Location:

Venice, Italy

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

MayMester Intersession

Program Overview

Program Description:

Georgia State offers many summer and maymester programs led and taught by Georgia State professors. These programs tend to be focused on a particular topic or theme and range from 10 to 20 participants, though some are larger. Students participate in lectures, site visits, excursions, and tours as part of the program. These programs usually last between two and six weeks. Students find these programs a great way to really get to know their professors and other GSU students while earning GSU credits and grades. Students do not have to study on a program related to their major, but they certainly can. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

The program is based on an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines the disciplines of immunology and environmental sciences. The course will be taught by Drs. Roberta Attanasio and Robert Simmons from Georgia State University and Prof. Emanuele Argese from Ca' Foscari University (Venice) - Dr. Attanasio will cover the general introduction to the course as well as the immunological and environmental aspects of the program, whereas Dr. Simmons will cover the art and science of glass making and will be responsible for the field trips to the Murano island (see below). Prof. Argese is the Director of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Ca' Foscari and is our host. The Venice lagoon provides a unique setting to examine many environmental issues and clean-up strategies. Prof. Argese will coordinate all the aspects of the program related to ecotoxicology and environmental clean-up and will be aided by scientists in his Department. They will present their personal work and experiences related to the environmental issues of the Venice lagoon. Together, we discuss: The immune system - Environmental pollutants - Endocrine disruptors, heavy metals - Global warming - How immune responses are modulated by environmental pollutants - Causal links between exposure and immunomodulation, including the corresponding basic molecular mechanisms - Environmental clean-up - Risk assessment - Measures of exposure to environmental hazards - Risk perception - The precautionary principle - Sustainability. In addition, we will visit the island of Murano. This island has been famous since medieval times as the industrial center that made Venice's fine glassware. Such a craftsmanship continues to live and thrive on Murano to this day. We will cover history of glass making, influence of glass making on both the culture and the environment of the Venice Lagoon, glass chemistry and methods of glass working including furnace and lampworking, as well as health and safety concerns for glass makers and glass artists. Field studies in the glass factories and artist studios of Murano will complete the experience with the world of art glass from both scientific and artistic perspectives.

Setting Description:

Participants will stay in a small, charming hotel in Venice.

Cost:

Please contact for program costs