An Introduction to Norwegian History for International Students. ” All courses are not offered every semester. The courses taught in English are at the upper-division undergraduate level. In addition to the courses taught in English, students may elect to take a course at various levels in Norwegian. Independent study is also an option.
Accommodations
Students will live with Norwegian and other international students in single rooms with shared baths and kitchens in the student dormitories on the campus of Telemark University College in the town of Bø in Telemark, about 180 km from Oslo (approximately one and a half hours by train). Students will cook their own food in shared kitchens.
Scandinavian Urban Studies Term (SUST)
Semester I
Campus Program Adviser: Steve Soderlind (Holland Hall 414E x3153)
Program Sponsor: Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) in affiliation with the University of Oslo
SUST is a fall semester study program in Norway , with travel study to Sweden and Denmark . Students gain a deep understanding of contemporary Scandanavia, using immigration, globalization, and the welfare state as the focus for investigation. Guest speakers, fieldwork experiences and internships offer students the opportunity to engage with politicians, researchers, artists, interest organizations, immigrant communities and other students. Students study Scandanavia in an urban context with hands-on projects and collaborative work with students from various backgrounds. Students also intern for one day a week with a community or political organization in Oslo . In past years internship sites have included the Oslo Red Cross, the Anti-Racism Centre and Friends of the Earth Norway.
Visits to Sweden and Denmark provide the opportunity to conduct comparative fieldwork on the welfare state and urban and regional developments. Another part of the program is an extended field excursion to witness windows on the new Europe . Time in Stockholm , Sweden , highlights pioneering policies on land and social housing. The visit to Estonia , one of three former Soviet Baltic states, offers a chance to study an emerging democracy.
In addition to the political and cultural study, art and literature are used to illuminate changes in society. Students also explore the relationship between Scandinavian countries and broader global politics. Each student can carry out an independent study project on a topic of personal choice, which includes hands-on field research. The option of Norwegian language study offers another opportunity to experience Norway 's culture.
Students live in a student village near the campus of the University of Oslo and share living space with Norwegian and other international students. Students receive a monthly stipend to buy and cook their own food. One regional home stay over a weekend is arranged in Norway .
SUST is led by a dedicated program director who is responsible for all aspects of the semester and is key contact person for students. SUST gives students the chance to bridge their academic learning with direct experience of critical social issues.
Eligibility
Open to students of sophomore, junior or senior standing. No prior study of Norwegian is required. The opportunity to study the Norwegian language is possible while participating in SUST. Students test into the appropriate level at the University of Oslo and courses do not interfere with the SUST schedule.
General education requirements filled by the program are HBS, Studies in Human Behavior and Society; ALS-L, Literary Studies, WRI, Writing; FOL-N, Foreign Language-Norwegian (if level is equivalent to 231 or above).
Divided States of Europe: Globalization and Inequalities in the New Europe
Semester II
Campus Program Advisor: Patrick Dale ( Holland 103E, x3723)
Program Sponsor: Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA) in affiliation with the University of Oslo
Divided States of Europe is a spring semester program in Norway , which includes fieldwork in Poland . Students examine the development of the European Union (EU), including its historical foundations and institutional basis, contemporary democratic and social challenges and its expansion to include the former communist nation-states of Central and Eastern Europe . During the program, students explore the relationship between the EU and globalization through fieldwork experiences, guest speakers, hands-on independent study projects, and a volunteer placement one day a week working with one of a variety of government and community organizations.
Scandinavia and Poland will be used as case studies throughout the program; Scandinavia because of its strong democratic credentials, relatively even distribution of wealth, and unique ranges of experiences within the European integration project; Poland because of its tumultuous history, recent accession to EU membership, and role as a major supplier of migrant labor within Europe. Students will use these case studies to better understand the economic, political, and social inequalities that coexist within today's Europe .
Students live in a village near the campus of the University of Oslo and share living space with Norwegian and other international students. Students receive a monthly stipend to buy and cook their own food. In Poland , housing will be in youth hostels or similar accommodation.
Divided States of Europe is led by a dedicated program director and gives students the opportunity to both study and experience firsthand some of the critical social issues of modern Europe.
Eligibility: Open to students of sophomore, junior, or senior standing. No prior study of Norwegian is required.
Spain
Seville Program (CIEE)
Semester I, Interim & semester II, full year
Campus Program Adviser: Sem. I: Gwen Barnes-Karol (Old Main 24, x3380) Sem. II: Leon Narváez (Old Main 22A, x3557)
The Seville program assumes that the student has already achieved the capacity to work in Spanish as the sole medium of study and endeavor. This capacity gives students in Seville access to courses in the humanities, social sciences and fine arts, some of which are available through the regular curriculum of the University of Seville or of the University Pablo de Olavide, although most courses are taken with CIEE professors. Not surprisingly, there are substantial course offerings having to do with Spain . Students usually live with a Spanish family. Living with a Spanish family provides an important dimension to the overall experience.
Enrollees from St. Olaf have several scheduling options:
1. Early September to mid-December or early January to late May (Intensive Session plus four courses during the Regular University Session yield four St. Olaf course credits. No University of Seville or University Pablo de Olavide courses available.)
2. Early September to late January or early January to late June (Intensive Session plus five courses [at least one of which must be a University of Seville or University Pablo de Olavide course] during the Regular University
Session yield five St. Olaf course credits.)
3. Early September to late June (Intensive Session plus nine courses [of which one or more must be a University of Seville or University Pablo de Olavide course during the second semester] yield nine St. Olaf course credits).
Intensive Session
An initial period of study (three to four weeks) in September or January is devoted to preparing the students for their
incorporation into the Spanish academic environment of Cycle II. Emphasis is given to amplifying and solidifying the student's Spanish language skills and introducing the student to life in Spain . Credit for Cycle I, which is obligatory for all students, is three semester hours.
Regular University Session
An 11- or 15-week period for which each student constructs his or her own program of study from the special courses offered by the CIEE staff as well course offerings from the University of Seville and the University Pablo de Olavide. Each student takes four or five semester courses.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The academic program is supplemented by excursions, for example, to the historical monuments of Seville , and by field trips within Andalusia . Opportunities to do volunteer work in the community are available as well as opportunities to participate in interest groups that include Spaniards.
Note: All majors in Spanish participating in this program are reminded that final responsibility rests with them to avoid
taking any course at Seville that overlaps with a course they may have taken at St. Olaf or that they have contracted in their course projection to take on the home campus after their return. To do so may result in loss of credit and may make it difficult to complete the major requirements within the four-year program.
