UTK Roman and Medieval Era Construction
Program Description
Study abroad course focused on construction methodologies used during the Roman and Medieval Eras. Exploration of Roman construction techniques will occur in Rome while visiting locations such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Aqueducts, Roman Bridges, and Domus Aurea. Exploration of Medieval construction technologies will occur primarily in Florence, and include visiting Orvieto, Pisa, the Florence Duomo, and other medieval constructions in Florence.
Additional Program Highlights
- Guided Visit to the City Center
- Tour of The Colosseum
- Tour of The Domus Aurea
- Guided Visit to the Bridges in Rome
- Guided Visit to the Aqueducts
- Visit Orvieto St. Patrick’s Well
- Visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Tour of the Florence Dome and Museum
- Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Guided Visit to the Bridges in Florence
- Participate in a cooking class
Study abroad course focused on construction methodologies used during the Roman and Medieval Eras. Exploration of Roman construction techniques will occur in Rome while visiting locations such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Aqueducts, Roman Bridges, and Domus Aurea. Exploration of Medieval construction technologies will occur primarily in Florence, and include visiting Orvieto, Pisa, the Florence Duomo, and other medieval constructions in Florence.
Course Dates: January 7-19, 2026
Application Deadline: Rolling, contact faculty leaders to apply
Course: UTK Credit
Course:
CSM 480 — Roman and Medieval Era Construction Methodologies
3 credit hours
Academic Information
The purpose of the course will be to examine the methodologies of construction during the Roman era in Rome, Italy and the methodologies of construction during the Medieval Era in Florence, Italy. In both locations and both eras, we will discuss the selection of materials, use and type of construction equipment, labor force, and other elements critical to the completion of example buildings such as the Coliseum, the Domus Aurea, and the Duomo. The course will be a 3-week winter mini-term course first offered for WMT2026, via the CSM 480 course number. 2 weeks of the mini-term will be in Italy, and 1 week will be an online, synchronous class to prepare students for the trip and to allow for instruction from the instructor of record.
Students who successfully complete the program will receive a total of three UTK credits.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Pre-requisite courses: CSM 125, CSM 211
- At least 30 credit hours completed
- Undergraduate student of at least sophomore standing
- Must be in Good Academic Standing and Good Conduct Standing with The University of Tennessee.
- Must attend all program meetings
Current costs are still to be determined, please come back later or reach out to the course contacts for more information.
