During this travel seminar, funded by the West Bay View Foundation, students were able to focus on the history, art, and architecture of ancient and Renaissance Rome, visiting important sites such as the Campidoglio, the Pantheon, and the Forum Romanum. Rome has been continuously inhabited for more than three millennia, and its urban fabric both reveals and conceals a unique history of occupation, destruction, reconstruction, revival, and excavation. Each student gave a short field presentation surrounding a selected monument and engaged in discussions about city's most important and lasting contributions to the history of art and architecture.
The Travel Seminar Rome: The First 2000 Years Takes on Rome!
Dr. Nathaniel Jones and Dr. William Wallace traveled to Rome, Italy with fourteen of their seminar students over spring break 2023.
Student Experiences
The trip was “thrilling and insightful because it is not often that you can travel with enthusiastic like-minded individuals”
- Harper Tooch (AM '24)
- Gloria Jin (BA '23)
"As we sat in that room in Palazzo Massimo surrounded by fresco paintings of garden scenes from the Villa of Livia, weary from a day of seeing and exploring, we were transported to a world of tranquil beauty. In that moment, we were enveloped by the vibrant blossoms, the rustling leaves, and the lively animals that leapt from the walls. It was as if the very essence of nature had been distilled and captured, reminding us of the power of art to soothe both body and soul, and the wonder that we encountered in Rome everyday. "
Meals shared among students added to the experience!
Students Ela Sutcu, Gloria Jin, Harper Tooch, and Thomas McGrath try the famous paninis by All’antico Vinaio—buon appetito!
- Oil Zhang (BA '25)
"I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to travel to Rome and immerse in the culture. It was both rewarding and fascinating to see works that I've studied for months on end."
"A memorable moment was visiting the Palazzo Altemps with Dr. Jones and seeing the Ludovisi Gaul."
- Jessica Baran (AM '23)
- Thomas McGrath (BA '25)
"Walking out of the hotel at 6 am on the first day, I saw the Trevi Fountain without any crowd in the few minutes before sunrise. It was such a peaceful and pristine atmosphere and made for a truly magical morning."