Learn…

History and Culture of Venice

Three Credits    
Instructed by FVCC Art Instructor John Rawlings
 
January 17 — January 29  
Monday — Friday (Six hours per day)
 
Location:  Citywide Venice, lagoon islands, Veneto region
 
Required text/supplies:  “Venice from the Ground Up,” “Eyewitness Guide to Venice,” Map of region, notebook, pens and pencils
 
Recommended reading/supplies:  “Watermark,” “Venice, the Tourist Maze,” “City of Falling Angels” and any books by author Donna Leon.
 
Supplies:  journal, camera
 
Course Description
This course examines the evolution of both the physical and cultural aspects of Venice, Italy. This course begins with an exploration of the geography of the islands that comprise the city and the lagoon that surrounds it. Visiting historic sites will allow students first-hand insights into the story of Venice. Most of the lectures will be conducted outside of the classroom. Students will study the history of Venice from 400 BCE to the present with an emphasis on the evolution of cultural and technological elements of modern Venetian life.
 
Classes/lectures will consist of walking tours in and around Venice including visits to the following sites:

• Burano/Lace Museum
• Murano/Glass Museum and glass-blowing demonstration/church of S. Pietro Martire and S. Maria e Donato
• Arsenale/Naval Museum/Forcola and oar workshop/Gondola ride
• San Lazzaro/Armenian Monastery
• Doge’s Palace/Secret Itinerary Tour
• Ca’ Rezzonico
• Museo Correr and Orologio
• The six sestieres (Cannaregio, San Marco, San Polo, Santa Croce, Castello, Dorsoduro) Giudecca
• The Lido
• San Michele/Cemetery
• Torcello/Cathedral and Museum
• Piazza San Marco
• Jewish Ghetto District/tour of Sinagogues
• Churches:  Frari, Madonna dell’ Orto, SS Giovanni e Paolo, Campanile of S. Giorgio, S. Nicolo Mendicoli, S. Polo, Gesuati, S. Marco, S. Pietro