Millikin University | International Programs

(click above for map of all Europe)

Paris

Alps seen from Leysin, Switzerland

Italy (near Venice)

We are calling this the Grand Tour on the Cheap, a reference to the educational travels of young British upper-class men between the late 1600's and into the 1800's.

When: May 21 through June 10, 2007. Spend three weeks trekking from Paris to Rome. Along the way, we'll see sights that lead to a deeper understanding of France, Switzerland and Italy. City stops include Paris, Geneva, Lausanne, Leysin, Bain de Lavey, Venice, Florence, Sienna and Rome. Possible other cities to be added. Learn how to find deals that save you time and money while traveling. We'll spend time in major sites, but also get into neighborhoods and communities and learn what makes each culture unique.

Instructor: Jana Henry, Assistant Professor/Costume Director, Department of Theatre & Dance
217-424-6372 jhenry@millikin.edu

Costs: $3,545. This includes tuition (IN350, 3 credits) $795.00 , airfare $600.00, housing $800, transportation in Europe $350, (Some of these costs may change before deposit deadline.), meals $800, and museums etc. $200. Deposit of $500 due by Feb. 26, 2007. Additional personal expenses (souvenirs etc): approx. $300.

Our Grand Tour of cultural and historical exposure will have a particular focus on what makes each country unique. The curriculum will include relevant readings, written reactions, and a concluding summary reaction paper.

Each country we will visit has a different culture and social structure, yet we tend to lump them all together as "Europe". While there are commonalities, there are also great differences in history and culture that will make each a unique and exciting stop on our tour.

It is the intent of the tour that you will have your eyes opened to the history of each country and the changes that all societies go through over time. The Switzerland portion will be about seeing another point of view; whether you agree with it or not is going to be the basis of a lot of good discussions!

France (République française)

Switzerland (Schweiz, Suisse, Svizzera)
Confoederatio Helvetica = ch country symbol

Italy (Italia)

Primary sources and related activities in each country will include:

France: Versailles, Cafe Society, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Musee de Orsay.
- What can we learn from the history of France? The life of the monarchy, the thought process and emotions behind the revolution. We will compare the situation in France pre-revolution to political situations all over the globe in the present day.
- We will also be looking at France as a society of art and thought: what social climate produces artists, movements and artistic statements that challenge and change the way we look at our world?
Switzerland: UN, Red Cross/Crescent, Olympic Museum, Leysin American School.
- Internationalism is a big talking point for the US right now, but how does it work in a society that has used it as a basis of thought for centuries? What does "neutral" really mean? What gain or loss has come to Switzerland because of its stance? What is it to be Swiss? Why is it so difficult to become a Swiss citizen?
- We will be meeting with Swiss nationals and expatriates from all over the world to gain a perspective. We will also spend time working at an international boarding school and getting to know and talk to students who represent 49 countries. You will be able to talk to high school students from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, China, and other vilified countries and see their sides of controversies.
- We will be learning about much more of the world than just Switzerland in these conversations, but we will be able to relate it back to what makes Switzerland unique in Europe.
Venice: The Doge's Palace, Piazzo San Marco, Bridge of Sighs, and many others.
- We will be looking at what makes Venice such a legendary city. The power of the city throughout history, the romance of Casanova, the center of Italian glass making and how all of that has been translated into a tourist Mecca. How does a society survive over many centuries and evolve and adapt to the world around it? What happens when it doesn't?
The curriculum will include relevant readings, written reactions, and a concluding summary reaction paper.

The most common itinerary of the Grand Tour began in Dover, England, and crossed the English Channel to Calais in France. From there the tourist, usually accompanied by a tutor ..., set off for Paris. ... From Paris he would typically go to Geneva and experience Switzerland for a while. Then ... move on to Venice ... . Travel ... was an obligation for the person who wanted to further develop the mind and expand knowledge. [Wikipedia entry with bibliography and links, accessed Oct. 12, 2006.] See more at the Timeline of Art History by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York .

	Millikin University International Programs Karin Borei, Director of International Programs email: kborei@mail.millikin.edu	Office: Staley Library 105 telephone (217) 424-6387
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