Academics

Courses & Academic Focus

While abroad, you’ll take three introductory-level core courses, a one-credit college success seminar, and choose an additional 3-credit elective OR an optional 4-credit Italian language class. This results in a total of 13 credits, or 14 credits for those who select the Italian language class option.

The courses you take in Florence count for general education college credit and are guaranteed to count as home credit at Wells College. Courses will also likely count as transfer credit—and fulfill core general education requirements—at other institutions, but this is subject to the transfer institution’s credit evaluation process.

Each course will include active learning opportunities which take advantage of Florence as the students’ classroom. Classes have been developed specifically for our first-year students and will be offered at the CEA academic study center in the heart of the city.

See below for a list of the courses you will take during your first semester:

Core Classes

These are mandatory for all participants:

WELLS 100 / UNIV 100: College Success Seminar (1 credit)
ENG 101: First Year Composition / College Writing Skills (3 credit, 45 contact hours)
PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology (3 credit, 45 contact hours)
PHIL 100: Introduction to Philosophy (3 credit, 45 contact hours)

ELECTIVE

You'll choose one of the following electives* (or the Italian language class option listed below):

SOC 210: Understanding Contemporary Italy (3 credit, 45 contact hours)
FLM 210: Modern Italian Cinema (3 credit, 45 contact hours)

*Note: in the event minimum enrollment numbers are not met for both elective courses, the group may be combined and only one elective offered.

LANGUAGE

Students may individually choose to enroll in Italian Language (4 credits, 60 contact hours) in place of their one elective course

ITAL Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced Italian** (4 credit 60 contact hours)

** A placement test is offered prior to course enrollment. If you already have some language proficiency, you will be placed with other students at your ability level.

Check out sample course descriptions. Syllabi available upon request.

Our academic partners in Florence are authorized by the Ministry of Public Education in Italy and are accredited members of many European and international educational organizations. Wells College in Florence is an official branch campus recognized by the College’s accrediting body, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The degrees offered by Wells College in Florence are U.S. university degrees granted with all the same rights and privileges as those issued at the main Wells College campus in Aurora, N.Y.

Explore the Wells College First Semester in Florence Program

Questions?

You can contact Amy Torea, Wells in Florence Program Coordinator, at florence@wells.edu or call 315.364.3291 for more information.