Summer 2027
In Summer 2027, Dr. Arum Park will be offering Classics and Religious Studies courses through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program, and the Department of Religious Studies and Classics is offering scholarships for students enrolling in these courses.
The program dates in Italy are mid May through late June, 2027, and the Study Abroad application deadline is February 25, 2027. The beautiful, historic town of Orvieto is only one hour from Rome. The program will include field trips to Rome and other locations in Italy.
Courses
Dr. Park will be offering the following courses for the summer 2027 Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program (Religious Studies majors/minors: Contact Dr. Park to arrange to take these courses for RELI credit!):
- CLAS 160D2: Classical Mythology: Ancient Stories and What they Tell Us (Gen Ed: EP Humanist / Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures). Description: The myths, legends, and folktales of the Greeks, Romans and the peoples of the ancient Near East have remained popular for thousands of years. Together we'll not only learn about these stories themselves, but also think about why these stories are so popular, where they came from, and what insights they give us into the various people and cultures who created and reinterpreted them across the millennia.
- CLAS 342: The Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Epic Tradition (Gen Ed Exploring Perspectives, Humanist / Tier 2 Humanities). This is a General Education Exploring Perspectives (Humanist) course carrying the Writing and World Cultures and Societies attributes. We will build a community of inquiry into Homeric literature and society using tools like close reading to examine the Homeric characters within the Iliad and Odyssey with a view to what forces--social, divine, individualistic, artistic--inform their thoughts and actions. We will draw parallels and examine contrasts between our own societies and that of the characters within the Iliad and Odyssey, and we will be assisted in these critical analyses by the work of modern scholars who have attempted to understand the world of Homer using interpretive tools like close reading and literary analysis. Students will be invited to use their own experiences as interpretive lenses through which to understand the world of Homer; conversely, students will also be invited to use the world of Homer to understand their own.
- CLAS/RELI 399 - Independent Study. Please contact Dr. Park directly to discuss independent study options. (Only for majors/minors who have already taken the courses above and need an upper-level CLAS/RELI course.)
Questions about the above study abroad courses can be directed to Dr. Arum Park at arumpark@arizona.edu.
Study Abroad Scholarships Available!
Students are welcome to apply for any and all of the funding awards listed below for which they are eligible. Any questions about study abroad scholarships can be directed to Dr. Courtney Friesen at friesen@arizona.edu.
2027 Arizona in Orvieto Awards offered by the Department of Religious Studies & Classics
1. General Arizona in Orvieto Award:
Awards of up to $500 are available for any University of Arizona student enrolled in CLAS 160D2 and/or CLAS 342 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. Priority will be given to majors or minors in the Department of Religious Studies & Classics, but all U of A students (with any major/minor) can apply. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received.
2. Arizona in Orvieto Award for Majors in Classics and/or Religious Studies:
Additional monetary awards are available for majors in Classics, Religious Studies, and/or RSHP who are enrolled in CLAS 160D2 and/or CLAS 342 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received. Majors in the department will be considered for both the General Award and the Majors Award.
Majors should ALSO APPY for the following study abroad awards (more details are further below):
- College of Humanities FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD Scholarship ($2,000) and other COH Study Abroad Scholarships (February deadline): Apply here
- SILLC Global Award ($1,500 - February deadline): Apply here.
- Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award ($250): Apply here.
Arizona in Orvieto Award Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the end of the Spring 2027 semester. Application instructions can be found here.
More Info & Application Instructions
See below for additional study abroad scholarships!
ADDITIONAL STUDY ABROAD FUNDING:
SILLC Global Award for SILLC Majors (Applications Due February 16, 2027):
Awards of up to $1,500 are available to SILLC majors to support participation in Study Abroad. SILLC majors include Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, Italian Studies and more. More information and application instructions can be found on the SILLC Global Award Fund webpage.
Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies Majors:
Majors in Religious Studies and Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) who apply for the SILLC Global Award are automatically considered for the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies. Award amounts are typically $600.
Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award
Several awards of $250 are available for University of Arizona students enrolled in a UArizona Classics course while participating in Study Abroad programs in Italy.
College of Humanities Scholarships (Applications Due In February Each Year):
Numerous scholarships are available for College of Humanities majors (Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, etc.), including the FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD scholarship ($2,000) and other study abroad scholarships.
UA Study Abroad Office - Scholarships and Financial Aid:
Please contact the Study Abroad office to discuss additional funding opportunities to make your study abroad dreams a reality!
Questions? Contact Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu