Venice Beyond the Mask

Venice Beyond the Mask is a one-credit travel seminar designed to provide direct experience and hands-on understanding of the depth of Venice’s history, art and culture, beyond the theme-park experience established in recent decades. In this sequel to WLL 263 “The Myths of Venice” and AH 251 “Between Two Worlds,” students will travel to Venice and compare the Venice in brick and mortar to modern commercial tropes framing the city, from singing gondoliers to carnival masks. Students will encounter some of the most touristic sites of the city from a fresh vantage, bringing their respective knowledge of historic framing to discuss the conflicts between Venetian mythologizing and external interpretations. The seminar’s itinerary includes: the Palazzo Ducale and the Saint Mark cathedral, Museo Correr and Ca’ Rezzonico to study the history of Venice; the Gallerie dell’Accademia, Ca’ Pesaro Museum and Peggy Guggenheim Collection to consider the evolution of the city’s pictorial tradition, and the history of collecting; the Ca’ d’oro, Fondaco dei Tedeschi, and the Rialto Bridge as architectural theater backdrops for Venetian life; and the Jewish Ghetto and the Armenian monastery of San Lazzaro as emblems of cultural segregation.

During the two-week visit to Venice and its surrounding islands, students will record their reflections in a daily journal, guided by thematic questions borne from on-site class discussions. Further, each student will present on a topic pre-assigned before the end of the spring term. This format provides space for independent research and one-on-one meetings with the student’s respective professor prior to travel abroad.

In Venice, students will present directly on a topic to the class, lead the class in visual and contextual analyses, and receive constructive criticism from classmates to improve presentation skills. Ultimately, this excursion instills in-depth analytical interpretation through the rare opportunity of on-site investigation.

Learning Goals

Students in this travel seminar will develop the skills to:

• examine the dominant features that characterize the historical and artistic uniqueness
  of Venice;
• develop critical, visual analysis skills through in-person learning;
• strengthen presentation skills, and hone the ability to offer constructive feedback; and
• transform pre-existing notions concerning the city of Venice through informed perspectives.

Sample Itinerary*

Day 1: Depart New York City airport for Venice, Italy

Day 2: Arrive in Venice, boat to hotel and group dinner

Day 3: Center and Stage: San Marco

Day 4: Segregation (Jewish Ghetto, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, San Marco)

Day 5: Belonging (Scuola di San Rocco, Basilica dei Frari, Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, Scuola Grande di San Marco)

Day 6: Art on Display (Museo Correr and Ca'Rezzonico, Accademia, Ca' d'Oro)

Day 7: Grand Tour on the Brenta River

Day 8: The Venetian Islands 

Day 9: Biennale 

Day 10: Twentieth Century Tourism (Ca' Pesaro Museum, Peggy Guggenheim collection, concert)

Day 11: Venice in the New Millennium

Day 12: Departure for New York City

*subject to change

Important Information

Dates: May 20 - 31, 2024

Corequisite: Students will enroll in AH 251C: Between the Two Worlds: Medieval and Renaissance Venice or WLL 263A: The Myths of Venice: Mythical Venice(s)

Credits: 3 credits for either AH 251C or WLL 263A and 1 credit for TX200A. 

Program Fee: The anticipated fee is $4,200 - 5,000 (depending on enrollment). The program fee includes Skidmore tuition; round-trip airfare between New York area airport and Venice, Italy; ground transportation for program excursions; on-site accommodations in shared rooms; some meals; international medical insurance; entrance fees; excursions and activities, and Skidmore faculty. Financial aid is available for eligible students. If students do not hold a US passport, there might be visa costs associated with their participation. Please check with OCSE if you have questions regarding visas. 

Meals and Accommodation: Students will stay in double rooms in local hotels. Some group meals are included and students will receive a meal stipend for additional meals.

Flights: Roundtrip airfare from a New York City area airport to Venice, Italy is included in the program fee. Students are required to make their own way to/from New York City. 

Application Process: The deadline for applications is October 15, 2023 Students are required to apply for Travel Seminars through the MyOCSE portal.  Applications will be reviewed and students will be notified of acceptances before spring 2024 course registration. Students will then be required to register for AH 251C or WLLF 263A for the spring 2024 semester.

Questions? 

Stop by the OCSE office (Starbuck 202) or contact Erin Giffin or Barbara Garbin directly.