Class Schedule

I received an email today with my expected class schedule for my semester in Florence. I can't complain, I got into all of the classes that I wanted to take, the only difference is that my Monday class was moved to noon instead of 3 (there go my super long weekend trips, guess I will have to return on Sundays) I think I can work with that.

So here it is, my class schedule complete with course descriptions. Looks like I will have plenty of time to travel on weekends.


Monday 

Italian Food and Culture: Pairing Food & Wine 12-3pm

Italian cuisine is the result of many different regional culinary traditions that, although merged and diluted over centuries, still maintain their particular flavors and distinct ingredients. Thanks in recent years to a greater availability of wines from different regions, the pairing of food and wine, always a traditional aspect of Italian cuisine, has become more important in the organization of a menu and the presentation of a meal. In this course the various ways of pairing Italian food and wine will be analyzed and used for menu planning. This involves research into aspects of both wine and food, with special emphasis on classification and technical terminology, nutritional and health issues, chemical composition, sensory and other evaluation techniques, as well as cooking skills that will be practiced regularly in class.

Tuesday 

Italian Language 9-10am

This level is for absolute beginner students who have never studied Italian before: it is the first of six levels and its aim is to give the basis of the language, allowing students to deal with the most common everyday situations by expressing themselves in the present and past tenses. All the four main language abilities - understanding, speaking, reading and writing - are gradually developed. In this level, listening and speaking skills are stressed. These language patterns will be taught within a cultural context that will help students to become familiar with some of the most significant elements of Italian cultural life. Grammar: definite and indefinite article: Noun-adjective agreement. Regular present tense. To have. To be. There is-there are. Main irregular verbs. Prepositions and verbs of motion. Present perfect, most common irregular past participles. Possessives. The verb piacere. Some thematic areas covered: Introducing oneself. Introducing another person. In a café. Offering, accepting and refusing something. Shopping for food. In a restaurant. Daily life and spare time. At the railway station. Expressing the time. Finding the way. Talking about one's past. Talking about vacations. Describing someone. The family.

Current Trends in Italian Cuisine 12-3pm

This course explores major trends in contemporary Italian cuisine that have been emerging in recent decades. These trends, revealed in both everyday and haute cuisine, involve fresh reinterpretations of regional traditions, revaluation of local products, interest in lighter and healthier diet, and an emphasis on creativity. Driving these trends are such diverse factors as interest in other cuisines, innovations by leading chefs, and especially changes in Italian society and lifestyles. Students learn basic cooking skills as well as some specialized cooking methods and techniques. They discover how to select quality ingredients, and they compare their eating habits with those common in Italy today. Particular focus is given to the following aspects: historical origins and developments of food production, regional dishes, seasonal and environmental conditions, social issues, nutrition, safety and health. In each lesson students learn how to prepare representative recipes, with attention to ingredients, nutritional values, and presentation.

Publishing Design 3-5pm

This course guides students to the realization of projects that have a real professional purpose. The course is based on the realization of the corporate identity of an existing business and on the launch of a new commercial product. This course explores all the theoretical, practical and technical aspects of the profession of the graphic designer, and gives students a detailed knowledge of bidimensional vector design. The skills of each student are taken into consideration in defining with the teacher the most appropriate individual program. Publishing Design is a course for intermediate/advanced students. Curiosity and an inclination for research are the essential characteristics of students who are interested in this course. Professional printing skills are developed in a commercial printing center.

Wednesday

Florence Sketchbook 9-10 & 11-1

This course consists of gathering research in the traditional form of sketching from the museums, streets, and environments of Florence as artists have done for centuries. This includes working from sculptures, paintings, architecture, formal gardens, as well as drawing from life in the streets and markets. Students will be encouraged to write annotations and observations as well as to investigate their areas of interest. Students gain firsthand knowledge of original works by studying them in situ, learn drawing and painting skills in a refreshing way, and learn to create professional sketchbooks that may serve as source material for future projects.

Thursday

Italian Language 9-10