European Study

ART 4381: Special Topics in Art: The Grand Tour - European Arts and Cultural Studies
This course will consider the visual arts and culture of the various sites we will be visiting throughout the program. Students will receive the opportunity to attend lectures on site, viewing works of art and architecture in person. The class will cover the study of works from ancient to modern Italy, early modern Germany, France and England. Through firsthand observation, students will appreciate works of art and architecture not only for their formal qualities, but also the historical and contextual information they provide. Several topics and methods the course will consider include issues of repatriation, polychromy and race, religion and politics, gender studies, and institutional critique.

HIST 4381: Special Topics in History: European Civilization & Culture
This course will explore the origins and development of European civilization and culture from the Roman Republic to the present. Students will think critically about the concept of “Europe” as both an ideological framework and geographical space and how this has changed over time. Additionally, students will evaluate the role that European civilization and culture plays in shaping the world around them today. This course will allow students the opportunity to visit important historical sites from major periods in European history such as the Roman Republic and Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Reformation, the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, the Revolutionary and Industrial eras of the 19th century, and both World Wars. Students will be able to engage in individual presentations throughout the program at various sites and produce a research project upon returning.

All travel arrangements will be made by the faculty directors and approved by the university. Students will be extensively briefed prior to departure regarding travel arrangements and schedules with addresses and telephone numbers given to each participant.

All program participants must have adequate health and accident insurance coverage in case of medical issues or emergencies. Students will be required to obtain health insurance that will provide medical and related benefits. The CIS will ensure that all students have completed their study abroad paperwork prior to departure.

Detailed Itinerary will be available to participants in Blackboard.

To be eligible for this program, undergraduate students must meet these requirements:

• Completed at least 24 credit hours of coursework in residence or by transfer at the time of application. Dual credit hours do not count toward this total.
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 at the time of application

This program will be co-led by Drs. Rebekah McMillan and Caroline Koncz. Both Dr. McMillan and Dr. Koncz are experts within the fields of European history and art history, and both have extensive experience traveling in Europe for their own research as well as personal travel.

Dr. McMillan is an Assistant Professor of History in the Dr. Arnoldo De Leon Department of History. She specializes in modern European history and teaches a number of courses at Angelo State including the World History and US History survey as well as specialty courses in early modern and modern European history. Her research focuses on the history of poverty and social welfare during the nineteenth century within a transnational context, looking specifically at relationships, ideas, and solutions shared between Germany, Great Britain, and the United States. Her work has been supported by a host of organizations including the Central European History Society, the German Historical Institute, and the Transatlantic Studies Association. Study Abroad was instrumental in shaping the personal, intellectual, and career trajectory for Dr. McMillan and she hopes to be able to recreate that experience for Angelo State students.

Dr. Caroline Koncz is an Assistant Professor of Art History in the Visual and Performing Arts Department at ASU. Her research focuses on issues of gender and sexuality studies in early modern Italy. Her work has recently been supported by grants from the Delmas Foundation, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Italian Art Society and the Kress Foundation. Prof. Koncz teaches a number of classes at Angelo State, including the Surveys of Art History as well as specialty courses in the medieval and early modern periods. She is excited at the chance to co-lead her first study abroad class next summer with Prof. McMillan!