Explore Italy beyond the stereotypes—through the vibrant, ever-evolving lens of its cities. This course dives into the cultural history of Italy by using urban centers as storytellers, with Bologna as our home base and living classroom. From medieval alleyways to modern innovation hubs, few places reveal Italy’s layered past as vividly as its cities.
Each week you will explore a dynamic duo of Italian cities—each representing a key era from the Middle Ages, to the Renaissance, and the Post-Unification period. These urban powerhouses shaped everything from global banking to your favorite pasta sauce and sandwich filling (yes, really), and we’ll unpack how their influence rippled across the world. The Italian City 3 credit hour May 2026 program is open to all majors!