Overview
The Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome (ICCS) was established in 1965 by representatives of ten American colleges and universities; the number of member institutions has now grown to over 100. The program provides undergraduate students with an opportunity in Rome to study ancient history, archaeology, Greek and Latin literature, Italian language, and ancient art.
Academics
Academic credit: Each semester allows about fifteen weeks of instruction and provides one full semester of academic credit. Duke University provides an official Duke transcript of work completed satisfactorily. Students normally receive 4 or 5 course credits (equivalent to 16 to 20 semester hours or 24 to 30 quarter units). The curriculum is structured differently from that in many American colleges and universities. Students are expected to take four courses, which is a minimum and normal load; a few students take five courses.
A major part of the academic work is a required comprehensive and integrated course called The Ancient City. This two-credit course requires as much class and study time as two semester courses. The course covers Roman archaeology and topography, aspects of social and urban history of Rome, and Roman civilization. Frequent site visits and explorations, intensive museum tours and lectures, and wider-ranging trips based on the Professor-in-Charge's area of expertise outside Rome are included as part of the course. In the recent past, Campania and Sicily have been the focus of extended and focused study. Because The Ancient City course depends on prior knowledge of Roman history, students are expected to prepare themselves by taking a Roman history course or by careful reading on the subject.
Students are required to take at least one course in Latin or Greek as part of their ICCS course load.
For more information on academics, including course listings,
visit the ICCS Academics info page.
Student Life
More information can be found here:
http://globaled.duke.edu/Programs/Semester/ICCS_Rome
Location
Located in a four-story building on one of the main streets of the Janiculum, the Center is ten minutes by bus from the Piazza Venezia and downtown Rome. It is close to the American Academy in Rome with which it maintains cordial relations. The building is owned by the Suore Infermiere dell'Addolorata, and contains bedrooms (mostly doubles) for 36 students, classrooms, a library, offices, dining rooms, and a kitchen. Outside is a small and pleasant garden. The neighborhood is residential with apartment buildings, small shops, cafes, and services.
Housing
Students are required to reside at the Center and because the Center is small, they are housed in close proximity to each other in what can be an intense living situation. Many alumni of the Center report that this closeness allowed them to form long-lasting friendships with one another. Three meals a day are provided at the Center, Monday through Friday. Other meals are at individual student's expense and are not included in the program fees.
