Pictured from left: Erica Rice, Hayley Lundblad, Rod Miller, Jerry Thomeczek
Photo by Lexi Adams

Art History with Rod Miller

We asked:
Erica Rice (Bryn Mawr College) and Lexi Adams (Hendrix College)

What has been your favorite moment in class so far?
Erica: Since our class has been focusing on Renaissance and Baroque Art in Italy, part of our class hours included a field trip to Florence. Our visit to the Uffizi was absolutely breathtaking. Happening upon the masterpieces we had talked about in class as we wandered through the museum was unbelievable, and the context we had gained from our discussions in class made the experience all the more valuable.
Lexi: I think my favorite moment of class was traveling to Florence in the early morning and jumping around from church to museum to view all of the famous works of Renaissance Art and Architecture about which we had been reading. It was certainly daunting to fit so much excitement into one day, but it was worth it to see the stunning paintings and sculptures in person.

How does this class compare to your expectations?
Erica: This is my first Art History class, so I didn’t really know what to expect. However, I knew that Italy would be a fabulous place to study this subject due to this country’s deep cultural roots in the visual arts. I was especially excited to visit the well-known museums of Florence, but what really surprised me was how much important art there was to see right here in Arezzo!
Lexi: The little Art History education I’d received in high school was less than exciting, to say the least. So even though I’d heard great things about my professor, Rod Miller, back at Hendrix, I was nervous that this class would mimic that experience. I’m happy to say that my worries were for naught! I love that our small class size of five students allows for a relaxed classroom environment that features both lecture and discussion. I also very much enjoy our frequent “field trips” into town to see Arezzo’s many frescoes and altar pieces. All in all, I’m grateful for the unique style of this class!

Tell us something interesting about your professor!
Erica: Professor Rod Miller has very particular tastes in art — getting to be in Italy and focusing on the Renaissance is certainly his cup of tea! His many years of teaching have culminated to create a unique perspective, and his lectures invite us to look at these iconic artists and works of art in a whole new light.
Lexi: “Doc Rod” Miller never hesitates to provide a welcoming space for our class during treks through the sweltering heat into town, or to PAM, the local supermarket. He and his family have opened up their temporary home here in Arezzo as an oasis of air conditioning, free WiFi, and tea with cookies for all who pass by. Also, I would not be surprised if by the end of the term, he has hunted and captured his very own wild boar from the fields by his house!

Pictured: Shannon Dempsey
Photo by Lexi Adams

Basic Italian with Annalisa Innocenti

We asked:
Shannon Dempsey (University of Rochester)

What has been your favorite moment in class so far?
Shannon: We watched a short film in class comparing the culture in Italy to the rest of Europe. In addition to being funny and cute, it offered insight into the culture that we students are currently getting to experience. The film highlighted a few Italian stereotypes, such as that Italians are aggressive drivers, don’t form queues the way we do in American, and are very particular when it comes to their taste in coffee. It also touched on some more serious topics. For instance, I learned that the politicians tend to hold their seats in the government for as long as they can, and that the Italian people are very patriotic while still being suspicious of their government. I want to spend the last of my time here being exposed to this different way of thinking and living as much as possible. Italy is a beautiful country, and I hope I can return at some point to experience even more!

How does this class compare to your expectations?
Shannon: It’s definitely a bit more accelerated than I expected, which has been quite the interesting challenge! We’re learning an entire semester’s worth of Italian in four weeks, which means that Annalisa has to keep things moving fairly rapidly. Being so quickly immersed in the language makes it all the more exciting when you hear Italian people use words you recognize from class! I most certainly won’t be fluent by the time I leave, but I’d definitely say this experience has been enriching and worthwhile.

Tell us something interesting about your professor!
Shannon: Our class is so small that it almost sounds like the beginning of a joke: “An Italian, A Chinese person, and an American walk into a mensa…” The intimate atmosphere and the fact that we only speak in Italian makes the learning much easier than it would otherwise be. Annalisa’s way of teaching is great for me, because she pushes us to be better every day. She lives in Arezzo, in a neighborhood that we can see from the window of the cafeteria. Despite the fact that the three of us each has our own mother language, the class has a great atmosphere.

Pictured: Melanie Ottino
Photo by Melanie Ottino

Intermediate Italian with Christina Glokovski

We asked:
Melanie Ottino (University of Rochester)

What has been your favorite moment in class so far?
Melanie: When you have a teacher who is as fun and humorous as mine, it’s impossible to choose just one! However, I absolutely love the games we play between all of the classic academic activities. We dance, we sing, we compete with vigor for the glory of winning Italian scrabble, and most importantly, we laugh.

How does this class compare to your expectations?
Melanie: It has undeniably exceeded my expectations about how a language class functions. For the duration of each class period, we speak only in Italian. This can be difficult, but it is the most effective way to learn and I am so grateful for the challenge.

Tell us something interesting about your professor!
Melanie: Christina is the absolute best! I’ve never had a teacher create truly enjoyable games that are simultaneously educational. In addition to being stylish, hilarious, and intelligent, she is also (in my humble, unbiased opinion) the best Italian teacher in the world.