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Study Abroad - Programs
Winter 2003
Italy EDUC
January 3, 2003 - February 5, 2003

Please note that this program is highly competitive and will accept only a limited number of applicants.
Please note that this program has an early application and first deposit deadline of September 23, 2002.
Program Overview

How do readers learn to make meaning from texts? “Literacy in Italy” will allow you to study the development of literacy in children and young adolescents and to discover how instruction, assessment, materials and motivation can aid in that development. Professors Gwynne Ash and Charles MacArthur are offering a study abroad program for elementary education students who are excited by the opportunity to consider multiple types of texts and how readers make meaning with print-based and multimedia texts.

The program’s goals are to give you practical experience in applying strategies for assessment of literacy development; using that assessment to design effective literacy instruction; selecting materials that are helpful in that instruction, of interest to your students and valuable on a cultural/societal level; and motivating your students to see literacy as a valuable tool in their lives. Plus, being in a country where the print-based texts will be difficult to make meaning with (they are in Italian) will provide you with a valuable chance to experience life as someone who struggles with literacy—and to help you better understand the difficulties of students who are not yet proficient readers.

The program will be split between Rome and Florence, with approximately two weeks in each location. Mornings will be dedicated to instructional activities, including visits to schools and discussions with Italian educators. Afternoons will be free, allowing you to experience the cultural opportunities of these two beautiful cities.

Students will visit major museums such as the Uffizi, the Accademia, and the Vatican Museums, as well as architectural and cultural points of interest. In addition to the two major cities, students will travel on day-trips to other points of interest such as Pisa and Siena. There will also be an overnight trip to Naples to visit the ruins of Pompeii and the National Archeological Museum. Additionally, study abroad participants will be actively communicating with school children via the Internet, sharing their learning and experiences with students learning about Italy at home in Delaware.

Courses
Students must enroll in all courses for credit and a grade; pass/fail and audit registration is not permitted.

Honors credit may be available. Check with the faculty director and the Honors program for prior approval (before departure).

All students must enroll in 6 credits, as well as the 0-credit UNIV course.

EDUC320 - Reading and Writing in the Middle Grades (3 cr.)
Focuses on literacy instruction on the middle school level in five specific areas: guided reading; engagement and fluency; word study and vocabulary; independent reading; and writing instruction. While in Italy, students will study these areas, but also interdisciplinary teaching, multimedia texts and sociocultural aspects of literacy.
Prerequisite:Admission to upper division coursework within the Elementary Teacher Education program; EDUC 310 (Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades)
Satisfies the following requirements:
      Satisfies a second block methods requirement for Elementary Teacher Education.

EDUC436 - Literacy Problems: Assessment and Instruction (3 cr.)
Focuses on the needs of children and adolescents who demonstrate significant problems in reading and writing. Emphasis is placed on understanding and analysis of learning problems and the design of instruction in reading and language arts. While in Italy, students will make extensive use of case studies of learners who struggle with reading.
Prerequisite:Admission to upper division coursework within the Elementary Teacher Education program; EDUC 310 (Reading and Writing in the Primary Grades)
Satisfies the following requirements:
      Satisfies a second block methods requirement for Elementary Teacher Education.
Requirements
Applicants should have a G.P.A. of at least 2.0 (on a 4.00 scale). We encourage freshmen to apply! For all participants, a formal application is necessary, including a deposit, one transcript (non-University of Delaware students only), and one recommendation. An interview may be conducted in person or by telephone.

Study abroad at the University of Delaware is highly competitive. See here for an overview of the acceptance process. If you are not selected for your first choice program, we recommend moving your application and deposit to another program (by emailing your request to studyabroad@udel.edu).

Italy EDUC Program Costs
Participants in the Italy EDUC program will be charged University of Delaware tuition for one Winter Session and the program fee. The program fee usually covers round-trip airfare, housing, and all excursions but does not include transportation to/from the group's initial departure airport. Your specific program fee may or may not include these and other items, check with the faculty director for details.

A $200 deposit towards the program fee must be paid by no later than September 23, 2002 , although we recommend that you pay your deposit within three working days of submitting your application. The deposit is non-refundable if you are admitted into the program. The program acceptance list will be available approximately two weeks later. See below for additional program fee and tuition payment deadlines.

UD students pay all program fee deposits by direct bank transfer via this website: http://www.udel.edu/studyabroadpayments. Non-UD students should send a check, payable to the University of Delaware, to CFIS, Elliott Hall, 26 East Main Street, Newark, DE 19716. Credit card payments are not accepted.

  DE Resident Non-DE Resident
Final Tuition based on current year 950 2736
Final Program Fee 2575 2575
UD Registration & Activities Fee 20 20
Final Total 3545 5331

Please note that final program fees are subject to change until the group's departure date. Final program fees may be increased due to airline taxes, fuel surcharges, exchange rates, or changes in the group size.

Scholarships
Need- and merit-based scholarships are available to UD undergraduates on a competitive basis. For more details and to apply for a scholarship, go to our scholarships page (and be sure to submit scholarship materials by the deadlines).
Deadlines
All payments and application materials are due by 5:00pm on the dates listed below: Please note that this program is highly competitive and will accept only a limited number of applicants.
  • Application and $200 deposit deadline: September 23, 2002
  • $800 deposit deadline: October 22, 2002
  • Final program fee balance due: November 8, 2002
  • Tuition and Registration Fee due: December 12, 2002
Contact Information
Charles MacArthur
Faculty Director
School of Education
303E Willard Hall
Phone:(302) 831-4572
Email: macarthu@udel.edu


Gwynne Ash
Faculty Director
School of Education
133D Willard Hall
Phone:(302) 831-4227
Email: gash@udel.edu