Croatia, the rising star of the Mediterranean, is an oasis of untouched beauty. Its dazzling Adriatic coastline, where the legacies of Romans, Venetians and Habsburgs intermingle, is simply unique. Our six-week Croatia program is designed to provide students with a multi-disciplinary perspective on Dalmatian and Southeast European history, culture and society from the early medieval period to the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Faculty include leading specialists on the Balkans from the United States, Europe, and Croatia.

The program takes place in the cities of Dubrovnik and Split and on the island of Vis in the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik is a charming city curling around a tiny harbor. Using the city, with its red-roofed 17th-century town houses and Baroque palaces as our text, we focus on Renaissance culture and on the complex political and historical fate of the city and the Dalmatian region. Students make field trips to sites in the surrounding areas, including Montenegro, whose beautiful bays, picturesque villages and vibrant metropolises are major tourist destinations. Split has been a major urban center for more than 1700 years. The regional capital of Dalmatia, built inside and around the historical Diocletian Palace, Split is a cosmopolitan city draped in history. It is a world heritage site that weaves together imperial memories, traditional Dalmatian culture and modern urban life in its numerous cafes and open-air markets. A long excursion to Komiza on the island of Vis exposes students to the customs and seafaring culture of the Adriatic islands.

Courses take place at the IUCC, University of Zagreb, Dubrovnik campus and the University of Split, are taught by Northwestern University and European experts on architecture, art, cultural history, literature, political science, sociology, history and religion. This unforgettable experience is designed to provide students with a multi-faceted primer on Croatia, the Adriatic Sea, the former Yugoslavia and the surrounding area.

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN US

No language requirements

2 course credits

Lots of excursions

Optional 3rd independent study course available--Allows for NU financial aid and a 3rd course credit.

Central location allows for travel before and after the Program in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Great opportunity to explore the people, culture, life and history of a completely new country.

Discover the deepest blue and the most beautiful beaches of the Dalmatia.

COURSES

COMP LIT 375-z: Literature and the Arts: Dalmatia and the Mediterranean
This course focuses on the study of the concentric circles, cultural influences and borrowing centered on Dubrovnik's role as an intermediary between the Balkan hinterland and the Adriatic basin. Topics include the common roots in antiquity and early medieval Christianity, Byzantine commonwealth and the rise of the Latin West, the Renaissance and the Baroque in the shadow of Ottoman conquests, Enlightenment and the rise of national cultures, the culture of Napoleonic revolution and Byronic romanticism, and modernity and its discontents.

HISTORY 391-z: The Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia
This course is a survey of Southeast European history and society from the early medieval period to the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Topics include implications of Ottoman and Habsburg rule, nationalism and wars of independence, crises leading to the Sarajevo assassination, the interwar national question, occupation systems and Communist revolution, and contemporary politics with an emphasis on security and human rights. Specific focus is paid to the aspects leading up to the dissolution of former Yugoslavia.

There is also the option of setting up an independent research study for a third credit. Classes are in English and there is no language prerequisite.

Excursions

A guided tour of Dubrovnik ’s walled Old City where you will learn about the fascinating history of this medieval metropolis. The total circuit is nearly 2 km and from the bastions students will have magnificent views of the city’s monuments, walls and harbours. The walls as they exist in their present from date back to the 15th century. As they walk the ramparts, students will have a postcard perfect view of the various monuments and bastions of the city, including the Minceta Tower, Revelin Tower, and the might fortress of St. Lawrence with walls 12 m / 40 ft thick!

Walking tour of the historic core of the mediaeval city of Dubrovnik which is included in UNESCO`s List of World Cultural Heritage. Students will visit Rector`s Palace, the Cathedral, the Dominican monastery, the Franciscan monastery with Europe`s third oldest pharmacy, and other interesting sights.

3 day journey to the Republic of Montenegro. Cross into Montenegro from Dubrovnik and drive around the Bay of Kotor. Overnight stay in the 17th century monastery of Ostrog, that is gloriosly located above the valley of Bjelopavlici, carved in rocks as though keeping centenarian secrets of this shrine, one of the most visited in Christian world. Visit the Palace of King Nicholas and the Art Museum in Cetinje. Hike to the Mountain of Lovcen and visit the mausoleum of Petar II Petrovic Njegos. Discover Budva which is the metropolis of Montenegrin tourism and has listed among the most beautiful coasts of the world.

City tour of Split covering the Diocletian`s Palace on UNESCO`s List of World Cultural Heritage with the Peristyle, Jupiter`s Temple and the Cathedral. Built by Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the 4th century as an imperial fortified residence, it is today an intriguing maze of narrow cobblestone streets, where pre-Romanesque churches are nestled alongside Gothic chapels.

Tour of the Plitvice Lakes National Park on UNESCO´s List of World Natural Heritage. Sixteen lakes, each at the different level, joined in a series of cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense woods, Plitvice lakes are natural phenomenon of a rare and unique beauty.

A week long excursion to the Island of Vis, the beauty of limpid waters and protected submarine world rich with sunken ships and magic marine images that has been hidden for years. Sailing out to nameless bays, feel the gist of the Adriatic culture in historic ambience of mediaeval city and learn more with visits to Archaeological Museum and Museum of Fisheries.

LOGISTICS

Housing and Meals
Students will be housed in a private dormitory in Dubrovnik and the University of Split campus. The housing in Dubrovnik is a two minute walk of Dubrovnik's famous Renaissance old town, which is surrounded by its fortification wall that has been constructed over the centuries. The University of Split housing is a 15-minute walk from the 1700 year-old Diocletian Palace and center. Both facilities are a five-minute walk to the sea and beach. Students will stay in double hotel rooms while on excursions. Daily breakfasts are included in the program fee. Students should budget extra for lunches and dinners.

Flight arrangement
Students must make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Following the program's completion, students may choose to remain in Europe and return to the U.S. from a different city if they wish. Students will be responsible for arranging these details with their specific travel agents/vendors.

Program cost and financial aid

Program fee for summer 2007 is $ 7,000. This fee covers tuition for two courses, accommodation in campus housing. breakfasts, access to all university facilities, transportation, excursions and orientations.

Financial Aid
Northwestern students receiving financial aid during the academic year may be eligible for summer aid. For more information, contact the Assistant Director of Financial Services at 847.491.7400 or by email at: s-kwan@northwestern.edu. Non-Northwestern students should contact the Financial Aid office at their home institution.

For more information & application contact

Rita Koryan
Project Coordinator
Consortium for Central and Southeast European Studies
Roberta Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies
1902 Sheridan Road #102
Evanston, IL 60208-4005
Tel: 847/467-1152, Fax: 847/467-1996
e-mail: r-koryan@northwestern.edu